What are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Education?

As we know, Technology has indeed shrunk the world. Technology has influenced every aspect of our daily lives. No one remained untouched by this revolution. However, in this article, we will discuss one aspect where technology has made a big change and that is distance education.

Now you can sit in a distant area of ​​a country and learn everything as if you are sitting in a college class. Distance education has certainly changed the way we view higher education. It is a growing event around the world and people are keen to learn more about it.

You should know the advantages and disadvantages of Distance Education before deciding to join distance education.

Advantages of Distance Education

Distance education is an educational platform that offers many benefits to the student. Distance education provides opportunities to learners who are independent of time and place. Students can know when it is convenient for them and eliminate the need for commuting, saving time and money that would have been spent driving back and forth. The skills required to use the Internet and computers can be transferred to other aspects of a better life. Another advantage given by distance education is that it allows for self-paced learning. Students can learn on their terms to reduce stress.

You can study from Anywhere, Anytime

The good thing about distance education is that you can learn it from anywhere and at any time. It does not matter what part of the country you are living in, it does not matter and you can start learning. Even if your course is offered by an international school, you can easily get access to the course material if you are a citizen of a different country. Get all the knowledge and training wherever you are on the planet. While pursuing distance education, one does not need to live in the same city or the same country to go to the educational institution of one choice. Anyone can study from anywhere.

It is Flexible

The flexibility Distance Education provides to students is equivalent to none. People who may have trouble being a traditional organization such as a stay-at-home mother, full-time worker, or member of the military. Many online education programs allow you to work at your own pace, allowing you to fit your education into your program. Generally, distance learning provides the flexibility of time. This gives complete freedom to choose your own time to take the course.

If you do not have time in the day then you can learn at night or any other time because the only thing you need is a computer with an internet connection. You are not required to go in person and submit anything. Time is the most important thing and you can save it by joining distance education.

Time-Saving

Distance education, as the word suggests, does not require traffic. This saves money and time that will be spent on back and forth travel.

Comfort Level

Distance education provides a person with a comfort level that no one else can attain. From time to time, one can do his work. Some classrooms do not have good seating and other basic facilities that can make the classroom a difficult practice. Whereas at home one can sit anywhere as per his choice.

Technological Facilitation 

The extended use of the internet has facilitated Distance Education in more than one way. Not only can study materials be obtained through the Internet, but they can also apply and get admission to the institutions of their choice. Online software and programs somewhat mimic classroom settings. Many degrees are available by distance programs, including high school, college, and post-graduate diplomas. There are now distance education options for almost every career option.

Also read How Does Technology Benefit Young Children’s Education?

Beneficial for Slow Learners

For Slow Learners, this saves them from the trouble they may face as stoopids and harassment and humiliation at the hands of students and teachers. This results in reducing stress and enhancing satisfaction.

Cost Factor

More often than not, distance education is significantly cheaper than attending a traditional college. Not only are the classes affordable, but you can learn from the comfort of your home and don't have to pay for room and board or transportation.

Easy Availability 

Most educational institutions usually have a distance education directorate. These facilitate the organization and the process of distance education as a viable option.

Visible Efforts

Students pursuing distance education are mostly present in front of their parents and the parents are well aware that their ward is studying. On the other hand, in a regular setup parents cannot anticipate the efforts that their wards put into advancing education.

Lesser or Nill Distractions

Distance learning is also less distracting and focuses only on the academic aspect. While regular education has many deflections such as peer pressure, self-consciousness, dressing methods, status issues, etc., these defeat the real purpose of education.

Disadvantages of Distance Education

The technology has the potential to be complex and scary for some users, which can be seen as a disadvantage of distance education. Those using distance education must either own a computer or use a computer that is connected to the Internet, creating additional costs. Another drawback of distance education is that immediate responses are not offered, questions that would otherwise be addressed in the classroom are not able to be answered immediately. Distance learning programs are always offered the required courses, aspects of certain classes the learner needs to be in a physical classroom. In addition, there is a lack of opportunity to work on oral communication skills and, therefore, distance learning is another disadvantage.

Lack or loss of Interaction

Distance learning suffers from a major shortage and is the lack or loss of interaction with other students in the classroom. The worst thing about distance education is that you cannot interact with your college professor or teachers. In fact, you cannot talk to friends and other colleagues that you do in a normal college course. You seriously miss the human aspect because you only engage with technology and machines. You will not be able to mingle socially with your friends and enjoy normal college life.

Also, if you have any doubt then you have to clean yourself without the help of your teacher or friends. Such interactions develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Although many distance learning programs have developed online forums or chat rooms to share and communicate ideas to students, this is a partial option for the interactions you get in the classroom with teachers and students.

Narrow choice

Distance education does not always offer all the required courses. Students pursuing a specific certificate or degree program may not have all the required courses available through distance education, so it is not suited for all subjects. While one may study a history lesson entirely online or otherwise, a nursing clinical may not perform online. In such a situation, physical class attendance is mandatory to complete the course.

Lack of opportunities to develop Oral Communication Skills

Distance learning does not allow students to work on oral communication skills. In distance education courses, students do not get to practice oral interaction with professors and other students.

Acknowledgment Factor

Distance education is not necessarily accepted by all employers. Although most employers accept distance education, some employers do not. Students who wish to work for a specific employer upon graduation must be sure of the employer's view of online education.

Delayed Feedback

Distance education does not provide an immediate response. In a typical classroom setting, a student's performance can be quickly assessed through questions and informal testing. With distance learning, a student has to wait for a response until the instructor has reviewed their work and responded to it.

Hidden Costs 

Some institutions try to rush their students by changing some rules and regulations in fee structures and adding some miscellaneous expenses to handle the cost of additional shipping and study materials.

Education for Dull Minded 

Distance education also suffers from the blame that it is for the dull mind. The assumption behind this is that dull students fear humiliation and embarrassment at the hands of their peers and teachers, so they avoid regular classes.

Less or Lack of Motivation

Many find that distance learning programs do not motivate them because they do not have to attend a class every day. The classroom environment provides competition and challenge to the students. It becomes a source of inspiration for education. Most online programs are self-paced and it can be easy to lose motivation and laxity, and drop-out rates can be higher than distance learning.

Technology problems

Many distance learning programs are entirely online, or students simply submit assignments via e-mail. Any impediment or technical problem on the donor or participating side may result in a loss of time and energy. This can be unnecessarily annoying due to technical errors. In the end, it is a sad reality that not everyone can provide a computer and internet connection because you need these things for distance education.

All lectures and conferences will be given through a webinar and you will need a high-speed Internet connection. Many people cannot tolerate this. Hence they cannot attend distance learning college due to their financial status. Hence distance education had its advantages and disadvantages. There are advantages and some disadvantages but the bottom line is that if you want to learn something new, you can take a distance learning course. However, you cannot trust that it is going to give you a job one day because employers still do not like distance education.

Lesser Seriousness

Students pursuing distance education are less serious about studying because they are at home and there are no rules or rights at home that can control and direct them towards serious study. Sometimes you cannot replace a real college atmosphere with a virtual college environment on your computer.

In distance learning, you lack the seriousness that exists in a classroom when lectured by a professor. Also, here you are alone and you have no one to compete with because you are alone. With no competition, you learn less. Therefore the overall learning environment in distance education is very different compared to a regular college.