Distance Learning: Adapting to the changing times

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Alternative ways of learning have been introduced as early as the eighteenth century and due to rising popularity, they have now become a big opportunity to the conventional education system.

Classes that started with private correspondence courses in 1728 have certainly come a long way. The third generation of Distance Learning that is commonly referred to as Online Learning has helped the education system undergo a complete reform.

Here are a few interesting facts about Distance Learning in its initial stages:

• The University Of London was the first school to offer its degrees worldwide in 1858, with Mauritius becoming the first overseas country to host its examinations.
• Between 1918 and 1946, the Federal Communications Commission grants licenses to some 200 colleges to deliver education via radios.
• After 1950 courses were also broadcasted over TV.

To get a better understanding of how far we’ve come from learning via radios and TVs, let’s focus on how distance learning is enhancing the learning experience.

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Online Distance Learning

Technological breakthroughs transformed education across the world. In 1970, learners came to know about virtual campuses and satellite education for the first time.

And then the World Wide Web was created, changing things entirely:

• Universities started offering online distance learningthat allowed students to learn from home.
• Personal and professional commitments that stood as a big hurdle in the way of attaining higher education vanished completely.
• Students from all over the world had access to up to date resources and expert academic tutors through an interactive virtual learning environment. Some of these exciting digital resources include webinars, online discussions, and workshops.
• Online classes can now be accessed through a wide range of devices, including PCs, tablets and e-readers, enabling students to study on the move.
• Learners have the opportunity to share knowledge and network with peers across the world

“I realized that I can develop strong relationships with my fellow students without seeing them”, says Donna Britt, who received her Ed.D in Management of Programs in Child and Youth Services from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Her online course opened up a whole new world of learning for her.

Kathy Rogers, earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, thinks video lectures boost learning energy:

“while watching the videos, I felt like I was a live participant in the class…because the readings and assignments fit together perfectly on the video”.

“I’m in my home all day and work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and studying online is so convenient. If I tried to get to a class on campus, by the time I drove and found a place to park, I would always be late”, states Gwen Ridley Robertson, a family child care provider. 

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Online distance learning made lifelong learning possible, preparing individuals for better future opportunities.

“I live in Lagos, Nigeria. I work full-time, continuing the business established by my late father”, says IkpongUmoh studying his online MBA with a prestigious UK University. He intends to learn as much as possible about business management so that he is able to take advantage of every opportunity that arises. “In this course I am not just studying for a qualification, but for knowledge and modern management techniques that I can apply to turn around our company”, explains the promising businessman.

Thus, online distance learning is a major milestone in the evolution of distance learning. It has brought significant benefits to students and employers around the world and it will be interesting to find out what’s next.

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Nigeria can learn a Lot from Educationally and Technologically Advanced Economies

More and more number of countries has started to believe that technology is the foundation of global development plan.

Nigeria, the Sub-Saharan African nation, has realised the significance of global technology development. Of late, technology has evolved as the main driver of economic development in Nigeria, as the country has shown a fondness for technology in most of its recent policies.

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The Nigerian government released a policy statement, which aims to make Nigeria a Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) friendly economy and place the country among the world’s 20 leading economies by the year 2020, through the vision 20:2020 initiative.

Though these are truly praiseworthy initiatives, but what they lack is a drive for technology and investment. Nigeria has until now failed to understand that meaningful development is not possible without investment in technology, and this is where they are getting it wrong. Unless the technology savvy youths are not encouraged to hone their technological skills, it is hard for them to become favourite destination for BPO. They need to understand that it is the technological skills driving the BPO around the world.

Nigeria should invest in technology education

In addition, Nigeria can achieve vision 20:2020 only if they make investment in technology education of the youths, who are considered as the leaders of tomorrow. In Nigeria, unemployment among youths is on the rise because of the lack of the technology and entrepreneurial skills among the university graduates. It makes their case unfit for employment in corporations.

In order to reduce the rate of youth unemployment, Nigeria should begin investing in the technology education and get marked as the technologically advanced country.

