In this day and age, the development of technology has popularized distance-learning and teaching activities, especially in the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite its drawbacks, distance learning provides great learning options for students.
On the first hand, distance-learning has some shortcomings. First, there are some concerns about how students grasp lessons. Despite its convenience, learning online can deprive students of lecturers’ direct instructions and make them feel less involved in learning activities, regardless of external distractions like facilitation access or study environment. To illustrate, a study conducted in the UK reported that 58% of students were less engaged in online classes than in normal ones. As a result, lessons could not be fully delivered and students’ understanding is limited. Second, the course outcome is likely to be less reliable. Distance classes need to hold exams or annual tests via online platforms or use various combinations of assessment methods, such as portfolios, essays or projects. This results in questions about the credibility of degrees due to inequality in facilitating conditions and the likelihood of cheating in exams.
On the other hand, apart from the concerns expressed above, joining distance courses is an ideal method of learning in this era. Online distancing courses provide learners with great flexibility and convenience. With distance learning programs, students can pursue and complete their desired courses regardless of geographical distance and time as long as they have devices connected to the Internet. More importantly, they can learn at their own pace different people learn in different ways and at different speeds. As a result, students are more likely to feel less stressed about their learning which leads to better absorption of knowledge. Additionally, holding online courses is a way of saving money, both for the institutions and for learners. Generally, the cost of online-based education programs is lower compared to those offered in brick-and-mortar institutions and taking an online course also eliminates the costs associated with commuting. From this, students can save a great deal of money for more necessary expenses.
In conclusion, although learning and assessment is less controlled, distance courses have various advantages including its flexibility and saving.
In this day and age, the development of technology has popularized distance-learning and teaching activities,
especially
in the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. Despite its drawbacks,
distance
learning
provides great
learning
options for students.
On the
first
hand, distance-learning has
some
shortcomings.
First
, there are
some
concerns about how
students
grasp lessons. Despite its convenience,
learning
online
can deprive
students
of lecturers’ direct instructions and
make
them feel
less
involved in
learning
activities, regardless of external distractions like facilitation access or study environment. To illustrate, a study conducted in the UK reported that 58% of
students
were
less
engaged in
online
classes than in normal ones.
As a result
, lessons could not be
fully
delivered and
students’
understanding
is limited
. Second, the
course
outcome is likely to be
less
reliable.
Distance
classes need to hold exams or annual
tests
via
online
platforms or
use
various combinations of assessment methods, such as portfolios, essays or projects. This results in questions about the credibility of degrees due to inequality in facilitating conditions and the likelihood of cheating in exams.
On the other hand
, apart from the concerns expressed above, joining
distance
courses
is an ideal method of
learning
in this era.
Online
distancing
courses
provide learners with great flexibility and convenience. With
distance
learning
programs,
students
can pursue and complete their desired
courses
regardless of geographical
distance
and time as long as they have devices connected to the Internet. More
importantly
, they can learn at their
own
pace
different
people
learn in
different
ways and at
different
speeds.
As a result
,
students
are more likely to feel
less
stressed
about their
learning
which leads to better absorption of knowledge.
Additionally
, holding
online
courses
is a way of saving money, both for the institutions and for learners.
Generally
, the cost of online-based education programs is lower compared to those offered in brick-and-mortar institutions and taking an
online
course
also
eliminates the costs associated with commuting. From this,
students
can save a great deal of money for more necessary expenses.
In conclusion
, although
learning
and assessment is
less
controlled,
distance
courses
have various advantages including its flexibility and saving.