Distance_Education

Is Distance Education right for you' This is My Title Should you take an online college course, or sign up to earn a degree online' In the past decade, distance learning has taken both the internet and college campuses throughout the nation by surprise. It is a new way of thinking about seeking higher education. Lectures, discussions, assignments, exams, and even multimedia presentations are now available online; and there is little to no face to face contact with your instructor, as well as other students. E-Learning is a convenient way to receive education and training, but it is not easier than the traditional educational process. In fact, it often requires more time and commitment. Distance learning is more difficult than on campus classes because of limited social interaction, requires self-motivation and technological issues. One major factor that contributes to the difficulty of distance education is the existence of limited social interaction. Even though online classes often have chat rooms and message boards, students do not consider them to be a total substitute for physical class room interactions. Students taking any type of course online have a very limited ability to participate in live stimulating discussions with their classmates and also the instructor of the course. Some critics claim that “web-based or online learning is not as effective as traditional classroom learning because of its lack of face to face interactions. For example, Mark Bullen conducted a case study which exclaimed student participation and critical thinking in a college level undergrad course, utilizing computer mediated conferencing. The study showed that some quite a bit of students felt disconnected from others in this specific type of learning environment; and also cited that lack of facial expressions and other features common in a traditional class environment lead to discouragement. Also, in a traditional classroom setting, a student’s performance can be immediately assessed through questions and informal testing. With distance learning, a student has to wait for feedback until the instructor has reviewed their work and responded to it. Online education is also more challenging than on campus classes due to another major factor that students often face motivational issues since they work on their own time, and also at their own pace. What you get out of an e-Learning program is directly related to the amount of effort you put in. Successful e-Learning students are able to study independently and incorporate study time into their busy lives. Many distance-education students are older, have jobs, and families. They must coordinate the different areas of their lives which influence each other and their families, jobs, spare time, and studies. In distance education, the learner is usually isolated. The motivational factors arising from the contact or competition with other students is absent. The student also lacks the immediate support of a teacher who is present and able to motivate and, if necessary, give attention to actual needs and difficulties that crop up during study. The longer a distance-learning course is, the more difficult it is to remain motivated. This lack of motivation often stems from other difficulties like isolation and lack of mentorship. It is even harder to motivate yourself if you are struggling with the course. This is why being self-motivated, as well as self-disciplined is critical to success in completing a distance education program. Unfortunately, those students who do not possess these two qualities tend to drop out of the program early on in the studies. This may be due to the fact that you will not find the professor or other students reminding you to get to work, stay on task, or turn your assignments in on time. Also, because the student taking the distance education class is required to basically teach them through reading textbooks and online research, it is very easy to fall behind. According to Jill M. Galusha from the University of Southern Mississippi, “loss of student motivation due to the lack of face to face contact with teachers and peers is a barrier to successful distance learning. And due to the fact that distance learning is flexible, a student must possess good organization, planning and work to make it happen. Like all other forms of learning, there are deadlines to be met, fixed-time exams to be taken, and assignments to be completed before the drop box closes. There are no compromises and it is easy for students to receive a zero! Distance learning is best suited for mature motivated learners who cannot afford the time to participate in a traditional classroom. Evan & Hasse (2001) found out that learners are moderately lacking in computer proficiency and, since e-learning is centered around computer technologies, it is a barrier to those learners without good computer skills. In addition, studies of Evan & Hasse (2001), O’Regan (2003) and Rovai & Jordan (2004) found out that learners face limited physical interactions among themselves in e-learning. It is very important for students to have computer literacy, and constant access to equipment and technology. Any e-Learning system involves basic equipment and a minimum level of computer knowledge in order to perform the tasks required by the system. A student that does not possess these skills, or have access to these tools, cannot succeed in an e-Learning program. Students need to have total access to the equipment necessary in order to fulfill the course requirements. For example, online courses require students to have a computer with Internet access. For a course with material on CD or DVD, you need to have a multimedia player. Technical requirement can often be difficult to meet for many students who may feel overwhelmed and challenged if they are not completely computer literate. Technical glitches and dealing with an unfamiliar learning environment can cause stress and frustration, but there are many ways to overcome these barriers. Besides the cost of the technology requirements, there is also the possibility of not utilizing all its potential. Some of these problems come from a lack of training; some from the instructor’s attitudes about using the technology, and more commonly from others by hardware problems. It seems to be self-evident those instructors need to be trained to use distance learning technology, but too often they are not. Equipment and hardware malfunctions can be a great detriment to the effectiveness of distance learning. When a problem occurs in a class everything comes to a halt and the whole learning environment is interrupted. Despite hardware problems that may or may not get worked out with new advances in technology, instructors and their attitudes towards teaching in a distance-learning environment is also a major potential roadblock to effective distance education. Just like in any educational situation, the instructor can set the tone for learning in the educational environment. That instructor must be properly trained and motivated to be effective. An instructor must have technological skills and confidence to use all of the various electronic devices in order to be truly effective in the electronic classroom. Instructors must also change the manner in which information is delivered. While some people agree that distance learning has come a long way and opened new vistas in the field of education, some researchers are still questioning the value of learning through nontraditional means. Distance education most certainly offers benefits for students of all ages, however, being successful means understanding that this learning environment is not without challenges. They differ greatly from traditional classroom courses in terms of how the material is presented and the nature of the interaction among class members and instructors. And you may find that distance and online courses are not compatible with your learning style. Before you enroll to take classes through an online school, check to make sure distance learning is really right for you. Earning a degree online can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. But, distance education is not for everyone. While some people thrive on the independence and freedom offered through such classes, others find themselves regretting their decision and wishing they had enrolled at a traditional school instead. By having a realistic view of what to expect from instructors and how to prepare themselves, students can oversee challenges and gain the success they seek. REFRENCES Galusha, J. M. (2008, Fall). Barriers to Learning in distance education [Web log post]. Retrieved from http://www.infrastruction.com/barriers.htm Limitations of e-Learning . (2009, June 19). Limitations of e-Learning (par 1, par 3). Retrieved from NFSTC website: http://www.nfstc.org/pdi/Subject00/ pdi_s00_m03_02_b.htm