“Can You Be Educated from a Distance,” an insightful essay by James Barszcz, brings to focus some of the benefits and disadvantages of Distance Learning education (DL). In it, Barszcz discusses the mechanics of DL courses available to students, the quality of education DL can offer, and some reasoning behind its rapidly growing popularity. “Can You Be Educated from a Distance” is an engaging article that students of all ages can benefit from.…
Distant learning began in the mid-19th century in Europe and the United States (California Distance Learning Project, 2011). These early distance learning programs were innovative at the time of their inception and created through the advances in technology, specifically the new penny post system (California Distance Learning Project, 2011). The next stage of innovation occurred in the 1920s with radio-based courses and later in the 1940s with television-based courses; again technology in the communication sector drove the innovation (California Distance Learning Project, 2011). The advancement of computer-network communication in the 1980s and 1990s produced further innovation in distance learning, moving these courses online. As computer-network communications advance the distance learning courses are…
While online classes are a part of many colleges, there is intense debate over whether they should be incorporated into high school education. The advocates of online education key in on the convenience, flexibility, self direction, cost savings, safety, creativity, pacing aspect and access to resources. Those opposed to online classes feel that online education is driven solely by budget cuts and the result is a cheaper education that has less guidance, lacks the social aspect, has accreditation issues and as a result, less beneficial to the students. Others think that blended learning which combines virtual education and face-to-face instruction is the most effective route, but possibly not the most cost effective.…
Keegan, D. (1988). Problems in defining the field of distance education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 2 (2), 4-11.…
Algebra, Spanish, World History, Chemistry, English Literature are just some of the myriad of dishes being served on online education buffets. Students are free to pile their plates high with the sciences, the arts, the languages, and countless other subjects due to the growing trend of distance learning courses offered through the Web. Teachers, however, are becoming more dissatisfied with distance learning methods and remain adamant about face to face courses; in response to the competition between online and face to face courses, discord has erupted among teachers and their students. Ellen Laird effectively compares and contrasts the two distinct teaching ideologies and their effects on students and on teachers; Laird accomplishes her analysis of…
In the article “Education 21st Century- Style” by Laura Fording is about online classes gaining popularity because they offer a variety of courses. First , the author explains that online education is more popular among students from kindergarten through high school. According to Fording, the biggest benefit for taking online education is that students have access to a teacher that studied in the best schools and have a high degree. For example, students that live in isolated areas like urban areas could benefit because they could have access to a good teacher and good courses through online education. Fording points out that online education allows teachers and students to see and interact with different statements. Finally, Fording said…
“The history of distance education could be tracked back to the early 1700s in the form of correspondence education, but technology-based distance education might be best linked to the introduction of audiovisual devices into the schools in the early 1900s” (Jeffries, 2012). Technological advances throughout the course of the 1900’s have made distance…
Distance education has become one of the more prominent forms of study due to the ever-changing technology offered to this modern era of students; Technology has thoroughly improved academic success. Distance education has a glorious history that can be traced back to its roots in the early 1840’s. “It was Sir Issac Pitman, the English inventor of shorthand, who in 1840 devised his concept to offer education courses by mail, who, in a historical sense, ushered in the first phase of distance education (Matthews, 1999).” Since scholars have been implementing this form of study it has gone by various monikers such as: postal correspondence courses, independent study, off campus study, outreach education, and mostly recently online education. The one concept that all of these various names have in common are that the student is able to conduct studies over a distance. The technology has come a long way to allow these various forms, from simply mailing books and coursework in its induction, to audio classes and instructional videos in the mid 1900’s, and finally to online coursework in the post millennium.…
Classroom based courses offer more focus than online courses. In a classroom, students are forced to be quiet and listen to the teacher or their peers. They do not have many options besides learning. It is against the rules to sleep, eat and text during the class period. Online, students can do any of those. They can even switch to a different tab with their favorite social network instead of what they’re supposed to be learning. They can text freely on their phones with no one stopping them. With the rules in a classroom, students are far less distracted than when taking a course online.…
One of the comforts of online learning is the convenience of the class settings. Students are not required to sit in class for a long period of time and they can log onto their classes at their own pace. Many Adults work full time jobs and they don’t have time to go to a classroom setting at a local college. I always wanted to continue my…
Simonson, M., Smaldino, S., Albright, M. & Zvacck, S. (2000). Teaching and learning at a distance: Foundations of distance education. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Merrill…
Second, one must establish, which method of learning is appropriate for their educational needs, lifestyle, and time availability. If time is a big factor in one’s lifestyle, online classes will be a better option, because of the allotment of flexibility, free of parking worries, and there is no set time for daily classes. This allows the student more time to cover other daily responsibilities. However, on campus classes allows the student to have a more hands on experience with learning, and closer learning interaction with classmates and instructors.…
An education paves the road to success. From high-school, college, or on-the-job training, the classroom has been the traditional setting for teaching and learning. But nowadays that is rapidly changing. With technology at an advantage, more online schooling and training is taking place of the traditional classroom. Both public and online schools have its fair shares of advantages and disadvantages, but recent research suggests that online educational benefits outweigh that of regular schools and classrooms. Students find that an online education provides less pressure, the ability to concentrate better, and avoiding negative social interactions. While all that might be true, what about the aspects they miss? Examples may be friends, positive social interactions, and building social skills? Is online education really as effective as land based education?…
One variant of electronically based distance learning features complete courses that are offered over the World Wide Web. In many designs of this type, learners may “log on” to the courses they are taking whenever they are free to do so. In addition to promoting wide geographic dispersion of instruction, Web-based courses allow learners to do assignments at times that are convenient for them. In some places, learners take Web-based courses after normal school hours.(p293)…
Online Classes are easier for me to attend due to the convenience of flexible hours, the savings of time and money, and technological edge. Every morning I wake up and make my coffee, log into my computer, and check into my online classroom. I post answers to discussion questions throughout the week, write research papers, take weekly quizzes, and read my textbook all online. I actually enjoy this time. I get to wear my glasses, slippers, yoga pants, and cozy sweater, rather than jeans, boots, make-up and contacts. I don’t have to carry my backpack, find parking, or miss my cat.…