Education

Top 10 Best Distance Learning Universities And Online Courses

Published

1 week ago

September 14, 2023

Distance Learning Overview

What Is Distance Learning?

Distance Learning also known as Distance Education is a type of learning system that makes use of educational practices that leverage technology to offer education through the internet in place of the traditional classroom setting.

According to Merriam Webster, distance learning is a mode of study where tutors and learners do not meet in a classroom but use the Internet, e-mail, mail, etc., to have classes.

Distance learning or Online Learning is another way to earning a degree course offered by a university. Students study at home or work and all teaching, materials, and support are delivered online rather than attending lectures and seminars on campus.

Distance Learning is of great advantage to people whose situations like a full-time job, or other responsibilities, such as caring for dependents, prevent them from studying on campus, at a fixed pace, for several years.

Types Of Distance Learning

1. Synchronous Distance Learning

This type of distance learning is the real-time delivery of lectures whereby students have live communications with their teachers. It allows for face-to-face contact with teachers and course mates.

Synchronous is not as flexible as some students may desire since you have to be present with your teachers and course mates at the scheduled time.

2. Asynchronous Distance Learning

Students advance through the curriculum at their own pace in this type of distance learning. Learners will be given weekly deadlines, allowing them to work at their desired speed and schedule.

Although, students may interact through video comments, quizzes, and conversations, there’s no scheduled time for accessing the course content.

Modes Of Distance Learning

1. Video conferencing

Typically, this is the interactions between multiple participants via the internet. Like in synchronous communication, both students and teachers have to use equipment like Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, or Adobe Connect. Students can however continue their interactions anywhere at anytime.

A major advantage of this mode of learning is that it promotes student-teacher interactions and also helps in providing the lesson in a proper order.

2. Hybrid distance education

Hybrid distance learning is the combination of asynchronous and synchronous methods. Students are required to stick to deadlines to do their assignments and appear for tests. However, an advantage of this mode of learning is that students can study at a convenient pace.

Hybrid mode involves online forums to submit assignments and students need to maintain contact with their tutors.

3. Online open-schedule courses

This mode belong to the asynchronous category where students get freedom while undergoing the course. Learners will receive Bulletin boards, Online books and Emails during the educational programme.

The open-schedule instructions require students to follow the deadlines while undergoing the academic course. Notwithstanding, students can maintain a comfortable pace to study their desired courses.

4. Fixed-time virtual course

This mode is the most commonly selected format for distance education. In a fixed-time virtual course, students access the learning website at their desired times. However, learners are to complete pre-scheduled tasks to achieve success and obtain the certificate.

Advantages Of Distance Learning

1. Flexibility

Distance Learning is the choice of most highly motivated and self-disciplined learners. It’s flexible for learning from any place at any time and as well organized and maintain performance in the virtual setting.

2. Adaptability

Distance education programmes are sometimes customized by teachers to serve their academic needs allowing students to learn the course in any way.

3. No need to travel

Unlike the traditional classroom setting, distance learning does not require commuting to campus. Notwithstanding, distance learners can take virtual trips, which is fun, to museums, geographical locations, planetariums, and other places.

4. Accessibility

Some circumstances like disability or geographic constraints, prevent students from attending physical classrooms and distance learning education can help make learning accessible to those kind of people, since distance learning is accessible to students from almost any place.

5. Save time and money

This form of education saves you precious time and money as you do not need to be worried about the travel time or expenses to attend the classes. In most cases, course materials and tuition are lower, since there are few operating expenses.

6. Earning while learning

Another advantage of distance learning education is that working professionals of all ages can use this method to earn a higher degree of education, or an entirely new degree and simultaneously maintain their jobs.

Top 10 Best Distance Learning Universities And Online Courses

1. Columbia University

Funded in 1754 as King’s College by royal charter of King George II of England, Columbia University is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York and the 5th oldest in America.

It is not just a distinctive and distinguished learning environment for undergraduates and graduate students, but also one of the world’s most important centers of research.