Advantages and disadvantages of distance learning.

Shabanova R.I.
Dyshekova O.V.

Shabanova Renata Igorevna

Don State Technical University
Rostov-on-Don
rishabanova@gmail.com
Dyshekova Oksana Victorovna
Don State Technical University
Rostov-on-Don
oxygen777@inbox.ru

Аннотация. В данной статье рассматриваются плюсы и минусы дистанционной формы

обучения. Обсуждаются возможности и способы организации дистанционного обучения, а
также роль современных технологий в данном процессе. Авторы считают, что
современные технологии являются неотъемлемой частью не только онлайн-обучения, но и
всей современной учебной системы в целом. Большое внимание уделяется дистанционному
образованию, так как оно раскрывает множество дополнительных возможностей, как для
студента, так и для преподавателя.
Abstract. This article deals with the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning.
Possibilities and means of distance learning organization and the role of modern technologies in
the given process are discussed. The authors consider modern technologies to be an integral
component not only of e-learning, but also of a whole educational system. Much attention is given
to distance learning, as it opens up a lot of additional opportunities, both for the student and for the
teacher.
Ключевые слова: дистанционное обучение, преподаватель, студент, информационные
технологии, карьерные возможности.
Key-words: distance learning, teacher, student, educational system, career opportunities.

Distance learning, often called distance education, is the process where students
use the internet to attend classes and complete courses, without having to physically
attend a school or university. Distance learning is increasing in popularity as
technology advances and more opportunities arise for students to participate in
quality distance education. There are both pros and cons to this kind of learning, and
it’s important to research and learn if this kind of learning is worth to exist. 

There are several ways to organize a distance educational process: video

conferences, audio conferences, lectures in video recordings, providing textbooks, as
well as correspondence with the teacher, although this method is rather auxiliary to
the methods described above.

There are several pros of distance learning. First of all, students don’t have to
waste their time to get to the university. Thus, they won’t get nervous of getting late
for classes and they’ll have more time for studying subjects. Also, using the Internet,
students can find demonstrational material to use at the classes. They can show
presentations with the help of screen sharing. [3] In addition, teachers can show
students some enlightening videos concerned topics of the lesson. Moreover, there
can be some timid students who can’t be active in the class. In this case, distance
learning could be useful for such students, because they feel more freely.

There are also numerous cons of distance learning. There is no face-to-face

interaction between students and teachers. In most cases it’s hard for a student to
understand something, not being able to see his teacher. Also, while students are
sitting at home, in their own room, they don’t have enough motivation to study. There
are many distractions around them: their phone, pets or parents. Due to this, distance
learning may be unfavorable for students. Teacher can’t give students group tasks –
this may have a bad influence on their communication skills. Many students can’t
study on their own: they need company, whom they can ask questions or with whom
they can discuss the topic of the lesson. This as well harms the process of studying on
distance – students have much energy, but they aren’t able to spend all of it, while
sitting at home. Another difficulty that distance learners may encounter with this
mode of education is problem with technical equipment. Very often microphones or
cameras don't work, or internet connection becomes unstable, and because of these
difficulties students get nervous. They miss what their teacher says and lose all
motivation. [1]
 It is important to clarify that due to the quarantine situation in Russia due to the
COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions were forced to quickly take measures
to transfer face-to-face classes to a distance format. There was almost no time to
transfer the entire institution to a single distance educational system, as this involves
studying the most suitable option, training employees and students to use this system,
as well as creating a huge number of accounts. As a result, currently the most popular
options for organizing the educational process are such platforms as Discord, Skype
and Zoom.

The crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic came at a time when most
education systems were not ready for a world of digital learning opportunities. This
has created a wide range of problems, from the lack of infrastructure and teachers, to
the problem of motivating children.

But despite the obvious negative consequences of the pandemic, it nevertheless

provided a number of opportunities and an understanding that in today's
unpredictable world it is extremely necessary to bridge the digital divide and instill
skills to resist various threats. Bridging the digital divide can ensure resistance in the
most important sector of human development – education.

In previous years, educational innovators have experimented with teaching in

digital classrooms around the world, but the process has been slow and fragmented.
[2] Most teachers and students experienced significant difficulties with learning in the
new format. Obviously, the crisis situation has accelerated the process of testing and
adapting online learning in the vast majority of countries.

All things considered, distance learning opens up a lot of additional opportunities,

both for the student and for the teacher, on the one hand. On the other hand, the
remote form of education is the relevance of today and, possibly, of the future. In the
digital age, it's crucial to use all the technological ideas and skills to move with the
times. Not to replace the full-time teacher and full-time communication with him,
but correctly combine all possible functions of technical progress and full-time
training. And then there will be modernization and improvement of the entire
educational process and the goals set by the education system will be achieved. [2]

References

1. Scholarship Position Team What are the Pros & Cons of Distance Learning?
[Электронный ресурс] URL: https://scholarship-positions.com/pros-
cons-distance-learning/2014/07/25/

2. Ошкина А.В., Ценер Т. С. Особенности обучения в онлайн-формате в

высшей школе в форсированных условиях // International Journal of
Humanities and Natural Sciences, Сибирский государственный
университет телекоммуникации и информатики (Россия, г.
Новосибирск). – 2020.

3. Рывкин А. Дистанционное обучение. Плюсы и минусы. [Электронный

ресурс] URL: https://vogazeta.ru/articles/2020/4/17/distant/12609-
distantsionnoe_obuchenie__plyusy_i_minusy