Distance learning, also known as distance education, online learning or online learning, refers to a teaching mode that uses the Internet and television and other media. It breaks through the boundaries of time and space, and is different from the traditional teaching mode that requires sitting in the classroom on the campus. Distance learning can be broadly classified into Synchronous and Asynchronous; the former transmits information to all participants online at the same time so the participants must be connected together at a specific time (eg: telephone or video conference) , while the latter allows participants to freely choose the time of the class (eg: a recording of a speech or a message board).
Is online learning as effective as traditional classroom teaching?
The U.S. Department of Education invited the Stanford Research Institute to conduct a study evaluating online versus traditional learning between 1996 and 2008, and the results showed that "on average, students who learned online performed better than those who received face-to-face instruction.
How long have e-learning courses been available?
The earliest known modern distance learning dates back to 1728, when a teacher advertised in the Boston Gazette for his students that he could learn shorthand through a weekly newsletter course. The University of Houston was the first university to offer online learning, with a subject taught via television in 1953.
How popular is online learning?
In 2007, about 3.9 million U.S. students had experience in online classes. By 2012, the number had risen to 6.7 million, but in just five years, the increase was as high as 71%. During the same period, the annual growth rate of enrolment in online courses also exceeded the overall growth rate of higher education by as much as ten times.
What is the public's view on online learning? How do companies view this learning method?
In the beginning, there was a lot of skepticism about modern online learning, but over the past decade, this view has changed dramatically. With the explosion of the Internet today and the rapid increase of online interactive learning tools, more than 60% of colleges and universities in the United States offer online learning, which shows that online learning has become a widely accepted form of education.
For recruiters or employers, perceptions have similarly changed. According to a survey conducted by Zogby International in 2010, as many as 83% of the interviewed executives would not make a distinction between whether a job seeker's qualifications were obtained through online courses or on-campus courses, as long as the course was offered by a credible educational institution. Eligible courses offered.
What are the advantages of online learning?
Overall, online learning is more flexible, diverse and convenient. Most online courses allow students to study at any time, anywhere, and at their own pace. Students are not limited by time and place, and can freely choose courses that meet their personal goals. Other advantages include:
- Plan lessons to fit work, family, and other existing life responsibilities
- Learn new things, master new skills (or even get an advanced degree) without compromising your career
- When teaching, emphasize the areas that students are least familiar with to optimize learning
- Reduce commute time and costs
- As long as you have a computer and network equipment, you can study wherever you are
- You can set your own learning units to learn at the pace that suits you best
- Join the discussion board in a flexible way, or connect with classmates and teachers through chat rooms
- Developing effective online learning and communication skills is the most valued skill in today's work environment
- All students - including those who are naturally shy - are encouraged to participate in the discussion
What are the disadvantages of online learning?
On-campus courses have external pressure from professors and classmates to push students forward, but online learning requires personal discipline and motivation to keep up. Students who choose to study online must take a more proactive approach to benefit. May have the following disadvantages:
- Students with weak motivation or poor reading habits may fall behind
- Students may not be able to contact teachers in a timely manner when they are reading or needing assistance
- If you experience issues with slow internet connections or old computers, you may experience frustration when uploading subject files
- For students with only rudimentary computer proficiency, processing computer files or online learning software can be too complicated
- Difficulty simulating fieldwork or lab work in a virtual classroom
- Few opportunities for face-to-face interaction with teachers or classmates
- Some employers or institutes will discriminate
- Countries other than the U.S. may lack mechanisms to recognize degrees
Am I suitable for online learning?
While many people can learn effectively online, it is not for everyone. In addition to having to be proficient in digital knowledge and skills, research shows that students who perform well in online learning are able to manage their time well, self-discipline, self-motivated, and willing to learn actively. If you want to know if you are suitable for online learning, the following articles will help you understand yourself better.
- Flexibility of online courses to accommodate busy people
Time is precious, especially for busy people. Many people want to take classes for further study, but they can't always find the time. Many older students have work and family burdens and cannot give up their current lives to study abroad. Today's online courses are flexible enough so that no matter how busy people are, they can arrange the class time according to their own time.
- There are many options for online courses.
Distance courses are not limited by time and space, so students on the east coast of America can take courses at the University of California, while students in Asia can also take distance courses at Ivy League universities at will. Because of the development of the Internet, schools not only need to compete with schools near them for good students, but also compete with schools around the world. Therefore, the quality of distance courses provided by schools is getting better and better, and there are more and more choices of departments. Most schools are also actively adopting new technologies to help students make more effective use of online learning.
- A certificate may be more useful than a degree
For many people, a further education certificate is more useful than a degree diploma. In this information explosion society, some statisticians say that the knowledge learned by college students in the first grade is often out of date by the fourth grade. Therefore, many operators like employees with multiple certificates, because it means that the employee not only has the latest information, but also is a person who is constantly pursuing progress. Furthermore, the study period of the advanced study certificate is shorter, and the subject matter is more practical, so it is more suitable for those who are already in the workplace. Students outside the United States don't have to worry about whether the certificate obtained online has their own country's certification.
- Online courses help students change careers
Want to change your career, but don't know where to start? The biggest advantage of online learning is that it allows students to have the best of both worlds – get ready for the next job without giving up your current job! Whether you want to gauge your interest in a new field, or want to develop a new major Knowledge, online courses can meet your needs. Online courses (especially Certificates of Advanced Studies) provide students with a low-cost way of exploring their future directions, both in terms of time and money.