What Are the Draw Backs of Distance Learning?
While distance learning can provide some significant benefits for students unwilling or unable to travel to the school of their choice, its drawbacks must be considered. The reality of an electronic learning environment requires additional patience and a flexibility that allows both students and instructors to work through electronic failures or the feelings of isolation involved with distance learning.
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Computer Expertise
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Distance learning can be restrictive for some students. It can be a problem for computer novices due to the time and frustration involved in learning how to get online, says Queensborough Community College. Even though the most complicated distance learning programs help facilitate student acceptance of the software, some level of basic computer expertise is still required for a student to retrieve their log in information and get involved with the program. For students unfamiliar with computers, this requirement can be a severe hindrance.
Communication Time
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Student interaction with their instructor is delayed between the time a student posts a question and the next time the instructor logs on to the system. If the instructor regularly checks the system for new questions, this delay can be decreased but never completely removed. A student is often left waiting for a response to a question for hours if not days.
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ISP Failure
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No Internet connection is perfect and students run the risk of failing to log on at the appropriate times due to problems with their Internet service provider. Similarly, a poor or unstable connection can force the student off line during exams or important assignments.
Self Direction
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Students often see an online learning environment as having the freedom to place other class' responsibilities ahead of the work they should be doing online. Students must be more active and self-directed in this learning environment, says the Queensborough Community College. Additionally, activities in their personal life often take precedence over online work due to the lack of regular face-to-face contact with their instructor.
Isolation
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The distance learning environment restricts students from enjoying the benefits of real-time class discussions while preventing instructors from providing their own face-to-face input into those discussions. Both can feel isolated in this environment.
Requirements
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Class assignments in a distance learning environment must be specifically explained in a more clear way than classroom assignments. According to the Queensborough Community College, "instructional design for group activities and group interaction more demanding on instructors." Without the freedom for students to ask questions or clarify an assignment, instructors must take great care to answer all potential questions in the initial assignment.
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References
- Photo Credit student with wireless internet image by Paul Hill from Fotolia.com
