Distance learning, which is an education model that allows students to attend courses either entirely online, or partially online, has been gaining attention in the past few months. Students and educators have had to adjust to this form of education in response to stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

And while there is evidence that distance learning can be just as effective and engaging as traditional in-person learning, you may be wondering what distance learning looks like and whether it’s right for you long-term. And it may not be. There are many advantages to distance learning, as well as inevitable drawbacks. This article will touch on three major characteristics of distance learning as they relate to the student experience: access, flexibility, and social interaction. 

Access

Pros: Distance learning can be a godsend for students who, for whatever reason cannot, or would prefer not to attend classes in person. Because distance learning programs use technology like, teleconferencing apps, video recordings of lectures, messaging apps, and online drop boxes, students are able to attend lectures and complete coursework from wherever they are — as long as they have a strong internet connection. 

This is great for students who already have careers and families and would benefit from a program that doesn’t require them to be physically present. Students with disabilities that limit mobility may also prefer programs that require little to no travel. 

Cons: Technology does sometimes break down. Apps experience bugs and internet connections go down occasionally. Nontraditional students in an older age group also may not find this kind of technology as user-friendly as their younger counterparts. And the reality is, that internet (and computer ownership) is still very much a luxury — not every student has consistent access to reliable, high speed internet or a PC of their own. 

Students who are not as tech savvy or who rely on school Wi-Fi or computers may benefit more from on-campus courses. 

Flexibility 

Pros: Online courses often allow students to complete coursework on their own schedules. While some courses require attendance for livestreamed lectures, students can access and complete homework and quizzes on their own time. And some programs are completely asynchronous, meaning all work and lecture viewing is done at the student’s pace. 

This is great for students who require more flexibility because of work and family obligations. Students who are disciplined and can complete work on their own also do well with programs like this. 

Cons: Flexibility is not always a blessing and not every student handles this much autonomy well. Freshman-level students, with little understanding of expectations and students who are not accustomed to regulating their own schoolwork may fail in this scenario.  

Communication

Pros: Technology has made it easier than ever to connect with peers and professors without ever seeing them face-to-face. Messaging apps and teleconferencing programs and online forums mean that asking a question or receiving feedback can happen almost instantly. And studies have showed that this kind of communication can actually increase engagement. It’s never been easier to get in touch. 

Cons: Not everyone appreciates communicating using technology and there are students who prefer face-to-face interaction. Also, face-to-face interaction isn’t reliant on the Wi-fi and can still take place if an app is down. Miscommunication is also less likely to happen when you can hear the tone of a person’s voice and see their facial expressions — things missing from messaging. 

A good fit for many, but maybe not all

Distance learning solves many problems when it comes to access, flexibility, and ease of communication, which makes it a great option for many students. Students who already lead busy lives or who need accommodation for a disability may find distance learning to be the better option. 

But there are also still students who are better served by the traditional education experience. Students who may not be as into the tech scene or able to access the technology required to participate in distance learning may benefit from on-campus courses. 

Before you commit to a distance learning program, it’s important to evaluate what it’s going to require of you and whether you can reasonably meet those requirements. When researching programs get in touch with department heads and current students and ask questions about the experience and where they see success and where they see pitfalls. The good news is you have options.

The world is terrified by a horrible epidemic of coronavirus, which began at the end of December and remains relevant even after March is over. It’s a serious challenge for every kid and adult. No matter where you live, in the city or village, it may get you everywhere. People discuss the most efficient measures to properly take care of their health, how long to wash hands, what meal to consume, etc. every day. Educational systems of all countries greatly suffer as well. The impact of coronavirus on the education system is one of the most currently relevant topics discussed by educators, students, parents, and politicians.

As people cannot gather in great masses and must stay at home, it’s impossible to learn. What to undertake in this situation? As every school, college and university are closed, students cannot receive education, enlarge their knowledge, and develop skills. They have to stay at home and the most obvious solution is to learn there. Otherwise, every child and the adult student will miss several crucial months. It may create a great gap in knowledge and so, youngsters will remain incompetent. This will be a huge impact on any educational system with multiple negative consequences.

The governments of every country try to support their educational systems. It seems that online or distance learning is the best solution. Governments have to close educational institutions that offer a traditional on-campus way of learning. They all should move on to the Internet. It’s a pretty long and complex process and education will suffer because of it. Nonetheless, every school/college superintendent will say that it’s much better than simply wasting time in isolation.

Potential Benefits from eLearning

The experts shed some light on the benefits of online learning. What are positive aspects of distance learning via the Internet? Consider the following benefits:

• More time to learn;
• Access to all kinds of learning importation;
• New efficient ways to learn;
• The flexibility of learning methods;
• Active collaboration with parents to make them closer to their children.

Thanks to the speed of the Internet, students can access useful information sources to solve their problems. Teachers and professors provide online lessons and consultations. It’s possible to receive instant answers and help.

Students are welcome to join any special community, which is busy with the issues of eLearning. Such communities likewise shed more light on various learning aspects. Students can choose different learning methods, which perfectly suit their learning styles. This benefit solves the “eternal” problem of the lack of flexibility of the standard curriculum. There are almost no restrictions and students are free to plan their learning schedules and write a paper according to their needs and possibilities.

We’d like to add that parents should be active participators too. Every family should actively participate in eLearning to make this process efficient. Parents should be close at hand to help their children because many of them don’t know how to study online.