| If you have ever given any thought to going back to | | | | There are several instructional methods currently in |
| college to earn a degree, but do not feel that you | | | | use with distance learning. There is a component for |
| would have the time, money, or ability to do so, take | | | | every type of learner that will help to facilitate the |
| a look at distance learning. Distance educational entails | | | | learning process and enrich the online experience. One |
| using current communications technology to provide | | | | method that is used is the medium of voice, which |
| instruction and interaction between an instructor and | | | | includes telephone communications with instructors |
| students when they are separated by any given | | | | and classmates. This really helps to ease the isolation |
| distance. What that means is that no matter where | | | | that can be felt in a distance learning degree |
| you are in the world, you can be a student in a | | | | program, and reinforces any course content that has |
| distance learning degree program at a college or | | | | been relayed. Video is often used in a distance |
| university anywhere in the world. Distance is not an | | | | learning classroom, usually in the form of slides and |
| issue. | | | | streaming video lectures. This is advantageous for |
| Distance education has the capacity to provide many | | | | the student because this data is saved and made |
| different types of people with a myriad of | | | | available for use at any time, whether to print out |
| educational opportunities. Older adults can fulfill an | | | | slides or to review lectures online. Other types of |
| ambition to go to college and earn a bachelor's | | | | instructional media that are used in distance learning |
| degree, or return to earn an advanced degree such | | | | include discussion boards, email communications, and |
| as a master's or doctorate degree. Distance | | | | chat rooms (for classmate interaction as well as |
| education provides those with full time work and | | | | "lectures"). All of these methods help to facilitate |
| family schedules the chance to go to college, and it is | | | | communications between students and instructors, as |
| ideal for those who might be restricted by a physical | | | | well as encourage class participation. |
| disability. Distance learning also provides established | | | | For distance learning to be successful, it is important |
| workers the opportunity to update and reinforce | | | | that the faculty of a college or university be willing to |
| their knowledge within their current career field, | | | | adapt their teaching styles in order to fit with the |
| broadening their scope of information and providing | | | | technology and educational format. They have to be |
| more opportunities for advancement and promotion. | | | | willing to deliver course content is a variety of media, |
| The benefits of distance learning seem to far | | | | as well as facilitate classroom chats, and have open |
| outweigh any drawbacks, but a successful distance | | | | lines of communication. Faculty must also be open to |
| learning degree program is dependent on the school, | | | | the idea that their students will be spread far and |
| the faculty, and the student working together to | | | | wide, in different time zones, countries, and cultural |
| make the experience as enriching and valuable as any | | | | setting, and should be prepared to adjust |
| traditional college experience. | | | | assignments and expectations accordingly. Ultimately, |
| You might be concerned that you won't receive the | | | | though, the individual success of a distance learning |
| same quality education as you might in a traditional | | | | degree program lies with the student. Being a |
| classroom setting, or that you won't learn as much, | | | | successful distance learner requires the motivation to |
| especially in a graduate degree program. That is a | | | | get the assignments done, make the effort to |
| valid concern. Distance learning has been shown to | | | | communicate with classmates and instructors, and |
| provide students with an equally effective and | | | | attend scheduled lectures and chats. Because there is |
| valuable education as traditional students receive, | | | | freedom in the format, responsibility is a key factor |
| provided that the various available instructional | | | | in getting a valid and valuable education online. |
| methods are used in a way that stimulates the | | | | Without the drive to do the work, there will be no |
| learning process and the interest of the students. | | | | benefits earned for the student. |