Which learning style is right for you?
Interested in taking a course, but confused about which learning style is best for you? We've pulled together a quick guide to distance education, classroom, online, and blended learning.
What are Distance Learning Courses?
Distance learning encompasses a range of different learning options, but basically means learning outside of a classroom or the main college campus where the course is delivered.
The main advantage of this is the flexibility to fit your learning around your job, your family, or your leisure activities. However for those who enjoy classroom-based courses, or prefer the structure of set classes, this is not the option for you
There are a range of types of distance learning, online learning with and without virtual classrooms, correspondence courses, and regional study centres (the common model used by IGNOU).
What is Online Education? How can one study online?
Online Learning is a form of education in contrast to traditional teaching methods, with students not physically present in an institution. Online learning is solely delivered through the internet. With online learning students remain able to interact with peers and tutors via virtual classrooms, forums, and chat rooms, allowing the exchange of ideas and questions.
These courses generally offer the same curriculum as on-site programmes and come with a discounted price tag. Moreover, online learning offers the benefit of:
- Studying from home, reducing travel costs
- Earning while you learn, as you can chose when you study and fit it around college or a job
- Fit your course into your life, with flexible learning you can study at your own page
What is Blended Learning?
Blended Learning is an amalgamation of distance learning and traditional face-to-face learning. Part of the course will be taught in a classroom which requires the student to be physically present, while the other half of the course will be taught by distance learning.
It’s great for those who want the flexibility and convenience offered by distance learning, but would like to interact with teachers and students face-to-face. Furthermore, those who are concerned they may lack the self-motivation to complete projects or assignments independently will benefit from the rigidity throughout the course.
What are Correspondence Courses?
With correspondence courses students receive their education and all their course material through messages i.e. through post, email or fax. Correspondence courses do not provide any kind of classroom learning or tutor support. The major benefits of correspondence courses are that it offers students the ability to study at their own pace and does not have a compulsion of attending classes.