What Is Distance Learning? And Why Is It So Important?

Distance education is the term given to an educational process where students don’t need to go to college daily and can continue with their education at the comfort of their time, place and schedule.

There are numerous colleges offering a large number of campus programmes, but there has always been a growing need for off-campus programmes for students who can’t make it to college daily. And so, distance education came into existence.

The “distance” between a learner and teacher is bridged through distance education.

Earlier in the times, distance education meant just correspondence education where off-campus programmes were designed and students didn’t need to come to college daily. They were provided with printed study material to ease their self-learning process and they have to come to their respective Study centres to give examinations.

Apart from this method, there is another way of distance learning, and that is online learning. It is also one of the most preferred methods of learning during the pandemic. Online learning during Covid attracted people like anything. Students were unable to enrol for a regular course due to social distancing and didn’t want to waste an academic year of their education, therefore the best thing that came to the rescue was online learning programmes, that helped many people to study during the corona crisis.

Many students enrolled on online courses to adopt virtual learning. This is implemented through e-tools by Universities to give the students the best learning experience. This includes the use of a Learning Management System (LMS), e-books, digital textbooks, virtual classes, recorded lectures, video conferencing, e-library and many more, as designed by the Institution. Due to the fast-pacing demand for such courses, many Universities have started introducing specialized distance programmes to reach the unreached, especially to facilitate and spread education amidst the pandemic. All you need is a system and a stable network connection and your college is at your home.

Whereas the various Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) require no approval, all programmes leading to the award of degrees have to be approved by the regulator, that is, the University Grants Commission (UGC).

The major importance of distance learning is because of the incessant benefits it brings along.

Flexibility

The major importance of Distance learning methods is because it provides way more flexibility than regular courses. It provides the students to learn on the go as per schedules of their convenience. It provides the flexibility of time, place and schedule without disturbing their other tasks as it is remote based and students can complete their education without having to do to college daily.

Low fees

These courses are not financially straining like the regular courses. If you need to enrol for a regular course in a decent University, you need to be ready with a handsome amount of money. There could be times where you can’t enrol for a course just because of its high fees. But distance education solves these problems, quite effectively. The fees of distance courses, whether correspondence or online are comparatively much lower than that of regular on-campus programmes.

No age limit

If you could not complete your studies ‘on time’, or have to drop your higher education in between the session, you can restart your academic graph whenever you want. There is no maximum age limit in the distance method of learning, unlike the regular mode. Even if you’re 40 and want to complete your studies, distance education will help you do that.

E-learning resources

If you feel that you’d be unable to get the most out of this study method, then you should know what facilities this mode of learning. Universities ensure that the e-learners get the best learning experience as they get in the campus studies. It is made possible through various e-learning resources and tools such as digital textbooks, quick learning book, simulated case studies, practical assignments, online discussion forums, web resources for research, gamified practice tests and other latest technology methods as designed by the University.

Time-saving

The distance method saves time by providing flexibility in time and schedule. You can manage other tasks at home or continue with your employment while completing your education. It also saves travel time since your college is at home and you don’t need to go anywhere to attend classes. The time saved can be utilized for other productive tasks.

Study-life balance

There could be people who are busy in their personal life, have kids to take care of, running a business or just can’t find time to attend regular classes. But they have been willing to complete or upgrade their education. The distance method of learning brings a study-life balance for them as they can manage both without compromising anything.

Promotions/Career enhancement

For people who are already employed but want to study further, distance learning comes as a blessing for them. There are many companies that demand MBA or other high qualification for promotions. The candidates can thus complete their higher studies without leaving their jobs. It also allows students to change or upgrade job roles and climb the career ladder faster.

Recognition

Online degrees are accepted by many companies and employers in India as long as it is accredited and approved by Distance Education Council (DEC) of India. Many organizations are encouraging their employees for getting online education as well. The value of distance learning courses holds the same value and recognition as that of the regular courses as approved by University Grants Commission. Whereas the various Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) require no approval, all programmes leading to the award of degrees have to be approved by the regulator, that is, the University Grants Commission (UGC).

Practical learning

Distance learning is also important from the point of view of fast-changing technology. The continuous use of e-tools, e-resources and online learning methods will groom the students with the usage of technology and be hands-on with the virtual world things. It will help them to continuously update and upgrade them with the global needs and changing demands.

Online learning during the pandemic helped the students to complete their education even while sitting at home. Distance education during Covid-19 got a new life and importance since people and Universities realized the growing need and demand for internet-based learning or learning at your convenience, which is the future of education. The course and curriculum are strategically designed to ease the self-learning process for the students enrolled on the distance degree programmes.

The only challenge that people face is to find the best combination among the huge list of courses and colleges. To simplify your search and make the best career decision, the counsellors by VidyaPlanet are helping you in your distance education journey through free counselling at no hidden costs.

So why wait?

Enrol today to shape your future tomorrow!

Btw, you ever thought you could attend classes while eating snacks?

Talk to our counsellors and simplify your search.