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Difference between Distance Education VS. Traditional Education
These days, the internet has grown into a veritable wealth of information for college seekers. Everything from applying for financial aid to taking a course can be accomplished online. Now, a student can even obtain online degrees from one of many schools offering online education as a viable alternative to a traditional classroom education. How different are these two methods of teaching, and do either prove better for the student? There’s an abundance of information regarding online education, and distance education is becoming increasingly popular for students everywhere.
First and foremost, there are some obvious benefits in obtaining online degrees. For example, juggling a job, school and a home can be very difficult as far as commuting to the classroom every day. With online education, you eliminate the need to attend classes, and instead access your coursework from an internet website. This presents an obvious benefit to the overworked college student because his commute is basically slashed in half. What’s more, many distance education programs allow students to complete the coursework any time during the day, while still adhering to overall deadlines. This allows for flexibility that a traditional classroom setting can ordinarily not provide.
However, is an online education truly comparable to the type of education a student would receive in an actual classroom? Many professionals in the field say yes, and certainly students seeking online degrees can confirm this response. Not only does online learning provide a stimulating environment for students, but it promotes even interaction among every student because everyone has a say in classroom discussions. What’s more, online education programs allow each student to learn with the methods that work best for them. Plus, many employers respect online degrees as much as a traditional college degree, so there’s really no difference in the amount of education or respect a student will receive when attending an online college.
While traditional colleges will never be eliminated, there’s definitely been an increase in the amount of students attending online colleges in recent years. Many people choose to follow the online education route for the diversity of material they can find, or because the teachers are more approachable via the internet than they would be in a classroom setting. Students definitely need discipline and self-motivation to succeed in obtaining life experience online degrees, but there’s still the same level of help and support from teachers and students online that there would be in a classroom. What’s more, internet college students are learning skills that will be beneficial to them in the workforce and beyond because of the way technology is evolving today.
Online degrees are becoming an increasingly popular way to obtain a college education and many students are turning to online education because of the quality of material, convenience and the level of flexibility inherent in distance education programs. Because there’s no distinct differences between an online education and a traditional education, students are assured they are receiving the same kind of education that they would in a brick and mortar setting. There are definite benefits to online degree programs, and students with discipline and motivation can and will succeed greatly in online education programs.
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Distance Education: Educational Revolution or Hype?
What is distance learning? Is it an educational revolution as some people proclaim, or is it overblown hype of another learning method? Perhaps a good place to answer this question is with a dictionary definition. The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language defines distance learning as "Education in which students take academic courses by accessing information and communicating with the instructor asynchronously over a computer network. Also called distance education."
O.K. that's a good start, but what exactly does it mean? How does "communicating with the instructor asynchronously" have anything to do with an educational revolution? To answer that, let's examine distance learning a little more closely.
Asynchronous is a word that means "out of sync" or "something that does not occur at regular or predetermined intervals." Applied to education, it simply means that teaching and learning do not happen at the same time. Therefore communicating "asynchronously" over a computer network does not require the simultaneous participation of instructors and students. With distance learning, teacher and students are separated by time and space-literally, "at a distance."
This is certainly a revolutionary departure from traditional education. Since students do not need to meet together with the instructor in the same location at the same time, they are not bound by the constraints of rigid class times and meeting places. Asynchronous e-learning communication gives students greater flexibility to study at a time and place that best fits into their schedules.
Although the term distance learning is often used interchangeably with distance education, there is a subtle but distinct difference between the two. It could be said that they are really opposite sides of the same coin. The difference between the two is emphasis. Distance learning is student-centered instruction, with emphasis placed on the learner and the learning process. Distance education on the other hand, is teacher-centered instruction, with emphasis placed more on the teacher and instructional process.
The massive increase in popularity of distance e-learning is due at least in part to the unparalleled flexibility and convenience it affords students. With distance learning, a student no longer needs to be held back from educational goals by job, family responsibilities, or any number of other obstacles that may have prevented continuing education in the past.
Distance learning courses can supplement or even replace traditional education programs. For example, if a desired course is not offered locally, it's likely the student can enroll in the course online, even if the course is offered by a school far removed from where the student lives. For people who live in remote locations, are incarcerated, or have physical disabilities or other limitations that prevent attendance at a traditional school campus, distance learning may be the only viable option for continuing education.
While differences in delivery methods, timing, and location of instruction may be revolutionary, there is little or no difference between the curriculum in distance learning and traditional education. Distance learning outcomes generally equal that of traditional campus-based education. Although instruction is asynchronous, the overall time frame for instruction closely mirrors that of the traditional classroom setting. E-learning students often use the same textbooks and other materials as the traditional classroom. Upon graduation there is no distinction made on college transcripts as to whether the course is traditional or online.
Is distance learning an educational revolution, or is it just a way to hype another learning method? The answer may not be so obvious to the casual observer, but for online students the answer is crystal clear. With just a computer and internet access, millions of students around the world who might not otherwise be able to continue their education can do so with distance learning programs. For these students, distance learning is indeed an educational opportunity of revolutionary proportions.
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Direct Distance Education: Five Things to Consider Before You Enroll
Today's internet technology has opened up a whole new world of learning possibilities for the continuing education student. In the past, campus-based "brick-and-mortar" schools were the traditional path for continuing education, but it's clear that - as in the words of Bob Dylan - "the times they are a-changing." Direct distance education provides students who might not otherwise be able to go to school with a way to continue their education online. If you are thinking about going back to school to further your education, there are at least five things to consider before enrolling in any program.
1. First, you must decide if an e-learning program is right for you. Education is a big investment in terms of time and expense, so it's important to carefully weigh the advantages and disadvantages of online courses to see how well it will fit within your educational goals.
2. Do research to find the right online program. There are many websites that offer free information and services to help you find a good online school. It's important that you find the school with a program that will fit your specific needs. With so many available programs out there, you should commit some time to do this successfully.
3. Don't settle for a program that doesn't fit your needs. If the online school you want to attend does not offer the exact program you are looking for, you needn't be discouraged. There are numerous colleges offering e-learning courses, so it's a near certainty that the right program is probably offered by another school somewhere else. Do a little more research until you find a program that is just right for you and meets your educational goals.
4. Dedicate a space and time for learning. Online education gives a student a lot of flexibility with respect to how, when, and where to study. But with that flexibility comes additional responsibility to plan ahead. A student can easily get caught up in his daily activities and completely neglect required class participation and assignment due dates. It's important to plan a schedule each week to include a place and time for lectures and assignments. Failure to do this may spell disaster for the unwary student.
5. Plan to succeed. You need to make up your mind from the very beginning that you will succeed in your educational pursuit. Failing to plan is planning to fail. If you truly desire to take your education to the next level, then it's up to you to make it happen. Don't quit when things get challenging. Don't throw in the towel when the subject matter is so boring you can hardly stand it. Persist, persevere, and push through to the very end. When you have your degree or diploma in hand, you'll be glad you did!
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