Education For The 21st Century: Distance Learning

Education For The 21st Century: Distance Learning

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There is an old saying: Time moves on. That is certainly true in the world of education. In the past, higher education was strictly an option for the wealthy and privileged. Beginning in the last century, higher education became a reality for the common person. But the pace of change has not slackened up one bit!

And while the so-called 'experts' argue among themselves about future trends, we know one thing for certain: technology has turned the world of higher education upside-down. It is now the primary delivery channel for millions of students worldwide - in the form of 'Distance Education.' Coupling the power of the home PC with the interconnectivity of the Internet, distance learning is revolutionizing the educational landscape, right before our eyes.

Simply put, distance learning involves participation in classes and academic coursework when one lives and works in a location that is far removed from the school which is offering the course in which you are enrolled. Computer technology makes all of this possible - and the Internet serves as the 'channel' of communication and information exchange.

All of this has particular relevance for the United States, of course, as our population is aging. And the older the student, the more life responsibilities she or he has probably taken on - child rearing, full-time jobs, etc. Distance learning is an option - perhaps the only option - that will work for them. Course assignments and projects can now be scheduled around other life activities. A brave new world, indeed!

Our prediction: as more and more schools get on the distance learning bandwagon (and they will), more and more US adults will have better educational options. And when these students bring their new skill sets to the workplace, then businesses will benefit as a result. Overall, we can predict that the American workforce will become more effective and efficient. So positioned, we will continue to have access to the best-paying jobs and careers available in the world today.

What is a part of the distance learning experience? Well, after your enrollment is approved (and courses paid for) you will sign in(via your home PC) to a 'virtual campus,' where your course instructor, fellow students and you all interact in a kind of chat room experience. You will be given assignments there, e-mails will be used as a means of communication, and course papers will be uploaded for review. You will often be required to complete assignments in collaboration with other students - just like collaborative projects in the real world.

One of the great things about most distance learning programs is their approach to testing (exams). It is very difficult to replicate traditional examinations online. That is because those kinds of tests basically ask the student to repeat memorized information on paper. Since the student is offline, it is impossible to keep them from looking at their books and notes - so many schools offering distance learning programs have taken a different approach: completion of projects and research that force the student to take the information that they should have mastered, and use that in some way to complete the assignment.

What all this means is that distance learning programs place an emphasis on 'doing something useful' with the knowledge that you have gained. You will be required to show mastery of a subject area, not by regurgitating facts but by using what you know. And isn't that exactly what you and I must do every day, in the real workaday world? In fact, by some measures, graduates of distance learning programs are perhaps better prepared to 'hit the ground running' and be productive in their career from day one.

About the Author:
About the author: John Chaplin talks about Distance Education and University of Phoenix. Read about obtaining your college degree at http://www.university-phoenix.com
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