Distance learning is a great advance forward in making education more
accessible to millions of Americans who would simply not have the time
or resources to obtain a college degree or technical certificate. It
allows people from all over the country, even in remote or rural areas
to plug into technology that lets them learn, at their own speed and on
their own time.
But distance learning is not for everyone and some people need the
familiar surroundings of a real classroom and a real teacher in order
to learn. That’s because our traditional education model features three
key components that have proven to be effective in helping to educate
large numbers of people. Those components are human teacher expression
and explanation, student note-taking based on the teacher’s
presentation, and peer communication between the students that is
facilitated by the teacher.
None of these elements are present in distance learning and as a result
it becomes a foreign way for students, old or young, to receive and
process the information in order to learn.
In order to be successful in distance learning we must find a way to
overcome the fact that these traditional elements are missing in our
online education. Some people can do that and others cannot.
Other barriers to distance learning include having the ability to be
self-motivated and to do all of the necessary work including studying
in order to be successful. If you can’t study or complete assignments
without the monitoring and occasional nudge from a teacher then
distance learning may not be for you. Similarly if you don’t have the
discipline to participate in all online events and to protect your time
and space from interruptions and distractions you will find it very
hard to go through a distance learning program.
Distance learning may not be for you as well if you already have a busy
life that involves a lot of time and responsibilities. You can try and
study as you watch over your children at the pool, but sooner or later
one of your kids will by accident or design pull you away from your
studies. You can try and do a distance learning program while working
60 hours at the office, but eventually something will give, and that’s
likely to be your homework assignment.
Distance learning really is a giant step forward in using technology to
improve our lives and education. Just remember that it may not be right
for you, at least right now.
