subject: From the Classroom to the Living Room: Distance Learning [print this page] Some universities are more prestigious than others. Some have the lowest cost of attendance. Still others just have that program that feels "right." All of these qualities might be what set an individual university apart from all others for a student. Unfortunately, these same universities may require a student to live on campus, or be in a location where the student won't or can't move to, or any number of other problems that can make that same university an impossible or unpalatable option.
However, many of these universities now offer distance learning, and that can allow the student to circumvent some of the problems with physically attending. Distance learning programs are internet-based versions of degree studies offered by a university. They are not the same as online degrees, because technically distance learning is still getting the paper degree. Its just that the classroom is a chatroom instead of a lecture hall. Distance learning allows a student to avoid problems like moving to a new city, living in the dorms, leaving home, and going to classes. Work still has regimented due dates, but as long as it gets in on time, and the student keeps up with the studying and participates on the message boards, a student doesn't have to worry about getting up for, say, an eight o'clock class.
Most universities now offer distance learning for some or all of their programs, and the online courses are taught by the same teachers who handle the courses on-campus. The classes are graded and weighted the same way, and cover the same material. Some of the finest institutions in the United States now offer distance programs, and their admission requirements are the same for distance courses as for traditional, though they may be somewhat cheaper. If a student has a dream about getting a degree from a particular university, but cannot attend it, they should look into distance learning, because there may yet be hope.
From the Classroom to the Living Room: Distance Learning