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The technology investment in the realm of youth and technology education is still at its lowest point, whereas unemployment rate among the youths is still on the rise. Mr. Leo Stan-Ekeh, Chairman, Zinox Group of Technology Companies, says, "It is impossible to create enough jobs in this century without first developing multiple technology platforms that will instigate smart wealth with style, which is what the new generation of Nigerians want, just like their mates all over the world,” He adds, “Today's youth want quality technology-driven education that will offer them global opportunities to create huge wealth in no distance time with less headaches. These kids have digitally auditable brains to create wealth and style to enjoy it and therefore are impatient with any analogue system that offers nothing than huge burden with no hope for future wealth."__(Source: bit.ly/1jtHrkp)

Hughes awarded a task order to facilitate distance learning in US

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On the other hand, US General Services Administration has awarded a task order for the government education and training network (GETN) to Hughes Network Systems, LLC. It will offer commercial satellite communications solutions to facilitate the distance learning capabilities of the GETN. GETN comprises of eight federal agencies, which include US Department of Defence, executive branch agencies and federal judiciary agencies which allocate satellite technology, facilities and e learning programmes. The term of the task order is of four and one half years that also include the base and option years.

The Hughes is headquartered exterior to Washington, D.C., in Germantown, Maryland, USA, and run sales and support offices around the world.

The lesson that Nigeria can take

Nigeria needs to look up to the education system in developed countries, which have made significant improvement in their education sector through technology investments done. If the Nigerian federal agencies learn this foremost lesson, Nigeria can achieve what it has dreamt of, in coming years.

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A Solution to Strengthen Nigeria’s Education Standards is E-Learning

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Do you think that quality education is possible only with an instructor, a classroom and a few books? What about technology and new learning tools? What about the concept of social networking? Well, the majority of academic institutions in Nigeria were deprived of all these resources that made the country go through criticisms for decades. However, the rapid developments in the telecommunication industry helped the nation regain confidence in re-educating their students, and today, Nigeria has gathered over 4 million internet users.

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E-learning – an integral part of Nigerian education

Today, electronic learning has become an integral part of the Nigerian classrooms. Using diverse tools related to electronic media in education is indeed one of the brilliant innovations that has brought Nigeria students and working professionals a new ray of hope to complete higher studies with absolute flexibility. So, e-learning has brought a lot of alternatives for numerous academic institutions in Nigeria. For instance:

• ·        Learning processes enhanced by technology
• ·        Training through computers
• ·        Web-based training programmes for employees
• ·        Social networking
• ·        Collaboration of people worldwide

Owing to the initiation of online learning, the majority of new age learners today are finding the brick and mortar classrooms no more interesting and creative. As per Mr. Titi Omo-Ettu, the chairman of one of the technical sessions and former President, Association ofTelecoms Companies of Nigeria, it’s very important to have broadband internet access that would actually justify e-learning. He said it clearly that e-learning is futile without broadband access.

E-learning is an amazing innovation, agrees experts

Professor and former vice chancellor of University of Lagos, Prof. Oye Ibidapo-Obe said that e-learning has been such an amazing innovation that it has made the learning ambiance easier and flexible. In fact, this has been such an incredible learning mode that allows educational content to get delivered without depending on time and place.

According to another stakeholder, Mr. DayoOgunniyi, who also works as the Executive Chairman of Spectrum Books Limited, opined that e-learning has the potential to bring Nigeria out of all those issues popping out of their degraded educational system. Mr. Chris Uwaje, the President in the Institute of Software Practitioners of Nigeria, has said it correctly, “E-Learning is very important but there is no standard. There should be standards to create lessons because IT can enhance knowledge.”  

A qualified teacher is essential for e-learners

However, what’s important for easy accessibility of online learning is having an efficient instructor who would play a key role in making students understand and thereafter access their lessons with ease and enthusiasm. “There cannot be e-Learning without e-Teachers”, said Dr. Steve Nwokeocha, Director, Professional Operations, Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria. Unless students get a good and qualified instructor, they would never feel the urge to complete their lessons in time.

