What is Distance learning?

Distance learning, also called distance education or long distance learning, basically means that you study in a different place to the tutor or institution that is running the course. You are separated from the tutors, professors and other students on the course by being a distance away, hence the name. It means that you can learn from the comfort of your own home, or anywhere you like really, without having to go to a certain place at certain times.

This means that you can choose to study a certain course from a particular school even if you live in another country or indeed half-way around the world from that school. This is one of the great benefits of distance learning in that it gives people the choices to be able to learn what they want no matter where or how they live.

Distance learning courses can work by a number of different ways and can use a variety of media to provide students with the course materials and information that they need such as:

• Written material and information sent through the postal service.

• Online courses and training.

• Audio tapes

• Radio or TV broadcasts

• Through telephone lines

• Via satellite

Is distance learning right for me?

To decide if distance learning is right for you first you need to consider what is it that you want to achieve and why. Do you want to gain a new skill or qualification to get a promotion or a better job? Do you want to earn a degree? Do you need more basic education, more A-levels, GCSE's etc? Is it for work or personal life that you want to learn more? Do you want to start your own business? Is it purely for enjoyment, a thirst for knowledge or personal experience? Once you know what you want and why then you can start to decide if distance learning is the best way to achieve it.

Next you need to think about how you prefer to learn new things and what sort of learner you are. Different people learn better in different ways. For example some people work best when they receive the information from a direct face-to face source, i.e. through lectures, classrooms, class-mates, groups of students working on projects together. Others work better on their own when they can access the information at their own pace, i.e. with written assignments and course work, online, cds, audio tapes, etc. Once you have worked out your own style and preferred method of learning then you can look deeper and decide if distance learning would work for you by asking yourself some questions and following some simple guidelines.

Distance learning would be right for you if:

You are able, or prefer, to work on your own and at your own pace.
Being able to work independently is one of the main qualities needed for a distance learner. You have to be independent and self-reliant to focus on the work and not have to rely on others to help you out.

You are disciplined and self-motivated.
As a distance learner you need to be disciplined to set yourselves a work schedule, to keep yourself going. You need to be self-motivated to complete the work on time and to continue working hard throughout the course, without much support from anyone else.

You can't easily get to a traditional school.
Not everyone lives close to a traditional school or university and many people have problems with getting around, whether it be lack of transport, lack of mobility or lack of money. One of the best things about distance learning is that you don't have to travel anywhere, the information comes to you. This makes it an ideal choice if you live in a remote area, have limited mobility, or just don't like having to travel anywhere.

You don't have the time to go to a normal school.
In today's busy world many people simply do not have the time to attend full-time further education. Lots of people have to work full-time or raise a family and look after children so couldn't possibly fit in a traditional university education as well. This is where the biggest advantage of distance learning comes in, it's flexibility. As you can learn at your own pace you can fit the studying in whenever you have the time. You are not tied down to studying 9-5 at a school or university but can do it at whatever times you choose. This is essential for those with busy lives and work or family commitments. Being able to study at any time of the day or night means that you now have much more freedom and flexibility over your learning and are able to commit yourself to it without it ruining or interrupting your normal day-to-day life.

Distance learning would not be right for you if:

You are a procrastinator.
If you are a procrastinator, someone who is always putting things off till later, then you might find it hard to motivate yourself to study and get the work done in good time. Working on your own requires self-discipline and if you are easily distracted and put off then you may find yourself struggling to concentrate enough to finish the work.

You need other people around you to work well.
If you find it hard to work on your own and need the support and contact of other students around you then distance learning is probably not for you. Also if you are a very social person who likes the social aspect of learning and all of the aspects that brings then you may feel isolated and lonely when doing your distance learning course. Obviously if you learn better from physical face-to-face contact then learning from an impersonal source may not be the right choice for you.