10 Key Benefits of Distance Learning

Tips for Engaging with students more productively

Students often have apprehensions over opting for higher education via distance learning, as they lack clarity about the pros and cons of this mode of education. It’s a good idea to understand the benefits of pursuing a degree through distance education before you decide if you want to go for this model.

You must realize that distance education might not be the best choice for every student, but understanding its advantages and drawbacks can help you decide if distance learning is right for you

FLEXIBILITY & CHEATER

Online classes are often cheaper -With student loan debt spilling into the trillions, the cost of education is an omnipresent force that’s gripped the student body. What’s more, as universities across the nation vie to attract students because of dips in enrollment, keeping operating costs down is also of importance to university staff.

Greater flexibility for students and instructors – One of the greatest benefits of distance learning programs is the flexibility that they offer to students like Haynes and others. Being able to take online classes affords students the option to get an education in the setting of their choice at the time of their choice. In a way, it’s an empowering notion that grants students the control of their own education.

SELF-PACED & ACCOUNTABILITY

Personal development and accountability – Students who undertake online programs must be driven enough to set their own schedules so that they’re actively keeping up with the class and completing assignments on time. Personal accountability and organization are transferrable skills that can benefit those students as they transition into the professional world.

It’s self-paced — mostly – While online classes still have assignment deadlines just like traditional classes do, these classes are mostly self-paced, which means students can work as quickly as they want, so long as they’re completing course work on time in an accurate way.

EARN A LIVING, WHILE FURTHERING YOUR EDUCATION

Earn a Living – Every student has a motive for furthering his or her education. That could be opening up new job opportunities, or it could simply be expanding insight into a field of study. Whatever the reason, it all needs to get paid for. For many students, that means working their way through college.

A location-agnostic model – Imagine being able to travel the world while working through a biology class. Or, working a continent away while finishing up your master’s degree. Online classes can be done essentially anywhere that offers an internet connection.

AN EXPANDED GLOBAL NETWORK OF PEERS

A must-have recruiting tool – Since distance learning is growing in popularity among post-secondary students, programs like these become a tangible recruiting tool that universities can leverage when attracting students from around the country and the world.

An expanded global network of peers – Distance learning benefits students all around the world because the restrictions of time and location have been lifted. What this means is that students from multiple different countries could in theory all attend the same class or even earn the same degree from a university that’s potentially thousands of miles away.

AN ENRICHING LEARNING EXPERIENCE

More chances to find career opportunities – Online classes aren’t always subjected to the same limitations that physical classrooms are. That means some classes might have more seats available, which then brings more students together. Pair that with the idea that students from around the world are coming together, it very well could lead to more career opportunities for students.

An enriching learning experience – Because distance learning can give students from around the world an opportunity to study together, offer flexibility to working students, and help others hone their accountability and organizational skills, these programs become much more than just a class or a degree