Besides, e-learning has given a lot of organisations a new and cost-effective technique to train employees. Employee training execution processes are usually expensive and this is where e-learning comes as a high scoring option for the employers. In fact, online education has experienced a boost in the last few years owing to the implementation of several e-learning tools.

A day is sure to come when e-learning would stand compulsory for not only employees in receiving quality training but the remote would find it an easier alternative to meet their career goals from any corner of the world they wish.  

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Latest Tools that Heighten the Effects of Learning

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Learning and teaching can be made much more enjoyable with the employment of the latest technologies in the process. And, in an age when in-person classrooms are mostly replaced by virtual learning environment, use of technological marvels has become somewhat essential to have the latest educational trends perfectly matched up with the modern ways of lifestyle.

This is the reason why more educational institutions are transforming their curriculum solely based on online learning opportunities. Because of the wide usage of smartphones, tablets, netbooks and similar mobile devices among young people, they prefer a learning process via digital technology, rather than sitting in front of their instructor and following a boring session of lecture.

There are many learning devices available these days, making education a new-generation affair. Let’s have a look at them.

Various Learning Management Systems

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With different variety of learning management systems like Blackboard, Haiku etc educators can design their assignments in more organised ways, and get to instant access to the learners profile. At the same time, students get the quickest and easiest way to share learning information, interact with their teachers as well as peers, and collaborate on their projects.

Features like peer instant messaging, Google Apps integration, Android and iOS compatibility, web conferencing, voice authoring etc are some of the most incredible in today’s student-centred Learning Management Systems.

Video Conferencing

According to modern educators, learning tools that combine both audio and video are the ‘ultimate means to encourage interaction and collaboration’. Using webcams, remote teaching sessions can be conducted, and far distant guest lecturers can be brought to address a classroom remotely. Through this technique many learning activities like virtual field trips, math panel contests can be conducted with ease, which otherwise are very time and effort-consuming processes.

Discussion Forums

A great learning tool that often comes with a learning management system, discussion forum is very effective way for students to have live interactions with their peers as well as teachers. Educators view this learning tool as a user-friendly as well as quick way to set up a public or private classroom discussion session. Various discussion on topical interest and activities on homework assignments can be taken shape with this magnificent tool.

Social Media Platforms

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Inclusion of different social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter etc into learning as well as teaching activities are already in vogue, and they show great potential to combine teachers and learners in a seamless progress of education. Through these platforms students can conduct a discussion process among their peers, as well as with their instructors.

Student Blogs

Blogs are perceived nowadays as an effective way of sharing one’s thoughts, feelings and expertise on a specific topic in a fast and easy-to-access way. This feature of blog gives it a great potentiality to address a collaborative classroom. Through individual as well as collaborative blogs such as Edublogs, Kidblogs etc, teachers, students as well as parents can constantly share news on learning developments and related activities.

These learning tools have been already taken as the effective learning components of modern education systems. Employed effectively, these tools can elevate education to a greater level.

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Online Learning – A Trend that Journeyed with New Innovations for Career Builders

Since classroom learning dominated for generations, the majority of students, educators and even employers had a belief that there cannot be any other reliable mode of obtaining education. But later when the World Wide Web started easing lives of people, the concept of online education popularised. Despite, a lot of critics had their brows raised in regard to the implementation of such courses into schools, colleges and universities. However, the factors that led people to take up online learning strategies were temperament and self-realisation.

From postal orders to BYOD

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Earlier, distance learning courses were conducted through postal orders and students used to receive their study materials on their personal addresses. Later, the major factor that made online education globally popular was the rapid growth in technology. With the launch of a wide range of digital learning tools, students realised the worth of choosing such a learning mode that can let them study at their own convenience and save a good deal of money.

Although the idea of using digital learning tools and apps for studies came later, there were those dial-up connections that used to be the initial source of connecting students to the virtual platforms. Even the blackboards today have been replaced with new electronic whiteboards that make online learners take more interest in their studies. In fact, the concept of BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) learning is slowly grabbing attention of school and university administrators, and experts have even predicted that there will be a time when students would be entering classrooms with their own kindles and tablets instead of books.

