Distance learning is an online program that lets you complete a college or university degree while remaining in your hometown.
If you’re like us, you’re probably thinking: “What is distance learning? And how can I use it to improve my education?”
We hear you.
When it comes to distance learning, not a lot of people are aware of what it entails and the different ways to achieve it.
That’s why we’ve decided to tell you guys about the main types of distance learning for those who aren’t familiar with the format and want to give it a try.
3 Types of Distance Learning
There are three main types of distance learning: Synchronous, Asynchronous, and Blended.
These types of distance learning encompass a wide variety of practices and tools ranging from synchronized online classroom learning to self-study culminating in a final test.
Blending learning combines different amounts of classroom studying and self-study and is usually the option most home students choose to take.
They’re all important in their own way and are designed to have benefits for students in different situations.
With that said, let’s explore the different types of distance learning down below.
Synchronous Learning: The New Face of Learning
What Is Synchronous Learning?
Synchronous learning is a new face of learning, and it’s here to stay.
Synchronous learning is a type of online teaching that allows students and teachers to interact in real-time.
In fact, it’s something that we all do every day in our lives, whether or not we realize it.
In a synchronous learning course, students are brought together in the same virtual classroom to take part in live sessions with their instructor and other students.
These sessions are usually held at scheduled times during the day or week, but they can also be held at any time of day or night.
Why Synchronous Learning Works
Synchronous courses are highly interactive because all participants are present in the same space at once — including instructors — so there is much more opportunity for discussion among students about course materials than in traditional online courses, where most interaction takes place via email or private message boards.
How Does Synchronous Learning Help?
- Increased student engagement: Students may find it easier to participate in class discussions if they’re not worried about falling behind or missing something important. This also means that students can participate in classes at times that are convenient for them — even late at night!
- Better coordination between students and teachers: With synchronous learning, there’s less delay between asking a question or making a comment and getting an answer or response from your teacher. This means you can get help when you need it instead of waiting until the next day’s lecture or discussion section.
Asynchronous Learning: You've Probably Done It Before
What is Asynchronous Learning?
Asynchronous learning is a teaching method in which students follow their own schedules.
They can take their time to complete assignments and tests because they are not required to do them at the same time as other students.
This means that a student may complete one assignment on Monday, another on Tuesday, and so on.
This can include:
- Live lectures where students watch a live video stream and interact with each other via chat or forums.
- Online courses where students are expected to complete their work at different times and submit it for marking by their teacher.
- Self-paced courses where students complete modules one by one and submit them as they go along (e.g., Online Course Hosting Platforms).
Why Asynchronous Learning Works
If you’ve ever taken an online course, you’ve probably experienced some form of asynchronous learning.
You might have had a lot of reading materials that were organized into chapters or modules and then quizzes or projects where you could demonstrate what you learned.
It’s important for professors to provide this kind of structure so students know what they’re supposed to be doing and when they should do it.
How Does Asynchronous Learning Help?
- Learning At Your Own Pace: Asynchronous learning allows you to learn at your own pace, and if you’re working full-time or have other responsibilities, then this can be a huge benefit. You don’t have to worry about missing deadlines or assignments because they aren’t due until later in the semester.
- Better Time Investments: Another benefit is that you don’t have to spend time commuting to classes, so you can use that extra time for studying or working on other projects. This is especially useful if you live far away from campus or if classes are offered only once a week or once every other week.
Blended Learning: The Best of Both Worlds
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is the process of combining different learning styles to obtain the best results.
It’s a method of instruction that combines online and face-to-face instruction to foster student engagement and improve outcomes.
It’s important to note that blended learning isn’t simply a combination of online and face-to-face courses.
Instead, it’s about combining the best aspects of both types of courses to create an optimal learning experience for students—one that provides them with both convenience and flexibility as well as personal attention from instructors.
Why Blended Learning Works
Blended courses are often delivered asynchronously (with no set schedule) or synchronously (with live events).
Some examples of asynchronous courses include Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), which allow students to access course content at any time.
Synchronous blended learning combines both live events and asynchronous resources.
For example, a student might watch an instructor lecture each week before class, then complete homework assignments via the e-Learning platform during the week or over the weekend.
How Does Blended Learning Help?
In addition to improving student performance, the benefits of blended learning include:
- Improved student engagement: Students who participate in blended learning classes have higher levels of engagement than traditional students. They are more likely to participate in class discussions and ask questions during lessons.
- Reduced costs for schools and parents alike: Schools typically save money by reducing classroom sizes and providing teachers with additional training on how best to implement blended learning programs within their classrooms. Parents, on the other hand, don’t have to drive their kids to school every day and save money on other expenses as well.
Conclusion
It’s clear that distance learning will be a worthwhile option for students in the future.
There have been some glitches along the way, but online education has turned out to be faster, more convenient, and more cost effective than traditional schools have been.
And that’s likely something that won’t change anytime soon—or at least not until we perfect personal jetpacks.
If you liked our foray into the different types of distance learning above, don’t forget to leave us a comment in the box below!
