Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning

To do or not to do – This is the question that bothers most students who are considering pursuing education through distance education. Over the years, distance education in various forms – distance learning programs, online programs from open universities, and, subsequently. Has helped the educational aspirations of students who could not attend full-time and campus-based classes.

Students are often apprehensive about opting for higher education through distance education. As they do not have clarity about the pros and cons of this method of education. If you want to go for this model. It is a good idea to understand the Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning of pursuing a degree through distance education before deciding.

You should realize that distance learning may not be the best option for every student. But understanding its Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning can help you decide whether distance education is right for you.

Advantages of Distance Learning

• Work As Well As Study: In fact, a major part of the students who opt for distance education are those who do not want to leave their jobs but also want higher education, also study on weekends or even in the middle of the night. You learn while earning!

• You Can Save Money:

  For any program, a distance education degree (online or otherwise) can be much cheaper than the fee for a regular campus degree. Students who are looking for financially viable options can go for a distance education program.

• You Save Time:

  There is no time wasted going to and from college, time is not wasted waiting for a bus or train. In a distance learning program, your class is right in your bedroom – study material on your desk or e-content on your computer. Students who do not have enough time in their hands can replace distance education as an option. And pursue it from the comfort of their homes.

• You Can Learn At Your Own Pace:

  The prospect of going back to classroom education can be intimidating for many of us. Asking a question that you are unable to understand a concept in the classroom can be quite embarrassing for many students. Distance education comes to your rescue here!

  If you are self-disciplined and self-motivated. The best benefit of distance learning is that you can learn at your own pace. It is a known fact that different people learn in different ways and at different speeds. In a classroom, when everyone is being taught simultaneously. It is often difficult to keep each student on the same page. 

Since you are given all the coursework beforehand. You can study as little or as much as you want every day, until you have completed your study material within the stipulated time. If you have doubt, there is a discussion forum, chat facilities with faculty. And full support of the distance education provider.

• You Can Study Whenever, Wherever: Except in scenarios where you have to attend online tutorials or give lectures through videoconferencing at a certain time, you can choose wherever you want. You don’t have to be stuck in class, but you can study in your garden, on your living room couch, or from the comfort of your bed. Whether you are lucky in the morning or owl of the night. You can choose an optimal time to study whenever your producers are at their best.

• Getting Accreditation Among Employers: Over the years’ distance education has finally gained some acceptance and recognition among employers, which is an encouraging sign. As long as the distance learning program is accredited, you do not need to be concerned. In India, all distance education programs approved by the Distance Education Council (DEC) are automatically recognized for employment for posts. And services under the Central Government. Private-sector employers also now value a distance education degree. And even encourage employees to pursue their jobs as well as higher education. So that employees develop skills and expertise in their field of work Can.

• Lower Costs

This is another major advantage of distance education. The total cost to join a distance college is much lower than that of joining a regular college. If you are from a poor background, then you can easily afford a distance college. Also, the fees for some courses are much lower in distance education than in full-time normal college learning. Therefore, if you feel that you are short of money then you can get a quality education at a low cost.

Disadvantages of Distance Learning

• More Likely To Be Distracting:

  Having no faculty for face-to-face interactions and any classmates who can help with constant reminders about pending assignments is more likely to get distracted and lose track of deadlines. If you want to complete your distance learning course successfully then you have to keep yourself motivated and focused. Distance learning is not a good idea if you procrastinate and cannot stay by the deadline.

• Hidden Cost: Although the cost of a distance learning program is generally cheaper than that of a regular program, it may include hidden costs. For example, if your distance learning course is offered online. You may have to incur some initial expenses such as setting up a computer and obtaining a reliable Internet connection. You may need to purchase additional resources such as printers, web cameras, and so forth. Some expenses may be recurring, such as maintenance and electricity costs.

• Complex Technology: Dependence on technology can be a major drawback in the distance learning mode of education, especially when learning capability increases in online environments. Any malfunction can bring the software or hardware running class to a standstill and disrupt the learning process. For example, if a student is not a computer and tech-savvy, his or her learning experience may be unsatisfactory.

• Compromise The Quality Of Faculty: Often considered a low cousin of regular education, distance education often suffers from a shortage of sufficiently good quality faculty members. In other cases, even if the instructor is good, he may not be comfortable with teaching in an online environment. Sometimes technology cannot do full justice to the delivery and design of a course. A student loses in all these scenarios. Distance education providers should realize that it is not technology, but good and effective teachers teaching students.

• Doubtful Reliability Of Degrees: Even though distance and online education have started getting recognized, many fake and non-recognized degrees are being given. With the increase in the number of distance / online programs, the number of scam operators is also increasing. This affects the credibility of accredited distance education degrees among prospective employers.

• Losing On Networking:

  The advantages of advancing a regular schedule go beyond interaction with teachers and good course content. MBA graduates from premier business schools (B-schools) in India will pledge the fact that opportunities to network with established alumni. And industry leaders go a long way in building a safe career. The distance education program loses this very important aspect.

Format of Courses Not Suitable for Everyone: The format of online courses is not suitable for everyone. Sometimes you will not understand anything that is taught through an online video. Some students never understand what they are trying to teach you. So this is another limitation of distance education.