College & University Distance Learning
Each year millions of people choose to go back to school or start attending college for the first time. In the past there was only one option for post-secondary education, but today, distance learning is becoming increasingly popular.
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History
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Prior to the 1990s the term distance learning did not exist. Near the end of the decade, traditional brick-and-mortar college campuses began offering a limited number of courses that could be taken online. Today, many students are choosing online universities that offer strictly distance-learning courses, though most traditional schools still offer some online classes.
Function
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Distance-learning universities allow those wishing to further their education the opportunity to do so without sitting in a classroom or listening to lectures. Instead, students take courses, interact in discussions and listen to lectures online. Though the format for learning differs from one institution to another, the basics remain the same regardless of the school or the degree program.
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Geography
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One of the things people enjoy about distance learning is that they don't have to travel out of state to attend school or even leave home. Distance-learning universities accept students from all states. Since the student conducts all her work online, she never has to worry about missing class because of traffic or because of work. Most coursework can be completed anytime of the day or night.
Benefits
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The benefits of distance learning far outweigh the negatives. Distance learning allows those who work full time to attend college without having to rearrange their schedules or miss work. Distance learning also allows those with families time they would not have together if they attended a traditional university.
Warning
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Distance learning is not for everyone and takes a lot of dedication and hard work to succeed. Students must be able to manage their time wisely, be prepared to take on additional reading assignments if they do not understand a topic or seek out the advice of their facilitators. With distance learning, there is more self-teaching than in traditional classrooms.
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