Pros and Cons of Distance Learning

Distance Education Online Articles : Pros and Cons of Distance Learning by Alan Kenyon

Have you been looking into improving your education but can't quite decide whether a distance learning home study course or evening classes at a nearby college would be best for you. You have more than likely heard a wide range of opinions, both positive and negative.

There has always been a lot of rumour and misinformations floating around that distance learning schools are scams devised to separate naive folks from their money. Another bit of propaganda is that employers largely pass off the diplomas they offer as fluff. Despite the fact that most of these statements are nothing more than urban legends or myth, there is nevertheless some truth to them.

Let us examine some of the facts.

No doubt, you have read stories about politicians or prominent business people who have paid good money for their higher education degrees from a diploma mill. The media milk the story for all it is worth and then it is back to normal business after a few days. Although this does happen from time to time, more often than not, this is not the case.

What is most important of a distance-learning establishment is that the institution has been accredited. Degrees and diplomas from accredited institutions are readily accepted by employers as legitimate. At the end of the day, the employer will have no idea that you obtained your diploma through a home study course rather than a classroom education, that is unless you tell them. What they will know is that you successfully completed the course and all of the other requirements for your degree. Chances are that the employer will not ask to see your diploma and even if they do, there is nothing printed on it.

Something else that you may think or have been told about distance learning is that it is easier than sitting in a classroom. There is no truth in this. In fact, home study may actually be more of a challenge for some students because of the self-discipline involved. At the end of the day, the course is going to cover the same material whether you study at home or in a classroom. That is what academic accreditation is there for.

You should also remember that your assigned tutor will be an important part of how quickly and how much you learn. Just as you would ask other students at a college for their views on instructors, you should do the same research on your distance learning instructors. They all have histories and reputations.

Will your credits transfer from school to school?

At the end of the day, there is little or no difference between distance learning and a bricks and mortar campus on this matter. Accreditation is the key in this circumstance. On the assumption that both your distance learning institution and your new school are both accredited, your official transcript will go through the same review process. It is quite possible that most but not all credits will transfer. Yet again, accreditation is the important thing to research before you begin any distance learning course.

Will I complete my degree requirements at the same pace as traditional class study?

It all depends on the type of person you are and your own personal learning pace. The benefit in this area is that you are not delegated to a classroom pace. You will find that you can breeze through subjects that you find easy but not so quickly on other things. Just remember - Distance learning puts you are in control.

About the Author
For more information on the Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning visit Distance Learning Guide, a popular site for people from all walks of life looking to better their education through Home Study Distance Learning Courses.

Source: http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=603144