Distance-learning programs have gained in popularity

Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity (those teaching programs that involve the use of written materials, videos, televised lessons and the internet). Are they as good as those taken by attending a college or university in person? To what extent do you agree or disagree？

A growing number of people are now preferring distance education to attending a lecture personally. Although online courses have many educational values, I do not agree that this new form of education can achieve similar learning outcomes as in a conventional way.

Distance learning may not offer students the opportunities to acquire knowledge beyond textbooks as a result of the lack of interaction. Students are less likely to engage in face-to-face meetings with teachers and classmates, which may make them find it more difficult to draw inspiration from casual conservation with others in terms of learning methods, work experience, and the art of dealing with some real-life problems. Also, due to the lack of academic atmosphere and peer supervision which are not very common in the digital form, learners may also lose the motivation and sense of competition at home.

Another drawback of this trend towards distance learning is that both students and lecturers may encounter some inevitable technical difficulties. For example, during this year’s outbreak I found that even though the lecturers and students have been very familiar with the class process and the software, it was common that some bad issues still happened in various distance courses, such as Internet delays and a sudden drop in the line. All this adds to student’s frustration and reduces their engagement as it is likely that students will deliver their attention to phones when they have difficulty continuing the class.

Despite the negatives mentioned above, I believe that distance education is still a positive development in terms of education. Firstly, online courses allow learners to study flexibly. Students can choose to attend lectures, which are recorded in advance or taken directly by lecturers online. Secondly, it is easier for students to fully understand the content in class in a way that they can click the pause button and replay the video when they have trouble digesting certain information.

In conclusion, distance learning courses are less effective than those taken in a brick-and-mortar lecture hall, although, this digital way may bring a lot of convenience and flexibility to students.