Distance Education - Philippines

Distance education is traditionally defined as, any educational or learning procedure in which the guide
and the student are separated geographically. There is no interaction between students.

Distance education also known as distance learning or distributed learning, or remote education, has
now existed for ages. It involves acquiring information from methods other then the traditional way of
gaining knowledge – attending institutions. Some recent definitions have focused on it as a new
development, involving advanced technology

Present-day distance learning is influenced a lot by computer and electronics technology. The
technology has now made it possible for the guide and student to connect almost immediately. Study
resources can be delivered instantly through computers, satellites, internet, cable television, interactive
video etc.

History of Distance Education

Correspondence education, the initial form of distance education, developed in the mid-nineteenth
century in Europe and then spread to the United States and so on.

Initially distance education used the finest technology available at that time, the postal system, to open
educational prospects to people who wanted to study but were not able to attend traditional schools.
People who gained most from correspondence education were women, professional people, physical
disabled, and individuals who lived in areas where schools didn’t exist.

Isaac Pitman, a British is attributed to pioneering the concept of “distance education”. He started by
teaching shorthand via correspondence in 1840. Students were asked to copy passages from Bible and
send them for grading via the new penny post system.

In, American the distance education began in 1874 at Illinois Wesleyan University where bachelor and
graduate degrees could be obtained without being actually present in the classes. The Chautauqua
movement in the year 1882 gave the much required thrust to correspondence education.

Correspondence education became quite famous by 1900 and problems of excellence and fair practice
came with the popularity. The National Home Study Council (NHSC) was formed in 1926 in part to deal
with such issues.

Distance education went through a major change   after the invention of radio in the 1920s and the
arrival of television in the 1940s. Distance education is increasingly using combinations of different
technologies to improve communication between teachers and students. In 1900, after the arrival of
computer, distance education took a big leap. Now the teachers and students can converse sitting face-
to-face.
Students from business and university level have used the conferencing technique known as one-way
video/two-way audio where pictures from television are transmitted to particular sites, people can reply
to the newscaster via telephone. Television pictures can also be broadcast in two directions at the same
time through telephone lines, so that teachers and students at one place can see and hear teachers and
students in other places.

Types of distance learning

Distance learning does not rule out the traditional methods of learning. When used in the classroom or
professional education. It is also called distributed learning.

Types of distance education based on the medium

1.    Internet
2.    Video
3.    Audio

Internet Based Courses

Students receive instructions through websites, email, electronic bulletin boards, and messaging
systems.

Video Based Courses

Two types of video based distance learning courses are available

Pre-recorded – These are already recorded video tapes that are sent to the students which they can
viewed as per convenience.

Two-Way Interactive – Computer, satellites, cameras, and television allow teachers and students to
interact.

Audio Based Courses

This includes everything from phone conferences, radio broadcasting and prerecorded audio CDs.

Who offers distance learning programs?

Most of the universities nowadays offer distance and online learning programs for bachelor's degrees,
master’s degrees, and PhD programs. You are certain to find a course of your interest that offers you
with the skills you need to achieve your educational and professional goals.

Why distance learning? (Advantages)

1.    Ability to combine work with existing commitments

2.    Cheaper
3.    No deadlines
4.    Less pressure
5.    No set start date
6.    You can decide your time of and place of study.
7.    No matter where you live – you can still achieve a degree from anywhere in the world.

Disadvantages

1.    Distance learning requires self-motivation

2.    Lack of face-to-face time in virtual learning
3.    Distance learning does not offer immediate feedback.
4.    Distance learning must be accredited.
5.    Distance learning does not give students the opportunity to work on oral communication skills
6.    Distance learning does not always offer all the necessary courses online.
7.    Distance learning requires you to have constant, reliable access to technology.

Cost

Depend entirely on the choice of the course, university and the country. Cost of living in certain cities
like New York, Paris and Tokyo is extremely high. Therefore it is quite evident that it will be expensive to
study but joining distance learning will save money.

Job Prospects

With the economic uncertainties, combined with rising unemployment, it’s important to think how you
can stand out in a cut throat job market. Taking up a new vocational course by distance learning will
allow you to display self-motivation and attain new skills with negligible impact on your existing lifestyle,
which will prove advantageous in the search for your next professional move.