FACT BOX: Did you know?
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The first distance
education course was implemented by Sir Isaac Pitman in the
1840s. He taught a system of shorthand by mailing texts transcribed into
shorthand on postcards and in return he received transcriptions from his
students for correction.
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The concepts: Traditional learning, Correspondence/
Distance Education, Online learning, let’s get to understanding the basics.
Traditional learning is synonymous to class-room learning,
students and teachers get together in real time. Distance education refers to
ways in which education may be delivered to students in remote locations, which
allows students the flexibility to learn without being physically present on
the campus. It is designed to offer students who cannot commit to on-site study
the opportunity to pursue education in non-traditional formats. Distance
education may include online degree programs, correspondence courses, CD-ROM
education and many others. All course materials are given to the student via mail
or electronic means so that they can master the materials at their own pace and
time and which does not involve a specific timetable. Distance Education may
not necessarily include any face-to-face interaction with the teacher, but this
method has surely changed in the modern times to inculcate a few features that
the Online education model of learning has to offer. Hence, Online Education
these days is often seen as a part of Distance education and sometimes they are
used interchangeably.
The only point of difference between Distance education and
Online Education is that Online education had evolved due to the current
advancement in technology, Students who own or have access to PCs can pursue an
online degree by completing coursework via the Internet. Online education specifically
offers a far more interactive environment than the traditional correspondence
model does. The teacher and the student
can have a face-to-face, simultaneous interaction during live chats in virtual
classrooms. They could be geographically isolated, yet they can have a
quasi-face-to-face environment, enhancing academic rigor through discussion
boards, email, instant messaging, e-libraries, cell phone applications,
teleconferences and weekly assignments. Students enrolled in these programs
receive and submit coursework online and interact with fellow students and
faculty by email or through other forms of electronic communication.
Distance/ Online education has gained popularity over the
last decade thanks to technological advancement and has contributed to many who
cannot educate themselves further due to various reasons. Yet students are
often plagued with doubts when opting for distance/online education. Often
apprehension sets in is because they are not clear on the pros and cons of
distance education and if distance education is right for them.
There are quite a few advantages of
distance education, the following pointers will help you consider if distance
education is worth a shot.
- Opportunity to
life-long learning – Many people have families to support and cannot
leave full time work for full time education. Distance learning is perfect
for people of all ages who want to gain knowledge or add a certification
to help them gain a competitive edge at their workplaces or for those who
want to learn a new course and don’t want to get back to regular schooling.
- Study at your own pace,
Flexibility option – Distance education works on the methodology of
finishing the course within a stipulated period of time. Course materials
are also handed over to students at the onset of the programme. Since everyone
learns at a difference pace; distance education gives students the option
to decide how much they choose study each day.
- Helps at overcoming the
fear of learning – Many are often intimidated at the prospect of not
being able to learn as fast as the others, asking a question or raising a
doubt amid a classroom full of students could make many hesitate from
raising their queries. For those in
such situations complete learning support is provided by the distant
educator by connecting students with faculties through discussion boards, regular
chat facilities, webinars, live streaming lectures etc.
- Saves time, energy and
costs – many on-line/ distant courses are tad cheaper than their on-campus
counterparts. Distant courses also cut down on travel costs as there is no
to and fro travelling involved, many times people may also be living in
locations where a particular course is not conveniently
available/accessible through traditional classes. The course materials
made available online also alleviate the cost of textbooks.
On the flip-side, there are quite a few disadvantages to Distant learning as well. The
following will help you gauge some of them.
- Questionable
credibility of a course – with the increase in awareness and
acceptability to distant education, there is a steep rise in scamsters
offering fraudulent and non- accredited degrees doing the rounds as well.
Hence, In India, all distance education programmes that are approved by the
University Grants Commission (UGC) stand automatically recognized for the
purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government.
- Does not foster
networking or friendships – because students don’t study on campus
premises, friendships and networking that could happen within a classroom
full of students is deterred in a virtual classroom which could get lonely
while studying. Graduates from the traditional premier educational
institutions have an edge over students who study distant/online because
they get opportunities to network with established alumni, distinguished
faculty and industry experts which go a long way in paving a secure
career.
- Not valued by all
employers – Employer views towards candidates with distant education
degrees are generally mixed. Some who maybe technologically savvy maybe
far more receptive towards candidates who have gained degrees online.
Others perhaps due to lack of awareness may be resilient. If you have
considerable work experience and look to enhance your portfolio by adding
a degree through distant learning, many employers look at that as
‘enhancing the career graph’. Interestingly it is very much a norm amongst
many recruiters to favour candidates that have earned a degree through
traditional means over online/distant education hence, for those who have
gained a distant education degree with no previous work experience are
generally second favoured.
- Dependency on
technology – Online courses are not for those who are not well-versed
with technology or don’t have the means to use the internet at easy
disposal. Another aspect is that not all courses can be taught online.
Medical and engineering courses can’t be taught online or through distance
courses because they require a fair use of labs for experiments, practical
and research work.
- Does not teach
important life skills– when learning happens in virtual classrooms,
important life skills like interpersonal, communication, leadership, &
social skills are not learnt. These skills can mostly be acquired if one
participates and interacts in large social groups like the ones within a
classroom, an activity group, or cultural events organized in colleges.
