Distance learning, also known as remote education, online learning, or e-learning, refers to a teaching model that uses the Internet and television as communication media. It breaks the boundaries of time and space, different from the traditional teaching model that requires sitting in classrooms on campus. Distance education can generally be classified as Synchronous (live) and Asynchronous (self-paced); the former sends information to all online participants at the same time, so participants must connect at a specific time (e.g., phone or video conference), while the latter allows participants to choose their course schedule freely (e.g., recorded lectures or discussion boards).
The U.S. Department of Education invited the Stanford Research Institute to conduct a study evaluating online learning versus traditional learning from 1996 to 2008. The research findings indicated that "in general, students engaged in online learning performed better than those receiving face-to-face instruction." This result was published in the New York Times on August 19, 2009.
As far as we know, modern distance learning began in 1728 when a teacher advertised in the Boston Gazette to attract students, stating that shorthand could be learned through weekly correspondence courses. The University of Houston was the first university to offer online learning, with a course taught via television in 1953.
In 2007, about 3.9 million students in the United States had experience with online courses; by 2012, this number rose to 6.7 million, a staggering increase of 71% in just five years. During the same period, the annual growth rate of enrollment in online courses exceeded the overall growth rate of higher education by tenfold.
Initially, modern online learning methods faced a lot of skepticism, but this perception has significantly shifted over the past decade. With the explosion of the internet and rapid increase of online interactive learning tools, over 60% of higher education institutions in the U.S. now offer online learning, indicating that online learning is widely accepted as a form of education.
Similarly, perceptions among recruiters and employers have changed. According to a 2010 survey by the international polling company Zogby, 83% of executives interviewed stated they would not differentiate between degrees obtained through online courses or traditional campus courses, as long as the courses were offered by credible educational institutions.
Overall, online learning is more flexible, diverse, and convenient. Most online courses allow students to learn at their own pace at any time and place. Students are not restricted by time and location and can freely choose courses that align with their personal goals. Other advantages include:
- Plan courses around work, family, and other existing life responsibilities.
- Learn new knowledge and skills (even obtain higher degrees) without compromising career advancement.
- Focus on areas that students find least familiar, optimizing learning.
- Reduce commuting time and costs.
- Learn from anywhere with a computer and internet access.
- Set learning units according to one's own pace.
- Join discussions flexibly on forums or connect with classmates and teachers via chat rooms.
- Develop effective online learning and communication skills, which are highly valued in today’s work environment.
- Encourage all students—including shy ones—to participate in discussions.
Campus courses provide external pressures from professors and classmates that push students forward, whereas online learning requires personal discipline and motivation to keep pace. Students who choose online learning must adopt a more proactive attitude to benefit from it. Possible drawbacks include:
- Students with weak learning motivation or poor study habits may fall behind.
- Students may not be able to contact teachers in a timely manner when they need assistance.
- If faced with slow internet connections or outdated computers, students may feel frustrated when uploading course files.
- Students with only basic computer skills may find handling computer files or online learning software overly complicated.
- It is more challenging to simulate hands-on work or laboratory work in a virtual classroom.
- There are almost no opportunities for face-to-face interaction with teachers or classmates.
- Some employers or graduate programs may have bias against online degrees.
- Other countries outside the U.S. may lack mechanisms to recognize online degrees.
While many people can learn effectively online, not everyone is suitable for it. Besides being proficient in digital knowledge and skills, studies show that students who perform well in online learning can effectively manage time, are self-disciplined, can motivate themselves, and are willing to take the initiative to learn. If you want to know whether you are suited for online learning, the following articles can help you understand yourself better.
- The Flexibility of Online Courses Fits Busy Individuals
Time is precious, especially for busy people. Many want to take classes to further their education but struggle to find time. Older students often have job and family burdens, making it impossible to abandon their current lives to study abroad. Modern online courses offer sufficient flexibility for even the busiest individuals to schedule classes at their convenience.- There Are Many Options for Online Courses
Distance courses are not limited by time and space, so students on the East Coast can take courses from the University of California, while students in Asia can freely enroll in Ivy League distance courses. Due to the development of the internet, schools no longer just compete for good students with nearby institutions but compete with schools worldwide. As a result, the quality of distance courses provided by schools is improving, with an increasing variety of programs. Most schools are also actively adopting new technologies to help students use online learning more effectively.- Certificates May Be More Useful Than Degrees
For many, obtaining a certificate is more useful than a degree. In today’s information explosion, statistics show that the knowledge gained by first-year college students is often outdated by their senior year. Thus, many employers prefer employees with various certificates, as it indicates that these employees not only have up-to-date information but are also continuously seeking improvement. Additionally, certificates typically have shorter durations and focus on practical subjects, making them more suitable for those already in the workforce. Students outside the U.S. need not worry about whether certificates obtained online will be recognized in their own countries.- Online Courses Help Students Transition 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 their cake and eat it too—preparing for the next job without giving up their current position! Whether you want to gauge your interest in a new field or develop new professional skills, online courses can meet your needs. Online courses (especially certificates) provide students with a low-cost method in terms of both time and money to explore their future direction.
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進一步了解蘊藏許多助人的知識與智慧。