Pros & Cons of Distance Learning

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Pros Cons of Distance Learning
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• Distance education, distance learning or
  D-Learning is a mode of delivering education and
  instruction, often on an individual basis, to
  students who are not physically present in a
  traditional setting such as a classroom. Distance
  learning provides "access to learning when the
  source of information and the learners are
  separated by time and distance, or both.
• The widespread use of computers and the internet
  have made distance learning easier and faster,
  and today virtual schools and virtual
  universities deliver full curricula online.

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• Although the expansion of the Internet blurs the
  boundaries, distance education technologies are
  divided into two modes of delivery synchronous
  learning and asynchronous learning.
• In synchronous learning, all participants are
  "present" at the same time. In this regard, it
  resembles traditional classroom teaching methods
  despite the participants being located remotely.
  It requires a timetable to be organized. Web
  conferencing, video conferencing, and educational
  television, instructional televisions are
  examples of synchronous technology.
• In asynchronous learning, participants access
  course materials flexibly on their own schedules.
  Students are not required to be together at the
  same time. Mail correspondence, which is the
  oldest form of distance education, is an
  asynchronous delivery technology, as are message
  board forums, e-mail, video and audio recordings,
  print materials, voicemail and fax.
• Distance learning can also use interactive radio
  instruction (IRI), interactive audio instruction
  (IAI), online virtual worlds, digital games,
  webinars, and webcasts, all of which are referred
  to as eLearning.

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Pros/Advantages of Distance Learning

• Distance learning, also known as online
  education, is a viable option for many
  individuals of all ages who desire to get an
  education. It holds a number of pros and
  advantages over a traditional learning
  environment.
• Choice An online education provides the
  opportunity to study more subjects and reach out
  to programs that are not available in the
  immediate area.
• Flexible Distance learning is much more flexible
  than traditional styles of classroom education.
  Students who need to take other classes or work
  can do classwork whenever they have a free moment
  instead of being restricted to a rigid schedule.

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Pros/Advantages of Distance Learning

• Networking Students who enrol in classes with
  online education obtain a wider range of
  networking opportunities. Instead of being
  limited to networking in the local area, distance
  learning enables students to make connections
  with a more diverse range of people.
• Pace Online education enables students to work
  at their own pace in many circumstances. The
  requirements are not as strict and typically give
  a range of due dates when the work needs to be
  submitted.

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Pros/Advantages of Distance Learning

• Scheduling The schedules for distance learning
  are more open and allow for students, parents and
  professionals to take the classes whenever it
  fits into their schedule. This is beneficial over
  classroom education that requires students to
  schedule work and childcare around the class
  time.
• Money Online classes typically cost less than an
  education in a classroom environment. There are
  less space limitations and materials required for
  each student and the savings are passed on from
  the educational institution to each student.
• Traveling A huge advantage to getting an online
  education is that there is no need to travel to
  and from class every single day. Someone who
  doesnt drive or want to spend money on the costs
  of public transportation every single day will
  likely choose to get an online education over the
  traditional classroom.

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Pros/Advantages of Distance Learning

• Selection of Professors Distance learning
  enables students to learn from some of the most
  prestigious professors and guest speakers in each
  field.
• No classroom sitting Sitting in the classroom is
  not the best way for every student to learn. A
  student may learn better at his own pace and in a
  different format than traditional schooling
  options offer.
• Effective Online classes are just as, if not
  more, effective at teaching students than the
  traditional classroom style of learning.
• Distance learning may not be the ideal option for
  everyone but should be considered when looking at
  options.

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Pros/Advantages of Distance Learning

• Although sometimes considered to be the poorer
  cousin of regular college programmes, distance
  learning comes as a blessing to students who want
  to study further while continuing with jobs or
  who might not be able to attend a full-time
  course for various reasons.
• The most frequent query from students is related
  to the confusion over the value of a distance
  learning programme. The answer to this totally
  depends on the student. Some students can make
  the most out of a distance learning programme,
  but there are also others who are not comfortable
  with this pattern. Here we will discuss the pros
  and cons of distance learning/ distance education
  programmes and helps you decide if you should go
  for it

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Cons/Disadvantages of Distance Learning

• No Direct Contact with Faculty There isnt any
  fun if you dont have a teacher you can make fun
  of! On a serious note, lack of personal
  interaction with teachers often affects the
  learning curve for some students. This is one
  major disadvantage of distance learning. Flipping
  through voluminous books with no mentor to guide
  you can be overwhelming for some students.
• Overdependence on Technology Some distance
  learning programmes especially online courses
  require access to internet. Unless you are
  comfortable with this medium, you will find
  studying and interacting with your faculty online
  difficult.

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Cons/Disadvantages of Distance Learning

• Lack of Discipline Since you dont have a
  teacher standing on top of your head, reminding
  you of deadlines, asking for your assignments,
  there are chances that you will not take a
  distance learning programme seriously. You need
  to be mature and disciplined to take full
  advantage of a distance learning programme.
• It can get Lonely Even if youre in a virtual
  classroom that is full of students, the lack of
  personal interaction might make you feel detached
  and lonely. This can be solved as you get more
  comfortable with using the internet.

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Cons/Disadvantages of Distance Learning

• Not All Courses are Available/ Taught Another
  major disadvantage of distance learning is that
  not all courses can be taught online. For
  example, subjects like Medicine and Engineering
  cant be taught online or through distance
  learning since practical classes, experiments
  etc. cant possibly be conducted over the
  internet! Some things, youve got to do yourself!
• Not Valued by all Employers No matter how good
  the university/college from where you pursued
  your distance learning programme, some employers
  will always prefer a candidate who has pursued a
  regular programme over you.

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Following is a list of the top 20 Distance
Learning Institutes across India

• 1. Indira Gandhi National Open University
• 2. Yashwantrao C. Maharashtra Open University
• 3. IMT Distance and Open Learning Institute
• 4. Sikkim Manipal University
• 5. University of Mumbai
• 6. Maulana Azad National Urdu University
• 7. Dr. B.R.Ambedkar Open University
• 8. Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning
• 9. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
• 10. Annamalai University

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Following is a list of the top 20 Distance
Learning Institutes across India

• 11. Netaji Subhas Open University
• 12. Osmania University
• 13. Shivaji University
• 14. M.P. Bhoj (Open) University
• 15. Maharishi Dayanand University
• 16. University of Delhi
• 17. Acharya Nagarjuna University
• 18. SNDT - Women's University
• 19. Alagappa University
• 20. Andhra University