Is Distance Learning Right for You?

With increased technology and access to the internet, more and more people are considering distance learning as a viable alternative to traditional institutions of higher learning. What exactly is distance learning? As you may have already guessed, distance learning means that a student earns his or her degree online, working from home for professional development, without having to ever actually attend a class in person.

Benefits

While traditional colleges and universities have always focused on the needs and the schedules of the professors and instructors, distance learning allows students a bit more flexibility and gives them the responsibility of setting their own schedules. This, however, does not mean that distance learning is a cake walk. In fact, online students tend to be more responsible than traditional ones because they must make more of their own decisions and must manage their time far more effectively.

Another benefit of distance learning is that it allows students who would not otherwise have been able to attend, due to distance, transportation or time constraints, to enroll in classes. Just like traditional students, these students are expected to submit homework, papers and to take challenging tests and exams.

But as with most things in life, distance learning does have its drawbacks. Probably the most significant one is that students do not get a “real” college experience. Sure, they may get a degree at the end of 2 or 4 years, but they won’t have the same experiences or memories that regular college students have.

So, who gets a degree online then? Well, really anyone who, for whatever reason, cannot attend a real brick and mortar college or university. This may include older people who believe they simply wouldn’t fit in with the average 18 year-old freshmen, or people who have been to college before and don’t want to relive the experience.