Distance Education and You

The Definition of Distance Education

Distance education is most typically defined as education that takes place independent of location, in contrast to education delivered in the classroom. Most of today's distance education is delivered online. It is best described as "online technologies used to enhance learning" from home! Some call it "learning in your pajamas". Many colleges, universities and institutes are now offering online study, also known as e-learning programs, often to supplement or enhance their on-campus programs.

On this highly competitive job market the one thing that opens doors is documentation of your qualifications!

How Does Distance Education Work?

The student's main tool is the computer and Internet service to retrieve the lessons, assignments, quizzes and tests. Communication tools such as message boards and live chats are often provided to share ideas, debate issues, ask questions, and learn from each other. Student experiences posted to a message board can also become an integral part of the education.

What Attracts People to Distance Education?

Distance education online is mostly sought by those who seek personal and professional advancement in certain fields of study, especially in areas of existing knowledge. It can be a great tool to learn fundamental theories, take a refresher course, and solidify, or expand existing knowledge.

Access to online lessons, research libraries, and links to other websites for further research are provided by the cyber-course instructor. Once a student has submitted an assignment response or taken an online quiz the instructor reviews the work via the computer. Unless there are certain built-in time limits, or restraints, online students works at their own pace, on their own time, from a chosen location that's convenient for them. 

Catch phrases and slogans cast attractive lures: "Single and working mothers – earn your college degree and jump start your new career. Research studies have shown that individuals with degrees earn more and are more likely to receive promotions than those who do not."

Learning from home is especially attractive to students who want to remain near their family and work on their own time to avoid the hassle of the commute, or discrimination, and save money on childcare, and books. Sometimes they can also save on tuition.

Is Distance E-Learning as Good as Traditional Education?

Distance education is very different from education provided by instructors in a traditional brick-and-mortar classroom. Although most of the online courses are engaging, useful, and learnable, partaking in a distance education course requires considerable amounts of self-discipline, computer skills and Internet know-how.

In the August 2005 CLO article “Usability Testing for E-Learning” Shailesh Shilwant and Amy Haggarty who have years of experience in the educational technology field address the fact that even the best online programs cannot achieve their potential impact on e-learners unless certain conditions are met. In their article, they stress the importance of usability testing which can address common shortfalls.

Leah, a Medical Assistant Student Tells Us: Nov 22nd, 2008 - 1:28 PM  Re: Phlebotomy in MA school? "Phlebotomy is one of our classes in the MA program I am currently in and one of several classes we take all year. We are a very "hands on" school as we have been practicing on each other since our 3rd week into school. Once we graduate, we will have the confidence and skill to do it on our own. Not all schools do this, but for me personally, this is one of several reasons why I chose this school. This way, when you are ready to go out there, you have the confidence and skills to do this. Phlebotomy takes practice... the more you do it, the better you get at it, just with almost everything in life."

For the computer and Internet savvy student online programs are great, however when it comes to vocational training which includes learning of clinical and patient care nursing skills students are better off learning these skills in a real classroom setting, hands-on.

Read Dave Smulders, Editor of Learning Resources Unit, British Columbia Institute of Technology: Designing for Learners, Designing for Users (eLearn Magazine).

Medical Assistant Online Student