Online and Distance Education

    Online education is becoming more and more popular in the 21st century. Today due to  technology it is possible to get an education from your home using your computer.There are even online universities that can help you become a good specialist in your field and get a degree at a distance. Technologies like skype, blogging, moodle  should be applied in distance courses for  offering valuable education ( White, 2004). For me face-to-face learning is the best way of getting education. Nevertheless many people prefer distance education for some reasons. It is suggested  that the quality and the amount of distance education can be the same as compared with face to face learning if it is well prepared and provided. According to Russell (2001) and numerous research reports and studies there is "no significant difference in student outcomes based on the mode of education delivery (face to face or at a distance)." The course work will be the same, just delivered in a different manner. In other words, the emphasis is on what students learn and not on how they learn.

I think it also depends on the personality type and learning style.  Distance learning is certainly not for everybody. Getting a degree by distance learning can be really challenging for some people. If you are not able to work well independently then online learnig  is definitely not for you. Moreover it is not appropriate for those who can’t stick to a schedule and avoid  postponing. Distance learning programs carry personalized, engaging lessons, but it still depends on a student to follow a study schedule, meet their course deadlines and do work autonomously (White, 2003).         
    As for me I wouldn't like to take a distance course in spite of  many advantages, such as flexibility of learning at a location of your choice, convenience of working at your pace and schedule, etc.,as I have never taken any distance course  and it will be  challenging for me to be self motivated. Besides I think  I won't feel comfortable with the interaction via skype. However my perception might change  if I take an online course in the future. 
   So  for some students online learning courses correspond with their learning style and routine, while others think that they need a structured course provided by a classroom.

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