Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity(those teaching programmes that involve the use of written materials, videos, televised lessons and the internet), but some people argue that courses can never be as good as those taken by attending a college or university in person.

Nowadays, distance-learning programs have gained in popularity(those teaching programmes that involve the use of written materials, videos, televised lessons and the internet), but some people argue that courses can never be as good as those taken by attending a college or university in person.

With the fast development of modern technology, there are a great number of ways for student to have access to study. Distant-learning programs are quite popular with youngsters currently, which means that completing a degree at home. However, some people hold the view that traditional learning has more valid effects than distant-learning programs.

From my perspective, I agree with the idea that this new form of learning achieves the same outcome as attending courses traditionally, despite some differences. Firstly, the courses and knowledge that displayed in distant-learning programs are similar to that shown in university, student can also gain different types of knowledge as much as they learned in university. For example, an increasing number of colleges advocate some distant-learning programs with e-books on the Internet, students can easily scan these e-books which have the same content as traditional books. Secondly, it is convenient for students from various universities to discuss some professional points about their majors online. Distant-learning programs provide a successful platform for those who are willing to change their thoughts with other students when talking about some academic problems. As a result, students can master more knowledge and broaden their horizons during the period of discussing with other people all over the world.

Just like a coin has two sides, Distant-learning programs also expose some disadvantages. Learning at home illustrates the advantage of convenience, adversely, it may impose some threat to the habit of self-discipline. Some students may lose motivation to study in absence of teacher’s caring in universities. What’s more, traditional learning in university can boost the bond between students and teachers, improving the communication between them, by contrast, distant-learning programs can’t achieve this goal.

In conclusion, distant-learning programs are similar to those in a bricks-and-mortar lecture hall in terms of knowledge acquisition, although some drawbacks may lead to different extents of worries of people.