How do I
decide which method of Distant learning is right for me?
Online/Distant learning
methodology can be divided into 2 major categories called Synchronous and
Asynchronous methodology. To decide which learning technique works best for
you, it is crucial to understand the two main techniques in which
distant/online courses are generally imparted.
- Synchronous method –
this method requires teachers and students to be present at a particular
time for a live chat session/lecture online. Methods such as webinars, and video
conferencing, web based VoIP, or telephonic conversations allows teachers
and students to collaborate and learn in real time. This method is
synonymous to the Online education model
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Advantage: because the instructions are
“real-time” based, it gives it a class-room feel and keeps the motivation to
learn.
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Disadvantage: Students may not be able to
choose their own time, pace and method of interaction with the faculty.
- Asynchronous method
– Students access course materials at their own schedules. This method
doesn’t require simultaneously participation of teacher and student. asynchronous
delivery include e-mail, audiocassette courses, videotaped courses, print
materials, message board forums etc. this method is similar to the
Correspondence education model.
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Advantage: it is Self-paced. for those
who are looking to learn at their own pace, and comfort this approach is for
them.
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Disadvantage: because asynchronous method
is a self-paced instruction method, it places a substantial burden on the
student to maintain interest, focus, and pace. The motivation to study could
sometimes be difficult to sustain.
The best method of distance education is generally a mix of
both Synchronous and Asynchronous methods. Hence looking for a
college/university that provides a good mix of both the methods would be a good
distant education model. For E.g. A university offers course materials before
the onset of a programme and also allots timings where students can get to talk
to their teachers perhaps on a weekly basis or more, to solve any queries
related to their coursework.
Distance learning in India
Distance education is imparted by three kinds of
institutions:
- Open Universities
- Departments of
Correspondence - Courses in universities and university level
institutions.
- A large number of private
institutions - mostly offering short term vocational courses. There is no
territorial restriction for enrolment of students.
Rank
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University
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Top Courses
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1
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Indira
Gandhi National Open University
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Engineering,
Phd, MBA, MCA, B.ed, Law and Certificate courses
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2
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Yashwantrao
Chavan Maharashtra Open University
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Architechture,
Computer Programming, B.ed, MBA, Life Sciences and Certificate courses.
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3
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Dr BR
Ambedkar Open University
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Commerce,
B.ed, Library Science, MBA, PG Diploma, Health Science and Insurance Courses
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4
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Dr.
Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
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B.ed,
Diploma, MCA, Hotel and Tourism Management courses
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5
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Netaji
Subhas Open University
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B.ed,
Graduate, Health Sciences and PG Diploma courses
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6
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M.P.
Bhoj (Open) University
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MBA,
Post Graduate, Science, Languages, Law, Diploma and PG Diploma courses
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7
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U.P.
Rajarshi Tandon Open University
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Graduate,
B.ed, Certificate, Management courses
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8
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Tamil
Nadu Open University
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M.Phil
, MBA, MCA and PG Diploma courses
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9
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Karnataka
State Open University
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B.ed,
Law, MBA and Commerce courses
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10
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Vardhaman
Mahaveer Open University
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M.Phil,
MBA, Journalism and Commerce courses
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11
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Uttarakhand
Open University
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Post
Graduate, Ayurveda, Law and MBA courses
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12
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Nalanda
Open University
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Phd and
Certificate courses
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13
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Pt.
Sunder Sharma Open Uuniversity
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Graduate
and Certificate courses
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14
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KK
Handique State University
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Diploma
and Certificate courses
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How do I identify a genuine
university from a fake?
In accordance with the directions of the Central Government
in December 2012, the responsibility of undertaking the regulatory functions of
the Distance Education has been transferred from Distance Education Council
(DEC) to University Grants Commission (UGC). Thus, UGC is the sole regulating
body in India for distance education, granting approvals to only those
institutes that offer courses that follow certain standards and guidelines laid
down by the board.
While choosing the institute for distance education, you
must keep in mind to select the approved ones. Look up the UGC website for a
comprehensive state-wise approved list of colleges and universities, and make
the right choice.
Admission procedures for distance
learning
The admission requirements for a distant learning programme
may vary with the degree you choose to study as well as from one university to
another. After you have verified about the credibility of the desired
university for distance education with the UGC list, the next step is to log on
to the university/college website and read the procedures that are to be
followed to enroll for a distant course with the university.
Distance Education: the abroad
perspective
Almost all Distant learning and Online universities offer
courses that include Bachelors, Masters and PhD. Most popular are Management
subjects that are gaining popularity among mid-career management professionals
looking for further qualifications to help them progress the leadership ladder.
Often subjects like MBA lend themselves well to part time study, as the
simultaneous experience within the field is helpful in applying to learnt
skills.
Before choosing a long distance programme with a
university abroad, it is important to access the reputation of the university
and of the chosen course. You must run a check with whether your distant
learning provider is accredited by national bodies such as the United States
Department of Education (USDE) or the Council of Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA)
This article is also published in the print magazine - The Teenager Today, Mumbai, India.
http://theteenagertoday.com/is-distance-education-right-for-you/