The Benefits of I. Easy access for both students and teachers II. Knowledge of instructors and classmates A. Posting of bibliographies III.
One-on-one contact between instructor and student A. Phone contact B. Web-site email C. Chat areas IV.
Students learn just as easily as in the classroom V. Access to other students through online communication A. Personal emails B. Classroom and group discussion boards C. Online course chat rooms VI. Learning of proper etiquette required for posting discussions VII.
Learning computer tools A. Classroom and group discussion boards B. Chat rooms C. Web-site email D. Coffee shop chatting areas VIII.
Accessibility for student and instructor assistance A. Technical Support B. Student and Academic Advisors C. Financial Aid Representatives IX.
Convenience for students and instructors with everyday issues A. Careers B. Families C. Disabilities X. Overall availability and accessibility of higher-education to everyone A. Students C.
Instructors The structure for this outline was determined by the experience as a current student attending an online university, a distance learning program. The outline starts from what is expected to be my most important issue from my point-of-view as a student and proceeds with further benefits not only for students but also for instructors. Both can better understand the issues pertaining to distance learning by referring to the outline provided. Benefits are based upon research and technology, but the level of importance is based merely upon personal opinion and experience. Although personal opinion is important, personal experience is the best way to determine the benefits of a distance learning program. The outline was also prepared by research obtained from an article written by a college professor of English at the New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology.
“Despite all the problems I had, I would take another online course.” (Lynn H. Deming, entitled, Distance Learning: One Student’s Perspective of an Online Course. ) Also, evidence of success for this outline was found by researching a case study at Brunel University. “Quality assurance in the university has always been considered in three, equally important, ways: the curriculum and its assessment; the handling of coursework and assignments; and the liaison with students.” (Quality assurance for distance learning: a case study at Brunel University, British Journal of Educational Technology; Jan 2004, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p 5, 7 p.
) In conclusion, my outline was prepared through personal experience not only from my perspective but also from a student as written by a college instructor. It can clearly be seen that distance learning programs definitely have their benefits regardless of the outcome of each individual student and instructor’s personal experience. Overall, it has been determined that the most important benefit of distance learning is that of tutorial services through communication. Distance learning has been proven effective over the years. For example, distance learning has been more than successful for over five years at Brunel University.
(Brunel University, British Journal of Educational Technology; Jan 2004) References List/ Bibliography: Deming, L, (2000) Distance Learning: One Student’s Perspective of an Online Course, The Pleasures of an Online Course, Referenced 9 March 2005, web M unter, M. & Russell, L. (2002) Guide to Presentations, A Custom Edition Quality Assurance for Distance Learning: a case study at Brunel University, British Journal of Educational Technology; Jan 2004, Vol. 35 Issue 1, p 5, 7 p. Retrieved March 9, 2005, from EBSCO, Research Databases, Pro Quest Education Journal.