Distance learning is a mode of study where educators and students are working far from each other in both distance and time. It is a common mode of study in higher education. It is a trend worth considering if you are planning to seek higher education. But just like any other mode of study, there are pros and cons that define it. We’ll look at both and provide valuable insights into how you can minimize the cons to work to your advantage.
The top benefit that you get when you choose distance learning is saving time and energy. Imagine all the hassles that students face having to commute to and from school. You can prevent all the hectic moments by using your device to log into a virtual classroom and engage with the learning activities. In addition to saving time and energy, distance learning is also flexible. Most courses are designed to encourage students to study at their pace. You can perform coursework at any time that fits your busy schedule. It is an educational model where you get a chance to become a master of your schedule.
The biggest benefit of distance learning is that it allows students to work while they are studying. You can maintain your full-time work and enroll in a part-time course in a fire academy. Maintaining your regular job means that you earn money while studying. Therefore, you can fund your education while studying. It also eliminates the waiting period between graduation and work placement. Since you are already working, you don’t have to stay out of work to get another job. You can hold on to your job while you are looking for another job after graduation.
Not only is distance learning flexible but also affordable. It is affordable because institutions cut the expenses of keeping students on campus. Students can also reduce the cost because they no longer have to commute to and from school or arrange on-campus accommodation.
Lack of physical interaction is the leading drawback of distance learning. Educators are role models and need to model the learning experiences for learners to understand. This cannot be achieved through virtual learning. However, educators can create interactive platforms that allow learners to interact with each other and their educators. But still, the quality of interaction in distance learning cannot be compared to a physical classroom.
Distance education requires students to be self-motivated. The motivation for learning is really low because there is no one to guide your learning schedule. Once you get a timetable with the deadlines for submissions, you are left alone to determine how you will study for your exams. Students with low motivation cannot work well when studying online. They will lose focus and often run late on submissions or submit poor-quality work. Therefore, students must assess their motivation levels to gauge if they can perform well in a distanced education. Honesty in this analysis is key as it determines whether or not you should enroll in an online course.
Distance education presents more benefits than drawbacks. But is important for learners to understand both the pros and cons and decide with this information. For short courses, such as firefighting, an online-based school like a firefighter academy can work well for students. Therefore, an assessment of the course requirements is also important to determine the viability of distance learning