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Plan Your Career: Boundaries blur when one opts for distance learning
The benefits of pursuing online courses toughens up one for life’s challenges, although the value of learning together in classrooms in better
By
migrator
migrator
Chennai
Due to family and financial issues, I discontinued my master’s degree after attending classes for a few months. I am working now in a small company. But I would like to continue distance learning course. Does distance learning programme present similar opportunities like a regular college? What are the pros and cons? (Saranya Gopalan)
Wish I had known the course you had done in your Master’s. It is also relevant to answer in general for a good query like this. Many students have this doubt and are confused. With the arrival of online education, there is an explosion of distance and online learning institutions. You need to double-check that the online programme that interests you and fits your life and job prospects. It is important to check whether the institutions are recognised and accredited. While examining the disadvantages and advantages, let us get the bad news out first.
Disadvantages:
- The most common thing pointed out is that it is devoid of personal interaction with tutors. It can seriously affect the learning process in the students.
- One is forced to live as an island. You miss out on friends, networking and the fun of being together that contributes to the holistic growth of an individual.
- Not all the courses are available in distance or the online stream. The employers still seem to give step-motherly treatment to distance education graduates.
- It is highly self-directed. Can you survive? It is at times discouraging and daunting.
- Though more and more universities introduce distance learning, the stigma on its reputation has not vanished completely.
- One’s social interaction suffers severely.
Advantages:
- It is a distinct advantage for those who have no access to regular educational opportunities.
- Technology plays a pivotal role here. In the process, it optimises one’s technological knowledge.
- It readies one to self-discipline and at the same time, flexibility in scheduling one’s time and place.
- Online learning opens up to a world of resources from all around the globe.
- Allows one to take up courses from anywhere in the world without having to be present in the university. You don’t need to go through the ordeal of visas and exorbitant fees. In every way, traditional colleges are expensive compared to distance education.
- Without geographical boundaries, you get to learn in the best of the universities of the world. It is as convenient as one’s laptop.
- It does not interfere with your job or career. This could be done completely in your free time.
- With online courses, you can also watch lectures and be interactive.
Mostly the syllabus now is identical. In your situation, it is completely justifiable to continue in distance education. You can always switch from one stream to another after graduating. Online education also plays a predominant role in the campus by way of assignments, projects and tests.
Higher technological dependence might diminish the difference in the future. But as of now, though the joy of learning solely depends on the individual, the value of learning is in learning together.
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