The Benefits Of Studying Online And Distance Education

October 15th, 2016 Career Advice

Everyone wants to study for different reasons. Some people are looking to expand their knowledge, gain a new qualification, further their career or even simply to learn new things. But, one of the major reasons people don’t pursue further education is due to time restrictions. Distance education is a great option for those looking to study, but as an alternative to attending a traditional institute.

So, what are the other benefits to studying via distance? There are quite a few reasons why you may choose to study via distance education.

Flexibility

One of the key reasons people choose to study online is the great flexibility of this form of study. For those who have work and family commitments, studying online or by distance education means that you can keep up with your employment commitments but still learn at a time that suits you. Often, people will work their normal hours, but in the evenings or when free from work duties, study can continue at home. It’s also great for those who have young children, so parents can study at a time when the kids are sleeping or otherwise engaged.

Access to facilities

For some, studying online means they can access facilities not normally available to them in their home location. For those who are living in rural or remote areas, distance education can help with the gap in accessibility to facilities that many people experience. With the development of technologies, distance education means the delivery of better education tools such as video lectures and tutorials.

Learning at your own pace

Because you’re studying online, it means that you aren’t locked into a specific timetable. This is especially handy for those who work irregular shifts/hours at work or split shifts. It makes things easier to be able to study at varying times each and every day or week. Some courses will also allow you to work at your own pace with no set assessment due dates.

Help to get work experience

Depending on the course, work experience may help with your learning. In fact, some courses require hands-on experience in order to learn proficiently. In this case, most distance education course coordinators will help you to find suitable work experience in your location if it is required. It’s important to remember that distance education doesn’t mean there will be a lack in hands-on experience.

Comfort

Studying at home can mean you’re feeling a lot more comfortable whilst studying. Instead of having to attend an institution, sit in a lecture hall or classroom, you could instead be sitting in the convenience of your living room on your own sofa. You can study at your own personal desk with your own equipment, which can be very reassuring for some who are worried about studying in large groups or in unknown locations.

Improve your resume

Whether you study online or on campus, a degree is a degree. Employers will still see that you have completed a degree and accept it as that. As well as this, because you have studied online, you can show potential employers that you have the discipline to study online and therefore can work autonomously and with incredible time management skills.

Fewer costs

Studying online compared to studying on campus may help you to save some money. Because you won’t need to pay for travel costs and other costs associated with traditional study. Further to this, online courses are sometimes cheaper than traditional courses. This can be ideal for those who are paying for their course fees up-front.

The syllabus for online education is exactly the same as on campus course-work, you just need to have good time-management and some discipline. Some people work a lot better with online learning as it provides a lot more flexibility than normal delivery methods. If you’re looking for a way to boost your knowledge and skills, but feel like you don’t have the time to go to a traditional learning environment, online or distance education may just be the perfect option for you.

To discover if an online course is right for you, contact the experts at ICI today.

by Gladys Mae

Gladys Mae serves as the General Manager and Head of Student Services at the International Career Institute. Gladys holds a degree in Mass Communication - Broadcast Media from the University of San Jose-Recoletos. She joined ICI in 2010 and has over the past 12 years been instrumental in providing leadership and guidance to staff and students alike. Prior to joining ICI Gladys led a multifaceted career with key roles in the banking and business process outsourcing industries.