|
"What is Distance Education? Distance education is the delivery of a learning experience to students separated from the instructor, or each other, by distance and/or time. Distance education typically incorporates technologies including audio tapes, videotapes, telephone conferences, cable or satellite television, fax, electronic mail, or the World Wide Web to deliver the instruction or facilitate interaction. Although distance education is not a new phenomenon, it's been available in the United States for over 100 years, the educational possibilities created by the Internet and World Wide Web have moved this issue into the mainstream.... What are the Benefits of Distance Learning? A significant benefit for many distance education students is flexibility. Such programs enable students to take classes or work on a degree without sacrificing job or family commitments. They also can benefit those who need timely training or who would learn better without the rigid structure of a traditional program. Distance education can also be a valuable resource to parents, particularly homeschooling ones, who would like to increase the educational opportunities for their children. Besides the convenience afforded by distance education, it can also enable students to learn directly from instructors who would normally be inaccessible. For example, a student living in Florida could take a class taught by a particular leader in their field who happens to live in California. Sometimes groups of students, such as a small group of adults in the same church, make arrangements with institutions to offer distance education classes. This provides a ready-made class for the institution and offers the participants the opportunity to take credit courses from a leading school.... Don't People Learn Better in a Traditional Classroom? Although it might be hard to believe, especially for those of us who teach for a living, the answer appears to be no. The majority of research in this field indicates that students learn and retain information delivered at a distance as well, if not better, as in a traditional classroom. This is actually a pet peeve of mine -- I believe this question is the wrong one to ask and I find it distressing that we have elevated the traditional classroom to a divine decree. Although I like traditional instruction, as both a learner and instructor, it is far from the only method of teaching and learning. Homeschoolers, and others involved in non-traditional educational endeavors, have already learned that the one-size-fits-all traditional classroom is not always the best solution. Furthermore, distance education offers the opportunity to incorporate your academic endeavors into your personal, vocational, and ministry efforts. Some programs even build-in this relationship by requiring a local mentor and practical application assignments during each course. In such cases, the distance courses are probably better than the classroom ones. I believe that for many subjects, online and distance courses can be designed to be far superior to the equivalent traditional classroom model by integrated learning and practice for established students. Rather than focusing on "distance" or "online," focus on "learning" and take advantage of the many opportunities that rooted learners have to integrate and apply their learning. Regardless, it's important to know how you learn best and then to select an educational approach that works for you. ...There are lots of choices out there, find something that works for you and go with it. " - Jason Baker's Guide to Christian Distance Education at Gospelcom.net
|