by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
While the types and methods of distance education continue to grow and evolve, potential students
should consider some identifiable factors common to all types before enrolling. While these factors
are not applicable to every distance learning situation, they do apply to most. After reading these
pros and cons of distance education, you should more closely examine the online programs that
most interest you to be sure they fit your life, job, and career needs.
Distance Learning Pros:
Here are some of the benefits of distance education courses.
Convenience -- take online courses when you need them, not based on some college’s
annual or semester schedule. A course is as close as a computer with an Internet connection.
Flexibility -- with no set class times, you decide when to complete your assignments
and readings. You set the pace. In some programs, you can even design your own degree plan.
Availability -- distance-learning opportunities have exploded over the past few years,
with many accredited and reputable programs.
Cost -- prices are often cheaper for online courses than traditional college and trade
courses -- with no housing or meals plans to worry about.
Self-Directed -- you set your own pace and schedule, so you control the learning environment.
Time Spent in Classroom -- now you can take a course on just about any subject without
ever having to be in -- or travel to -- a classroom so you have very little wasted time. Note, however,
that some distance-education programs still do have an in-class component.
Accessibility -- with an online course, you can work on the course just about anywhere
you have computer access.
Better for Some Learners -- distance-education courses are often better for people
who learn through visual cues and experiential exercises and those that require more time,
are language-challenged, or introverted.
No Travel Expenses -- you may never even have to leave your house to take an
online course, and certainly there are no relocation costs.
No Interrupting Job/Career -- because distance learning courses are located in
cyberspace and controlled by your pace, there is no need to quit your current job --
or even take a leave of absence -- to go back to school.
Distance Learning Cons:
Here are some factors that could negatively affect your success with distance learning courses:
No Instructor Face Time -- if your learning style is one where you like personalized
attention from your teachers, then online education will probably not work for you.
Perceptions/Reputation -- while slowly changing as more and more mainstream
colleges and universities embrace distance learning, there still is a stigma attached to distance education.
Requires New Skills/Technologies -- if you’re not computer-savvy or are afraid of
change or new technologies, then online education will probably not work for you.
No Social Interaction -- while you often interact with classmates via email,
chat rooms, or discussion groups, there are no parties or offline get-togethers.
Making Time -- if you are a procrastinator or one of those people who always
needs an extra push to complete work, you may have a hard time making time for
your online classes.
Little Support -- students are expected to find their own resources for
completing assignments and exams, which is empowering for some, but daunting for others.
No Campus Atmosphere -- part of the traditional college experience, of
course, is the beauty of the campus, the college spirit -- but you have none of that
with distance-education courses.
Dr. Randall Hansen is currently Webmaster of Quintessential Careers, as
well as publisher of its electronic newsletter, QuintZine.
He writes a biweekly career advice column under the name,
The Career Doctor. He is also a tenured, associate professor
of marketing in the School of Business Administration at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
He is a published career expert -- and has been for the last ten years. He is co-author, with
Katharine Hansen, of Dynamic Cover Letters. And he has been an employer
and consultant dealing with hiring and firing decisions for the past fifteen years.
He can be reached at randall@quintcareers.com.
Sources from Quintcareers.com
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