Distance Education- A real deal or just hype?

Distance education or Distance learning program is specially designed for students who are unable to attend school for various circumstances. It involves various correspondence or distance programs where a student can correspond with the school via post. Today, it generally involves online education. A distance learning program can be complete distance learning with no classes being attended physically. A number of other terms such as distributed learning, e-learning, m-learning, online learning, virtual classroom, etc. are used for the synonym of distance learning. Students can enroll through Annamalai University admission procedure as it is one of the best distance education provider Universities in India. 

 

Since December 2012, the University Grants Commission [UGC] has taken all the responsibilities regarding the rules and regulation of distance education.

 

Why distance learning?

 

Distance learning is mostly used by working personnels to upgrade their skills. Students use distance education to enhance their skills and qualifications to make them job-ready. Distance learning is usually inexpensive as compared to regular degrees. For example, Annamalai university fees structure is lower for their distance learning programs as compared to their classroom programs. Therefore, candidates can sometimes have a doubt regarding the validity and scope of the distance education degree. If you pursue distance education from a verified institution, its validity is the same as a normal degree.

 

Some benefits of distance education are:

• Less expense: Distance education is mostly inexpensive as compared to regular classroom programs.

 

• Age isn’t a restriction: Where most degree programs have an age restriction, distance education programs generally don’t have such restriction. 

• No travel required:  Distance programs can be availed from anywhere at any point of time as is comfortable for the learner.

 

• On job training: The learner can learn a specific skill which is required by their job rather than completing the whole degree. 
  
  
• No eligibility criteria: While normal degree courses require you to have completed a certain degree, online courses don’t require you to do so like Annamalai University admission.

 

Which courses can you opt for?

You can opt for courses like B.A, B.Sc, B.Com, B.Ed, BBA, BCA, etc at UG level and enroll in their respective PG equivalents (masters) as well. Various diploma courses like mass communication and journalism can also be done via distance education.

Which institute to choose?

Private and Government universities alike provide distance degrees. A breakdown for the types of universities that provide distance education in India is given below:

• National Open University
• State Open Universities
• Distance Education Institutions (DEIs):

-Institutions of National Importance

               -Central Universities

               -State Universities

               -Deemed to be Universities

               -State Private Universities

• DEIs at Stand-alone Institutions

               -Professional Associations

              -Government Institutions

              -Private institutions 

 

Degrees by government colleges and universities are generally cheaper. You can check the Annamalai university fee structure to get a better idea of the fees they charge. You should consult with your peers before choosing a course. Most institutes require you to pass their minimum age requirement (mostly 18 years) to enroll in their courses and admission to distance learning courses may vary from one institution to another. Some colleges offer admission through their entrance test while some of them provide direct admission. Another thing to keep in mind before getting admission into the distance program is to confirm that the Institution & the course in which you want to get admission must be recognized by Distance Education Council (DEC), New Delhi.

 

Conclusion:

 

Distance education is a boon of modern-day technology which if grabbed and worked upon seriously, may lead to better career opportunities. The scope of distance education has consistently been increasing over the years. The more degrees you have, the more employable you are- and this holds true for distance learning as well. Students shouldn’t doubt the validity of distance learning degrees as institutions providing them are identified by government bodies.