subject: Distance Learning with an Online University makes Higher Education more Accessible [print this page] Distance Learning with an Online University makes Higher Education more Accessible
With more and more people heading to university each year, the job market is becoming ever-more competitive. For some, attending university is simply not an option due to financial setbacks and a lack of free time. This is why distance learning has become such a popular mode of study in the past few years, and why so many people are choosing an online university rather than studying on-campus
Distance learning may be a completely foreign concept to some, so we have briefly outlined what you can expect from an online university. The most important thing that will be required for distance learning courses is a computer with an internet connection. This is how students receive all their information and how they submit assignments. This needn't even be a computer located at home; some students prefer to use the local library or internet caf. Once an online course has been selected from the desired university, the application process is carried out online.
The actual classes that are involved in distance learning courses will depend on the online university in question. Some universities will transmit a live class, where the professor will be giving a lecture and each student will log on to watch it simultaneously. This mimics the way in which classes are held on-campus, and one benefit is that students are able to ask questions directly throughout the class, and get an immediate response. Other universities will upload a presentation with a live commentary, which students can then watch at their leisure. Queries are then sent via email, and replied to the next time the professor is available.
Many students love the benefit of home study that comes with distance learning. They like the fact that they don't have to spend time travelling to and from lectures, and that an online university gives them the freedom to choose when they study. Even when a university offers a live transmission of a class, it is not essential that the student attends at that time, as they can still access the lecture online at a later date. Most students spend around two or three evenings a week attending their online classes, which is much more convenient than having to give up three mornings or afternoons to attend on-campus classes.
Distance learning courses are extremely popular amongst working professionals as the timetable flexibility allows for study outside of their working hours. Even the very top universities are now going online, giving students the chance to earn a degree from an established school. It is also possible to study at an online university that is purely dedicated to distance learning. If you have wanted to return to study but have not had the opportunity, perhaps it is time to start considering online university and see how easy it is to fit study around the rest of your life.
