Distance Learning: Pros And Cons Of Online Studies

Distance learning is a great option for those who want to learn new skills and increase their knowledge, but for one reason or another are unable or unwilling to attend contact classes. Thanks to the rapid development of technology, institutions have the opportunity to offer web-based high-quality courses at all levels of education.

For others, distance learning is a flexible and effective way to participate in teaching, but for everyone, this form of study is not suitable. In this article, we look at the pros and cons of e-learning and virtual learning. Distance learning providers share teaching content as audio, video and text material and enable communication between teachers and other students in a variety of virtual forums.

What is distance learning?

The internet makes online learning a great way. Students have access to course and tutorials through tablets, laptops, desktops, and even smartphones. 

Analyzing this growing trend, it can be seen that e-learning opportunities and platforms have tripled in the last ten years. This will allow e-learning to expand more and more. As e-learning, it is possible to study, for example, studies that require a matriculation examination, as well as studies that are necessary after that.

E-learning courses run by universities are often combined with traditional in-class courses. In addition to these, there is an endless selection of elective courses for specific skills.

Clear benefits of distance learning

As with any thing, here too one is free to choose the path one wants to follow. For those who have difficulty combining study with their own time or place, distance learning offers a very appealing option:

• Flexibility:  While many educational institutions try to provide the widest possible schedule, there are still students for whom such a limited schedule is not appropriate.

• Sometimes a person who misses a lesson knows that skipping something important for understanding the course material can be due to tight schedules.

Instead, the schedule created for some full-time students may be too slow. In both cases, distance learning offers a solution when it comes to study schedules.

• Distance learning is a perfect option for a child’s parent. After becoming a mother, many women have to postpone their studies for the time being.
• When you have children, it may be impossible to find quiet time to study. Online courses and programs allow students to keep up with the pace of study, even if there are such challenges.

• Suitable for a professional who wants to specialize. Everyone who wants to study at a distance has their own reason for it. Someone may already be a professional in their field but want to develop their own skills in a particular area. Participation in another face-to-face lesson is not possible for logistical reasons.

One large population group that occupies virtual classrooms is young people who have had to drop out of school because of work. In such cases, a virtual degree is a great option.

What are the disadvantages of e-learning?

As we can see, e-learning has many advantages, but it also has its disadvantages. Could it be that distance itself is the downside of distance learning ? Historically, this has been the aspect that has been most criticized in e-learning, although geographical barriers have in practice been overcome thanks to the benefits that technology brings.

However, not all courses or degrees are available online. In other words, not all courses offer video conferencing, chat rooms, or virtual classrooms. On the other hand, there are also courses that require at least one face-to-face meeting per month to complete, which takes a little bit away from the magic of virtual learning.

Perhaps one of the biggest disadvantages of distance learning is that you have to be responsible for your own learning. When you can’t contact a professor directly to help you with your problems, you may be frustrated. This may cause some students to give up their studies completely.

As with any new project, considering the pros and cons may save you time and money. However, as distance learning is becoming more common, this option is becoming a more versatile and accepted way of studying all the time.