Distance Education

Five advantages of using distance learning is definitely more student centered focusing on the individual and their specific needs. Instead of a student having to wait or feel hindered by others in the classroom they can move ahead at their own pace, or if they feel like they are the ones hindering others they can feel more comfortable.
1. Individual instructions
2. Students can move at their own pace/time
3. Works well for those who are independent learners
4. Less likely to be distracted by other students
5. Visual learners through online interactions and slides

Five disadvantages also follow the same guidelines of advantages being student based. Some students might find the freedom too much and not learn or focus quite as well as they would in class. A teacher driving them, or being there for them for individual instruction is helpful. Students also do not gain peer interaction, not only in class projects or discussion, but in after school clubs and athletics. Working with your peers is a valuable skill that cannot truly be taught but is learned through experience.
1. Students can fall behind easily
2. Students lack peer interaction
3. Students do not get one on one instruction
4. Students do not get to participate in clubs, athletics, or social events
5. Students do not feel part of something, but rather just an education

The readiness of a student is hard to determine. I have taken distance classes through the community college and I did not perform well at all in them, but consider myself a very good student. Students who take distance learning must understand they must stay on top of their assignments and not let them pile up, they must be individually motivated. A student who suffers in a classroom is most likely not going to succeed in distance learning. I also feel that as good as it might sound to learn sitting in your home in your PJs you lack a lot of the social interaction that I feel is important for not only education but for student’s futures in the job world. Peer interaction is important and cannot be replaced through online chat or message boards but must be done through actual physical interactions.

I would need to make sure that I have a way of contacting all of my students through email and phone. I would also need to make sure that I was always available since my students might not be only students from 9-3, but at any time during the day. Having your directions also very clear is important since sometimes reading directions are much different then hearing them. Also providing my students with helpful resources they can find online is also beneficial for their learning experience.