There are numerous advantages to distance learning for students, including increased access to degrees. If you’re thinking about joining a distance learning course but you’re not sure if it’s right for you, the information in this guide should help you decide.
We’ll explore what distance learning is, how it can help you achieve your goals and what you can expect from a distance learning course.
How does distance education work? Simply put, any type of learning that occurs when students are “at a distance” from the individual, organization, or institution instructing them is referred to as “distance learning.” Let’s investigate further to learn more.
Distance learning: a short history
It might come as a surprise to you to learn that distance education has been around for some time. Sir Isaac Pitman, a British educator, developed the first online course in the 1840s. He taught a system of shorthand to students all over England by exchanging transcriptions with them in the post.
The University of London claims to be the first university to have offered distance learning degrees. It pledged in 1858 to give exams to students who took correspondence courses. In 1894, the UK’s first distance-learning college – Wolsey Hall in Oxford – opened.
The inception of the Open University in 1969 represented a significant milestone in the evolution of distance learning in the 20th century. The Open University offered degree-level qualifications to learners via correspondence courses.
As technological advances ramped up in the 21st century, a significant amount of distance learning moved online. Teachers and learners were able to use digital communication tools like Zoom to interact virtually. Meanwhile, the creation of online learning platforms like FutureLearn supported course delivery and participation.
Today, online learning is considered to be part of ‘the new normal’ in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to our 2022 “Future of Learning” report, 33% of survey respondents would prefer to learn new skills through online platforms. In the meantime, 81% of people who switched careers since the pandemic claimed that taking an online course helped them. What distinguishes distance learning from online learning? While the majority of conversations about ‘distance learning’ today tend to relate to learning supported by technology, there is a subtle but important difference between the concepts of distance learning and online learning.
Distance learning can be delivered and performed through a variety of physical and digital channels, including mailed correspondence, email, instant messaging and video streaming. On the other hand, “online learning” only refers to learning that takes place online. In the end, distance learning includes online learning.
Are distance learning courses recognised?
Even though online learning is becoming more common, you might be curious about whether a degree earned through distance learning will be recognized in the same way as a degree earned through a traditional classroom setting. Our research indicates that since the COVID-19 pandemic, 75% of employers are more likely to hire applicants with online education. Meanwhile, 44% of managers perceive online education as ‘very’ to ‘extremely’ valuable during the interview process.
Many courses delivered through online learning platforms are taught and administered by leading institutions. Other distance learning courses offer partial accreditation that can count towards a qualification from a specific college or university.
How does distance learning work?
The way in which distance learning works depends largely on the course and provider. Today, many distance learning courses are conducted mostly – or entirely – online. This means that learning is likely to involve one or more of the following activities:
Pre-recorded video viewing Attending live online lectures
Participating in live online discussions with tutors and/or fellow learners
Having one-to-one discussions online with your tutor
Exchanging emails and instant messages with your tutor and/or fellow learners
completing and submitting online digital tests or assessments Completing written assignments and submitting them online
Distance learning courses with a correspondence element will include one or more of the following:
reviewing the postage-paid course material Completing written tests or assessments and submitting them to your tutor in the post
Writing essays or other assignments and submitting them to your tutor in the post
All of these things may be involved in some distance learning courses. What are the benefits of distance learning?
Distance learning offers learners a vast range of benefits. Here are just a few:
Flexibility
Many distance learning courses allow you to learn at your own pace; you can access the material when it’s convenient for you to do so and learn whenever your schedule allows. While some courses have defined term times and course delivery dates, you have the flexibility to participate from any location where you have an internet connection.
Possibilities for learning There is a wide range of distance learning courses to choose from, ranging in length, content, and learning level. You can even take an undergraduate degree or master’s degree course through a distance learning provider like FutureLearn. Since attending a traditional university isn’t for everyone, distance learning makes degree-level education accessible to a wider audience. With distance learning, you can choose your course and provider without being restricted by location. It can also be easier to fit learning into a busy work or life schedule when there is no need to travel. Affordability
Distance learning doesn’t require you to pay for travel or move to another location. This can make a particularly big difference if you’re considering the total financial cost of an undergraduate degree, which lasts three or four years.
The chance to upskill
If you’re interested in upskilling to improve your career prospects, distance learning is an efficient and effective way of doing so. There are many distance learning courses that require a minimal time investment, allowing you to fit upskilling activities around a full-time job or other commitments.
The opportunity to build transferable skills
Distance learning supports the development of an array of valuable transferable skills. These include being able to work on your own, using technology effectively, and navigating the difficulties and opportunities of working from home. These skills are not only valuable to current and future employers; they’re likely to stand you in good stead if you ever become self-employed.
Is distance learning effective?
Since the pandemic, the concept of learning and working remotely has largely been normalised. But with in-person learning now back in action, you might be wondering whether distance learning can truly be an effective alternative.
This is by no means a new question. In 1999, psychologist Thomas L. Russell conducted an analysis of over 300 reports and studies to compare the outcomes of distance learning against those of classroom-based learning. The achievement, attitude, and contentment of students were among these outcomes. The key finding was that there was no statistically significant difference between the educational outcomes of the two learning methods. Russell dubbed this the ‘No Significant Difference Phenomenon’. Many subsequent studies have reached a similar conclusion.
While every distance learning course – and every distance learner – is unique, this body of research indicates that distance learning can indeed be effective.
How to get started with online education The abundance of options available to students is one of the many advantages of distance education. From course content and qualifications to methods of learning and course providers, there’s a lot to think about. Here’s our advice if you’re unsure how to get started.
Choosing your distance learning course
While the prospect of digging into all the options might feel a little intimidating, it’s important to do some research before investing your time and – in some cases – money into distance learning. Here are some questions to consider:
What do you want to learn about and why?
Are you seeking to gain a particular qualification or credit towards one?
How much time do you have available for learning?
How much money are you prepared to invest in a distance learning course?
What is your preferred learning style?
How much interaction would you like with your tutor?
How much interaction would you like with fellow learners?
What is your financial budget for distance learning?
Once you’ve spent some time reflecting on these questions, it should be a little easier to narrow down your options. Take the time to read through course descriptions and any reviews from former learners carefully. Make sure you’re clear about the following details:
The institution or company providing the course
The qualification or credit you’ll achieve upon successful completion
the professional organization that is certifying the course, if relevant. This is particularly important if your course leads to a particular profession, like accounting or engineering. Many of the online psychology degrees available through FutureLearn are accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS), for example.
It’s also critical to know how the course will be taught and what you can expect as a student. Taking the time to establish all this information upfront will help to lay the foundation for a successful distance learning experience.