Although the advent of the Internet revolutionized every sector, its adoption in education wasn’t widespread until the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way of living. In particular, many medical colleges in the United States and worldwide blended their curricula with remote learning to increase the number of graduates, especially nurses who were at the forefront in managing the spread of coronavirus.
In the current post-COVID-19 pandemic, approximately 75% of US schools are reluctant to stop distance and remote learning because of the associated benefits. Due to this reason, colleges and universities with this teaching mode recorded a 7% increase in the fall of 2020 compared to a 5% rise in the spring of 2020.
By understanding the definition, effects, and pros and cons of remote learning, you’ll be in a better position to choose your preferred mode of study in college upon getting admission.
What is Remote Learning? Definition and Overview
Remote learning refers to the delivery of education across space and/or time. In other words, professors use digital platforms to lecture, send notes, and evaluate students’ grasp of concepts. Depending on the college, instructors can rely on the following learning management systems (LMSs) to disseminate information and course materials to learners:
- Blackboard. Regardless of your educational level, you’re most likely to come across this learning management system (LMS). Specifically, it facilitates remote learning in each grade level. Through this platform, your professor can create and disseminate educational materials.
- Canvas. If your college doesn’t use Blackboard, there’s a high probability that it will have this platform. This LMS is common in every Ivy League School because of its efficiency and reliability.
- Moodle. Considering that some learning institutions want to minimize the cost of accessing education, they tend to implement an open-source LMS. However, this platform is common among colleges offering MBA and BA programs.
Even though anyone can undertake distance learning courses, you most likely prefer it to a traditional mode of study if you run a business or work. After reading this section, what unique aspect have you identified? Based on the above comprehensive review, remote learning definition entails the incorporation of digital tools to revolutionize access to educational materials or assessments. You can be studying on-campus but benefit from this new trend in education.
Pros of Remote Learning You Should Know
Flexibility and convenience
Before delving into the specifics of this advantage, take a look at the following hypothetical scenario. Assuming you’ve an 8-hour shift in a biopharmaceutical company from 7 am to 3 pm. However, you should consider progressing your academics in the MBA to ascend to a managerial position. As such, you must attend a physical class from 1 pm to 3 pm thrice a week.
Since the time for lectures and jobs overlaps, you might end up reducing the hours for working. The consequence of this decision can be a lack of sufficient finances to meet tuition and personal expenses. Fortunately, you can enjoy the benefits of remote learning if you’ve a job or business. In the hypothetical case scenario, you can enroll in a college with a different geographical time zone, whereby you will be able to attend lessons from 4 pm to 8 pm while at home. Without a doubt, remote learning has enhanced flexibility and convenience in accessing education as you can seek admission to any university across the globe as long as its curriculum aligns with your schedule.
Personalized learning experience
You can’t highlight the pros of remote learning without acknowledging its role in promoting equity in education. Usually, when a professor lectures a class, he or she strives to achieve specific milestones. For example, finishing specific topics before a certain day or continuous assessment tests (CATs). What does this mean to students? It’s up to you to keep up with the professor’s teaching pace.
In such scenarios, you can’t blame the professor as he or she must adhere to an established timeline for completing the syllabus. Thanks to the increased popularity and adoption of learning remote approaches, you can preview course materials and videos at your own pace. Similarly, if you take a lot of time to prepare for exams writing academic papers, you can save the time and get your essay written quickly by FastEssay service. Its academic writers will handle your essay writing needs as you study for CATs and exams.
Unavoidable and Avoidable Cons of Remote Learning
Connectivity issues
Whereas remote learning was one of the solutions to curb the spread of coronavirus, its recent popularity is attributable to allowing students to access education at a lower cost than before. For example, you don’t need to be in Liverpool to study at the University of Liverpool. However, think of a student from a remote area in a developing country with a passion for pursuing an online business degree. What could be the primary limiting factors even if such a learner gets a scholarship?
In such a case, access to requisite IT infrastructure such as reliable Internet and fast-processing laptops is limited to students from developing countries. What’s more, frequent power outages might undermine connectivity to schools’ Canvas and Blackboard.
External distractions
Why do you think students tend to grasp a lot of concepts when reading in the library? In this case, the logical explanation concerns the building having an enabling environment such as pin-drop silence, an ergonomic study table and chair, and natural lighting. Unless you’ve set up a study room or space, you might strain to prepare for your exam on a couch or bed, which might prompt you to watch a movie or sleep.
Similarly, you might find yourself telling stories with your siblings and parents rather than studying. This behavior will waste a lot of time, leaving you with a few hours of previewing course materials. However, among the cons of remote learning, you can control or permanent these external distractions.
What Are the Effects of Remote Learning on Students?
Limits student-teacher communication
Without a doubt, a predominant negative impact of remote learning on students concerns the reduced in-person interactions. Usually, under the online study mode, instructors depend on instant messaging, email, and video conferencing for communication. However, due to the absence of personal touch, the possibility of misunderstandings and misinterpretation of messages is high. What’s more, remote learning lacks the capabilities of instant feedback, probably because of different geographical time zones. The school can change this negative aspect by forming a social media group for real-time interactions.
Teaches students to be time-conscious
Imagine you don’t have someone to remind you about attending a virtual class or studying for an upcoming assessment. What do you think are potential negative effects? There’s a high potential that you might miss the lecture if you don’t plan yourself well. However, think about its positive effects. This study mode will prompt you to utilize digital tools as reminders to plan your day. You’ll find yourself developing time management cues in the long run.
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Parting Shot
If you want to save on the cost of attaining a degree in a reputable college in any part of the world, you should consider undertaking remote learning. However, you should ensure that you have access to reliable Internet and electricity. Even if you study online, you might find out that writing assignments and homework is overwhelming, especially when you work overtime to get extra cash.
