Introduction
Distance education is the kind of education where students do not need to be physically present in a traditional school environment before they can take classes and learn. In the past, colleges offered correspondence courses where they would send educational materials by post office mail to students registered to take their courses. When students were done reading the materials and answering questions they would send their responses back to the college.
One of the first such distance learning programs was a shorthand course taught by Sir Isaac Pitman in the 1840s, which he used to teach via postcard.
Today, also called distance learning, distance education has evolved. It now involves making use of technology such as the internet, websites and videos to facilitate teaching and learning (Allen and Seaman, 2011 as cited in Kentnor, 2015).
This essay reviews the importance of distance learning presently and in the future. It also highlights the advantages and disadvantages.
Merriam Webster defines distance education as a “method of study where teachers and students do not meet in a classroom but use the internet, e-mail, mail, etc, to have classes”.
Distance education has become a crucial part of today’s education system. There has been a steady rise in the number of courses higher institutions are offering to interested students because of the growing demand for online learning.
According to reports from America’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), about 6.9 million students enrolled in a distance education course in fall of 2018. Primary and secondary school learners have also joined, with video conferencing and homework given online.
Technology is currently closing the physical space between learners and instructors. As the technological communication system evolves, and the need for more knowledge and skill increases, the demand for distance learning will continue to soar and change the face of education. Distance learning will adapt to the digital culture of our future world.
(Sener J, 2012 as cited in Kentnor, 2015 pg 30) notes that “education has been, is being, and will continue to be cyberized”.
Importance of distance education
Distance education meets a vast level of education need that can be utilized wisely in times of crisis.
Nations of the world have in the past experienced different crises that have directly or indirectly disrupted education and affected how students learn. Situations like political and armed conflict, natural disasters and health epidemic, sometimes may cause schools to be destroyed and shut for some time.
The current coronavirus pandemic like other past crises creates an urgent need for learning to continue online, to avoid a decline in education.
According to an April 2020 Unesco report, global school closures because of covid-19 has affected about 90%, that is I.6 billion students across all levels of education. In these times, taking advantage of pre-existing distance learning models is the only reasonable option available.
Presently, distance education has dramatically changed how the world learns. Every institution all over the world is now taking classes via digital platforms because of the pandemic.
(Dhawan, 2020) asserts that “online learning serves as a panacea in times of crisis”. Given this, academic institutions all over the world must include online learning as part of their teaching model. The traditional face to face method of learning can no longer stand on its own.
Whether in times of crisis, distance education has many advantages that can benefit the world presently and in the future in times of crisis. Some advantages are outlined below.
Advantages of distance learning
Distance learning is very flexible. It offers a self-paced learning environment where students learn at a speed comfortable for them. Learners that are busy and working can plan their time of taking classes and completing the program.
Distance education is easily accessible and with the help of current internet and web coverage, students can have access to multiple learning resources. They can sit in the comfort of their homes and take study programs in distant towns or foreign countries, access lecture videos, study materials, conferencing and meetings with instructors.
Distance education is costing both institutions and students less. For students, the elimination of, cost of commuting to school, materials in print and school accommodation provides them with a cheaper option to learn.
In the same way, schools are cutting out the cost of physical structures and other expenses that comes with it.
Many schools are running a blended online program. This provides a better-learning opportunity for students, as it gives them more options, and the chance to learn with the inclusion of technology in their studies.
Students have the privilege of viewing recorded classes again, which can serve as a revision (Basilala et al, 2020 as cited in Dhawan, 2020 ).
A study by the Research Institute of America says student retention jumped from a 25-60% rate when they took part in e-learning (online). This is because of the opportunity to re-view lecture videos.
Although the availability of distance education is meeting the needs of today’s ever-changing, technologically driven world, the disadvantage can not be disregarded.
The disadvantage of distance education
One disadvantage of distance learning is that students are beginning to feel it is the full responsibility of the instructor to stir up motivation in them. (Community College Research Center, 2013 as cited in Nash, 2015 pg,81). With this kind of perception, learners will not put effort into their studies. The result of which may be poor grades.
The flexibility in, and self-paced structure of distance learning might one day bring about a low quality in education, as students’ grades may decline if they do not possess the skill of self-discipline and personal motivation towards their studies. The future of this may also mean that schools may lower the bar just to ensure students are still signing up for their courses (Cote and Allahar, 2011 as cited in Nash, 2015 pg, 80).
Technical issues like insufficient bandwidth, low network strength and lack of knowledge to navigate web information can hinder effective learning (Favale et al, 2020 as cited in Dhawan, 2020).
Lastly, the online nature of distance learning may make it less engaging and interactive enough for students to fully participate. Instructors can overlook the use of materials that aid in teaching and learning.
Conclusion
Distance learning is a concept that promotes learning in a way where the student and the teachers are in separate locations.
In times of crisis, it is the go-to solution for learning to continue. The recent coronavirus crisis has pushed further the need for institutions to adopt a fully digital learning model.
(Dhawan, 2020) states that “Situations of crisis are the hardest hurdles in the path of education”. In view of this, schools have to adopt distance learning as a way to safeguard education presently and in times of crisis in the future.
Reference
Allen I and Seaman J, (2013). Changing course: Ten years of tracking online education in the United States. The online consortium Available at: https://onlinelearningconsortium.org/survey_report/changing-course-ten-years-tracking-online-education-united-states/ [Accessed:] 8 March 2020
Bojovic Z, Bojovic P, Vujosevic D and Suh J, (2020). Education in times of crisis: Rapid transition to distance learning. Computer Application in Engineering Education vol (28), pp, (1467-1489) Available at:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cae.22318 [Accessed:] 8 march 2020
Dhawan S, (2020). Online Learning: A Panacea in the Time of Covid-19 Crisis. Journal of Educational Technology Systems Available at: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0047239520934018 [Accessed:] 9 March 2020
Kentnor H, (2015). Distance Education and the Evolution of Online Learning in the United States. Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue vol 17 Nos, (1& 2) Available at: https://digitalcommons.du.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1026&context=law_facpub [Accessed:] 9 March 2020
Nash J, (2015). Future of Online Education in Crisis: A Call to Action. The Turkish Online Journal of Education Technology, Vol 14 Issue (2), Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/274640281_Future_of_online_education_in_crisis_A_call_to_action [Accessed:] 10 March 2020.
Palvia S, Aeron P, Gupta P, Mahapatra D, Parida R, Rosner R, and Sindhi S, (2018). Online Education: Worldwide Status, Challenges, Trends and Implications. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, Vol 2 Issue (4), Available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/329201766_Online_Education_Worldwide_Status_Challenges_Trends_and_Implications Accessed 10 March 2020.
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