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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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.