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Distance Learning

Information on distance learning is readily available.

Now, distance learning has come of age and the huge amount of courses being offered via distance learning, correspondence, opening learning and home study courses literally caters for all needs and tastes.

Virtually everything is covered, from thousands of IT qualifications, to in-depth animal husbandry courses. From GCSEs to higher degrees, it’s all available via the post and most commonly, the internet.

But first, let’s be clear what we mean by distance learning. Basically, it is defined as learning away from a physical place of education. In other words, the work is not completed in a physical classroom, but in the learner’s home, or office, and completed by the post, or online. Hence, nowadays there are ‘virtual’ education establishments, with virtual classrooms and tutors. Now, many distance learning courses are organised by physical colleges and schools, and the course may involve some physical attendance, but mostly, the physical location of the educator is irrelevant.

And the spread of the internet, with ever-faster Broadband links, has made the concept of distance learning even more exciting. The virtual school, with software creating a computer generated education environment, has opened up a wealth of potential learning opportunities.

There are obviously pros and cons to distance learning. One of the biggest advantages is being able to plan your learning around your own needs and demands. People’s lives are pretty hectic, so being able to plan your own timetable is a big plus. Also, learning from home suits a lot of people and saves them time. And with distance learning, you can often work at your own pace and not the pace of the class around you.

As to the disadvantages, people can find hard the level of self-motivation needed to complete certain courses and others miss the physical interaction with other students.

Regarding financial support whilst doing distance learning courses, there is money available depending on personal situations and the course involved, so it might well work out a very cost-effective move.

And one final word of advice; always check out the establishment offering the distance learning course. Ensure what they are offering is a credible course and qualification.