Why to Not Choose Distance Education as a Training Model
Online or distance education is not for every learner. Learners that require highly structured timelines and face to face interaction find eLearning is not a fit.
Many students have difficulty with a purely online learning model. A pure eLearning model lacks face to face contact with students and instructors, inhibits effective rich conversations, can lack structured timelines, prevents the total alumni social experience and presents challenges for auditory learners. Therefore, it is essential to look at various learning models when choosing education.
Lack of Interactivity With Other Students
Some online training offers opportunities for interaction through live chat and message board exchanges; however, that is not true for all eLearning offerings. The other challenge that distance learning presents is that the teaching is often done independently, i.e., students enter and exit the program at different times, making it challenging for the online learner to bond with other participants and build relationships. The face to face interaction that a classroom experience provides is missing. It can affect the learner’s level of motivation and cause feelings of isolation.
Miscommunications by Text Only Communication
The primary communication mode for students and teachers is via students and instructors through text – email, message board posts and instant messaging – there is an excellent risk of miscommunication. Conversation flow is inhibited by the choppy exchanges that can happen over many days. The text-only aspect of online or eLearning is a disadvantage of distance learning.
Lack of Structure
Many students learn better when they have structured timelines and deadlines. Unfortunately, the lack of structure that self-paced learning provides doesn’t work for this type of learner as they need the deadlines to motivate them.
Lack of Connection to the Institution
The alumni connection to a university can be lost when a student completes an online degree. The campus experience goes well beyond the classroom; a campus provides social benefits of clubs, libraries, study groups, restaurants and other forms of student interaction. The social aspect of learning is a critical factor in student motivation.
Computer Proficiency is Required
Online learning can be a difficult challenge for learners who are not well-versed or comfortable with technology. Often online learning models are complicated and require an advanced level of computer proficiency.
Doesn’t Fit with Certain Learning Styles
Learners who benefit from listening to a lecturer explain the concepts or discussing concepts in small groups can find eLearning that does not have an auditory component, such as webcasts or video clips.
Not all learners find online or distance education an excellent educational model for their learning. To evaluate eLearnings suitability, learners need to assess their learning style and the advantages and disadvantages of online or distance education models.