Definition of Distance Education

Distance education is oftentimes known as "Distance Learning" aswell, and is simply thought as "a field of education concentrating on the andragogy and pedagogy, instructional systems, and technology which try to deliver an education to students that are not physically in a classroom or campus setting." In its simplest terms, this means earning a qualification online.

The usage of electronic (i.e. computers) and printed media enable the student to pursue their education without attending classes on a college or university campus. They're enabled to communicate and study at the times they select, through various technologies that allow them to interact instantly and through a variety of ways online.

Additionally, distance education courses usually do not require any physical presence on-site for reasons inclusive of taking examinations which are considered to be blended or hybrid courses of study.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning

Naturally, there are advantages and disadvantages to distance education degree programs. However, unlike varied beliefs and opinions, the distance education advantages far outweigh the disadvantages.

The Advantages of distance learning are:

1. It needs no commuting - therefore saving you money and time

2. You complete a lot of the classes at your personal pace - no pressure

3. You can live anywhere in the world, study from anywhere in the world, and pursue the selection of distance education course studies

4. Gain extra knowledge while you are learning - taking those internet and computer skills you gain and applying them to other facets of your life

5. The self-paced learning environment can be taken advantage of by the quickest or the slowest of learners - increases the satisfaction level while reducing stress along the way

6. Accessibility factors - distance education courses address the physical accessibility conditions that people who have mobility problems oftentimes encounter while being enrolled in the original on-campus classes

Unfortunately, you can't discuss the advantages of distance education without covering the disadvantages. These disadvantages are the following:

7. Sometimes the technology is complex and costly - despite the numerous opportunities of distance education, there are always accompanying costs

8. Advance planning is necessary - both instructors and the students oftentimes have to make sacrifices scheduling the changing times to obtain things done

9. Avoid hidden costs - If you are in naval branch of the military for instance, and you are out at sea, how does one receive your study materials?

10. Distance learning will not offer immediate feedback - in the traditional classroom setting, the student's performance is immediately assessed, whereas with distance education, the student must wait for feedback as the instructor is reviewing their work

11. Distance learning does not always offer all of the necessary courses online - students pursuing specific certificates or degrees is probably not afforded all the necessary courses that are offered through distance education programs so some programs aren't suited for all span of study.

12. Distance learning is probably not acknowledged by all employers - granted, most employers will acknowledge distance education, but there are some who don't

13. Distance learning does not give students the chance to work on oral communication skills - students in distance education courses do not always get to take part in verbal interaction with fellow students and professors

14. Social isolation - generally, you study alone and distance learning students quite often feel isolated and skip the social interaction that accompanies the traditional classroom on campus

No need to quit your job to have a college degree. Not when you're able to get yourself a knock your socks off accredited online degree [1] in your free time. Come go to the world of online education at DistanceLearningDegrees.org [2].