Distance Learning As An Education Choice

Educatioin Online Articles : Distance Learning As An Education Choice by Deanna Mascle

Many people have a need and would benefit greatly from advancing their education. Since life prevents many people from becoming fulltime students, many turn to distance learning to further themselves.

There are many institutions that currently offer distance learning courses, and while quality will vary, advancing your education can never hurt. There are several different types of distance learning courses that both traditional and non-traditional students use to fit education into their hectic lifestyle. The purpose of distance learning is to connect instructors and students across a large distance, but the format and scheduling used can have a large impact on the learning experience.

E learning courses are distance learning courses that are conducted online. One of the big advantages of e learning courses is that they are considered to be 'open study' courses. Open study means that you are responsible for getting online and finding the information and readings you need on your own time, instead of having to meet for class at a certain time or place.

Some distance learning courses require students to commute to a classroom on a nearby campus where they will receive instruction and lectures indirectly. The most common format is a classroom with a TV that is either connected to a live feed where the teacher resides, or a recorded lesson is played. Many towns and cities with mid to large colleges, will broadcast certain classes over public access channels so that students can receive lectures and class information from the comfort of their home. One advantage of broadcasting lessons over public access television is that with a VCR or Tivo, you can record the lesson and watch or rewatch the lesson when you have time or if you do not understand a particular point. Having lessons recorded can be a valuable tool when studying for a test since you can watch the actual lecture again or review certain points.

Although distance learning has caught on and is heavily used by non-traditional students who have day jobs and a busy lifestyle, many high schools are taking advantage of distance learning as well. The reason behind this is because the school does not have to hire another teacher, therefore high schools can gain access to extremely skilled and knowledgeable teachers through distance learning courses. It can also allow high schools to offer specialized classes and develop high caliber programs that can delve deeply into a particular field. This is particularly useful for rural school districts that may have difficulty attracting and paying for the best teachers, but with distance learning classes, they can provide their students with instruction from the best available instructors.

The increasing availability of distance learning courses is allowing many people (who would not be able to do so otherwise) to attain or finish a degree or become certified. As more and more people become comfortable with the internet and the need for skilled workers increases, you can be sure that distance learning will become more prevalent.

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