The original concept of distance learning involved a student connecting with a course via correspondence with no personal communication with tutors or professors. However, today’s technology enables brilliant connections to be made between professors and students, as well as between students themselves.
Distance learning is delivered via electronic platforms, often supplemented by Skype calls and other technology sharing. So the ‘distance’ aspect is being removed, but the student is not physically attending an institution. It is the way forward for international students to gain world-class qualifications.
Distance learning is rapidly gaining ground. Courses can be efficiently delivered to meet the students own timetable and work or domestic needs. It enables students to work when they want to, not when somebody else wants them to. It also lets them re-cover ground they might need help with, in their own time, and with no embarrassment.
Today’s technology lets them put their questions to their tutors, and the tutors can answer them either in “real-time” or at some other time, especially when multiple time zones are involved. It makes the learning experience very much easier.