Distance Learning Credible?
Friday, March 19th, 2010The work and learn culture is responsible for the sudden rise in distant education institutes thus enabling the provision of learn and earn degrees/diplomas of their choices without disturbing their present job. Distant Learning enables a person to acquire a degree from world’s renowned university without changing the current location. Degree for a course which is not available in your country can easily be obtained in through distant learning at a minimal cost.
The technologies used to transfer the data (knowledge) to the students are vaguely classified as synchronous and asynchronous technologies. Synchronous technologies include Web-based VoIP, Telephone, Videoconferencing, Web conferencing, Direct-broadcast satellite, Internet radio, Live streaming while Asynchronous technologies include Audiocassette, E-mail, Message board forums, Print materials, Voice Mail/fax, Videocassette/DVD. In short synchronous technologies require all members’ presence during the transfer while asynchronous technologies can be collected by the members at their own convenience.
People mostly find traditional format education more reliable than distant learning education but studies have found out that if proper methods provided like student teacher-interactions is made possible or provision for timely feed back by the teachers/experts is available distant learning is no less effective than traditional education format. (more…)