The world of today has become more and more digitalized. This is even slowly changing the global traditional education system. Traditional education requires the students to physical attend classes. Currently, face to face education is slowly disappearing in colleges all around the world. This phenomenon is called distance learning (Moore, 2010). Universities like Oxford, Utrecht and Wageningen are already offering distance learning (Vioreanu, 2017). This concept might sound like a great development for the education industry, and in some ways it is. Hopefully you are able to form your own opinion on distance learning, after reading through this blog.
One of the main advantages is the decrease in costs for universities. Distance learning does not require a classroom, or a physical campus for the students attending the course. It simply only requires a computer that is connected with the internet. This is very cost saving for universities (Kruse, 2004).
Another advantage is the decrease in costs for the students themselves. If they can attend every course online, they will not have to commute or live near their university. This is especially helpful for students in areas where there is no good university nearby.
Personalized learning is also a huge advantage. Combining the concept of distance learning with artificial intelligence, will enable the system to recognize certain patterns that students use. The online learning material will be able to adapt to this, by finding ways to help the student to learn as efficient as possible (Koller, 2011).
However, distance learning also comes with some downsides. One of those downsides, is the lack of social interaction. By taking courses behind your computer, you will not be able to talk to students and teachers compared to traditional education. Social interaction is a fundamental part for the personal development of a student, it is a way that they learn the skills that are necessary for their future jobs (Mahlangu, 2018).
Another drawback is that students are not as motivated than with traditional education. Distance education requires self-motivation. Students attending college have to go to classes, where they have friends and can socialize with new people. It is clear that this is not the case with distance learning, where you are basically studying by yourself. This makes it hard for students to stay motivated (Sherry, 1995).
So what do you think? Is distance learning a hit or a miss, and would you attend it yourself?
Moore, J. L., Dickson-Deane, C., & Galyen, K. (2011). e-Learning, online learning, and distance learning environments: Are they the same?. The Internet and Higher Education, 14(2), 129-135.
Kruse, K. (2004). The benefits and drawbacks of e-learning. Retrieved January, 11, 2009.
Koller, D. (2011). Death knell for the lecture: Technology as a passport to personalized education. New York Times, 5.
Jayadi, P., & Wahid, F. (2019). Information Technology as Science: A New Model for Learning. IJID (International Journal on Informatics for Development), 8(1), 16-19.
Vioreanu, D. (2017). 10 great European distance learning universities. Study Portals
Sherry, L. (1995). Issues in distance learning. International journal of educational telecommunications, 1(4), 337-365.