As per recent reports:

In the United States, over 2 million undergraduates and 650,000 graduates were reported to be studying at distance

The majority of these students were found to be either over 20s or were balancing their professional and personal duties

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The fact that online education is growing in popularity with the passage of time has been proved with the worldwide acceptance of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). Moreover, reports said that 6 universities were added to edX, one of the world’s renowned online learning platforms. As per the researchers, MOOCs have already created hype on a global basis and now they are aiming to enable students and working professionals obtain quality education.

As per the Online College Students 2012: Comprehensive Data on Demands and Preferences:

Around 14% of the students were found to enrol in full-time online courses for completing higher studies

31% of the students were found to enrol in at least one online course

Even countries in Africa are now making smarter moves in implementing online courses for remote students. Nigeria was recently declared to be the only African nation with the highest population of internet users and the Iranian government has also taken the initiative to get scholarship programme for the Nigerian students.

So, online education can be called a future resolution for new age learners who would be rather exposed to new opportunities and high career prospects. What we need to find out now are the new innovations and implementations that would give virtual learners a new set of expectations to meet their career goals with ease.

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Digital Education is Gaining Relevance even in African Nations

 

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In this digital era, it’s quite surprising to find many students still asking about the effectiveness of studying online. Where not less than 90% of the jobs today are demanding candidates with digital literacy, students and career professionals are getting more concerned towards taking up courses online.

Spending 5 to 6 hours for attending lectures in a brick and mortar classroom is turning out to be an ineffective option for new age learners. Probably, this is why a lot of online learning providers are now giving career aspirants the opportunity to complete higher studies with ease and convenience. Moreover, the Babson Survey Research Group has given a crystal clear report of the demand of online courses over the past years:

• More than 6.7 million students enrolled in various post secondary online courses in the year 2011

•  9 years ago in the year in 2002, only 1.6 million students enrolled online for completing higher studies

• In 9 years, about 5 million students were added, and this clearly indicated the growth of online learning

• In the year 2002, there were around 72% of online schools, and surprisingly, it went up to 87% in the year 2012.

African nations marching towards online education

Certain countries under the African continent have switched to the concept of studying online. For instance, Nigeria has shown massive developments in their education standards over the years. A country where the education standards were not up to the mark till a decade ago now takes pride in offering online courses and hence gives students the opportunity to enrol in accredited online colleges under UK university.

What it means is that the Nigerian students who had always craved for studying under world class universities will not have to travel overseas anymore and enrol in a full-time course under a university. Instead, being in Nigeria, they can enrol in any of the online colleges under an accredited UK university from any corner of the world in any course they wish.  

What other benefits can the Nigerian students enjoy by studying under UK universities?

Although there are numerous reasons behind the support provided by UK universities for students in Nigeria, getting better job opportunities is certainly one of the biggest advantages. In fact, plenty of undergraduate and postgraduate courses are now offered online to let students remain exposed to high job prospects. 

Well, here are a few more ways through which Nigerian students can enhance their career opportunities by enrolling in UK universities:

• Courses offered by the UK universities are absolutely flexible that makes it easier for students to work and study with ease. One can complete a course online taking his/her own pace.

• Students can choose their online courses as per their lifestyle and convenience. This is why they are able to sustain a balance between their personal and professional lives.

• UK university qualifications carry immense value and therefore help career enthusiasts maximise job prospects.

• Apart from students and working professionals, people of different ages coming from diverse cultural backgrounds can enrol in an online course under an accredited UK university.

So, you see how Nigeria has made it possible to bring students a new ray of hope and expectations in completing higher studies affordably and conveniently. In fact, online courses are now proving to be so lucrative that students are considering them to be the ideal source of strengthening career prospects. The enrolment percentage in accredited online colleges is going high and experts are therefore feeling confident to treat it as a future resolution for students as well as working professionals. Let’s see what more rewards it brings in the long-run.