What is distance learning?
“The
college without walls” is how one community college administrator
describes distance learning. More and more, it means taking online
classes. “Students have to do exactly what they would do face to face
only they can do it at the kitchen table at midnight if that's the only
time they can study,” says Dr. Henry van Zyl, vice provost of distance
learning and independent adult learning at Thomas Edison State College
in New Jersey. “The students and the professor can be separated by
thousands of miles and several hours' time difference. And it's great
for international students because you don't have that upheaval,
picking up your roots and going to a new country.” Carnegie Mellon University, a university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, known for engineering and computer science, has a different approach to distance learning. The school offers classes in computer security in Greece, and professors are beamed in through teleconferencing.
Who benefits most from distance learning?
Most are working adults, and a majority of participants are female. The appeal of taking classes online is particularly strong for working adults. According to the U.S. Department of Education, more than 40 percent of today's higher education students are now 25 years of age or older. At Rio Salado College, which is in the Maricopa Community College system in Arizona, the average age of online students is 28. Fifty-eight percent of students are female. “We have a lot of night owls, a lot of moms with small children at home,” says Linda Bird, public relations manager at Rio Salado College.
What are the misconceptions about distance learning?
Institutions that specialize in distance learning programs pride themselves in providing as much, or as little, support as the student needs. Students must have proctors for their tests, so cheating is minimized. “At Rio Salado, online learning is very interactive,” Bird says. “Our faculty is required to respond to students' needs and requests within two days, and they take that charge very seriously.” The professor typically distributes the weekly syllabus at the beginning of the semester (just like on-site learning), and students usually must participate in online discussion boards and respond to professors' questions.
Universities that offer distance learning courses consider them to be more individualized. “Our faculty sees themselves as the facilitators of learning,” says Bird of Rio Salado College, which has more than 21,000 students enrolled in online courses. “They're more interested in encouraging students to become master learners by teaching students how to become more self-reliant in learning.”
How much does distance learning cost?
It depends on the school, but distance learning tends to be a more economical way to get a degree. At Thomas Edison State College, the school charges out-of-state students and international students the same annual fee: approximately $5,000 the first year and $4,000 per year thereafter. The one-time fee pays for up to 36 credits during the academic year.
Getting that degree is worth it, educators say. An American degree can mean an increase in income and in prestige. “An American education is still regarded highly throughout the world,” van Zyl says.
