Distance Education Essay

In the modern world of education traditional study at the universities and colleges is gradually complemented or even replaced by new technologies of distance learning. It is characterized as a process of delivering teaching to students who are not physically present in classrooms. This type of education has gained its growing popularity with the developing of Internet, as students can simply communicate with their teachers and exchange materials over the net, even living in the different parts of the world.

Distance learning has a lot of benefits that make it really a strong and prospective competitor against a traditional education. For example, attending a distance course, learners can study at their own place, time and speed, choose individual and flexible schedules and combine different activities simultaneously. It is also beneficial for people over 25 who mostly have a full time job and can study after it. Distance learning is preferred by females especially Indian, as they have time restriction and strict rules or simply would like to stay close to home. Also it is a great financial advantage as during distance courses travel expenses and educational fees are significantly lower.

There are many different methods that are used in the distance education. The most popular and effective are e-mails, forums, faxes, audio and video recordings, print materials, web and video conferencing, internet radio, telephone, live streaming and much more others. Thank to all these technologies distance learners receive the same number of writing assignments, materials and worksheets as traditional students on campus.

My personal attitude to the distance education is quite ambiguous as on the one hand, it truly has a lot of benefits for students and can solve many educational problems in the future. But on the other hand, I can not imagine student life without attending lectures, communicating with group-mates and teachers, passing exams, receiving good or bad grades, loving stories and much more fascinating stuff that is worthy for going to the campus for even more than six years.