Distance learning has become a go-to method of education, opening up countless new opportunities and access to education that many didn’t think possible before the forced shift brought on by the changes COVID-19 thrust onto the world.
“Multiple studies suggest that most students are already confident that technology-enabled learning works, but this has probably been a difficult transition for some faculty members. I am hoping that universities and faculty members will embrace the challenge and adapt,” K. Holly Shiflett, Director of North American partnerships, FutureLearn, said in a recent interview.
The shift to online distance learning has been a transformative moment for many educators and students.
Unfortunately, it can be challenging for many educators to find the time to create effective online courses, and the continuous developments in the technology that supports it can make it difficult to keep up.
That’s why we’re here to help! This guide will help universities and faculty members understand and embrace the challenge of distance learning.
What is distance learning?
In the past, high schools and universities offered correspondence courses as a distance learning method. Course materials were often sent to a student by mail and assignments were completed online or returned to the teacher by mail.
More recently, distance learning programs are using the incredible opportunities afforded by modern technology and offer very intimate and effective learning opportunities in all manner of distance education courses. Effective distance learning is now a viable option from kindergarten to elementary school to university.
What’s the simplest way to explain distance learning?
In the simplest form, distance teaching and learning is like going to school no matter where you are in the world.
Students can watch lessons on their computers, join live video calls, and hand in all assignments through an online learning management system, which supports virtual learning tools.
Teachers can create on-demand learning opportunities or teach lectures live as they would in a traditional classroom.
Synchronous vs asynchronous distance learning
There are, of course, some significant differences between distance learning and traditional learning; the most obvious being the absence of a requirement for physical attendance in a specific location.
When participating in distance learning, students experience significantly more freedom in their approach to learning. This can be a positive aspect in that students can choose courses based on their own schedules, the teaching style offered, and the modalities used.
Non-traditional learn ers can create a learning environment that works well for them rather than having to fit themselves into the traditional educational mold.
On the flip side of that freedom lies the requirement for students to be highly disciplined with their studies. The repercussions may be less severe for distance education at a university, but for elementary education and, more specifically, for kindergarten, it is necessary to have some adult supervision in order to maximize success. So, what are the differences between distance learning and regular learning?
Distance learning falls into two main categories:
Synchronous learning
Asynchronous learning
You should understand the difference between synchronous vs asynchronous. Different types of distance learning fall into one or both of these camps.
Synchronous learning
Synchronous means “at the same time.” It refers to a method of education delivery that happens in real-time. It requires live communication online. It uses technology, such as teleconferencing, to achieve this.
Synchronous learning proves less flexible than other forms of distance learning. After all, students must meet with their instructor and sometimes their classmates at pre-scheduled times.
This approach limits the student’s ability to learn at their own pace. It may frustrate some learners who crave the freedom of the asynchronous classroom.
Asynchronous learning
As for asynchronous distance education? Students receive clusters of weekly deadlines. They have the freedom to work at their own speed.
Asynchronous distance learning comes with more opportunities for student interaction.
Students can access course content beyond the scheduled meeting or class time and interact through online conversations, quizzes, or video comments on their own schedule.
Both faculty and students benefit from the flexibility of asynchronous learning as it allows them to create and consume content when it’s convenient for them.
Benefits of asynchronous learning
Today, both students and teachers are aware that irregular hours and disjointed schedules are caused by external factors. They are able to create and consume content whenever it is most convenient for them thanks to the adaptability of asynchronous learning, and learning materials can be accessed at any time and from any location. Reach and engagement
With hectic and unpredictable schedules, faculty can extend course content beyond the scheduled meeting and class time through pre-recorded videos and other content.
Faculty can leverage live recordings or create videos, and then get analytics, generate captions, have conversations, add quizzes, and integrate content right into a Learning Management Software (LMS).