Distance learning is about acquiring education from an institute or an
individual physically far from your base. In today’s world, people
who opt for distance learning have numerous means to select from. The
Internet has played a significant role in distance learning. It serves
as a major means of availing distance learning.
Besides the Internet, there are various other means through which distance
learning can be achieved. The means for obtaining distance learning are
given below
Online:
Online means can include Internet, telephones, etc., but the term ‘online
learning’ mainly refers to Internet learning. Online distance learning
includes courses and programs that are web based and delivered over the
Internet.
Tools like course management systems (WebCT, Blackboard, D2L, etc) are
mainly used to systemize communication, assessment, content and other
activities. Some courses may also require some particular computer hard
ware.
Stored Media:
Stored media includes materials like DVDs, CDs, audiocassettes and videocassettes,
on which information is saved and sent over. Material in stored media
is designed to be self-paced, flexible and modular.
Conferences:
Conferences are of three types. They include:
Video Conference:
Through videoconference, teachers and students are connected to each
other. It is a real time discussion. You can see each other and you are
free to ask any question you want to.
Audio Conference:
Audio conference is another method of getting in touch with your teacher
or student. The only difference is that you cannot see the person on the
other side; you can only hear his or her voice. Telephones and Internet
are the main sources for audio conferences.
Web conference:
A web conference can be both, audio as well as videoconference. Students
and teachers here can communicate and exchange their ideas in real time.
Print Media:
One phase of the print Media is a traditional means of distance learning.
The teacher and students can interact with each other through sending
letters and mails. The modern approach to print media is learning through
magazines, newspapers, etc.
Telecourse:
Telecourses include programs that are scheduled on television.
Web cast:
Webcast refers to the capturing and recording of videos, audios, slides
and other types of graphical and digital presentation. It is then synchronized
as a single streamed media program.
Multimedia:
Multimedia includes all sorts of digital and graphical representations.
It includes things such as DVDs, CDs, digital representation, etc.
Distance learning today is an important feature for learning a particular
program. The above given are the major contributions towards distance learning.
Through these technological means you can easily avail the benefits of distance
learning.
