Педагогические науки / 2.Проблемы подготовки специалистов.

Студентка Витисова М. Д.

Научный руководитель: ассистент кафедры иностранных языков

Анисимова Светлана Анатольевна

Донецкий национальный университет экономики и торговли имени

Михаила Туган - Барановского, Украина

Distance Education

Distance education, or distance learning, is a field of education that focuses on the pedagogy, technology, and instructional system designs that aim to deliver education to students who are not physically "on site" in a traditional classroom or campus. It has been described as "a process to create and provide access to learning when the source of information and the learners are separated by time and distance, or both. In other words, distance learning is the process of creating an educational experience of equal quality for the learner to best suit their outside the classroom. Distance education courses that require a physical on-site presence for any reason (including taking examinations) is considered a hybrid or blended course of study. This emerging technology is becoming widely used in universities and institutions around the world. With the recent trend of technological advance, distance learning is becoming more recognized for its potential in providing individualized attention and communication with students internationally. The most widely cited pedagogical theory of distance education is that of "transactional distance". Distance learning is a flexible form of learning where a student can study from home, work, on the move or wherever else is convenient.

Distance Education, as a field of education, just like any other educational system, has its advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of distance learning:

• Distance learning does not require commuting. This saves your money and time that you’d otherwise spend on travel back and forth to school. You can schedule learning around other aspects of your personal and professional life.
• You can complete most of the classes at your convenience. Most of the classes are asynchronous, which means you don’t have to attend a lecture at a particular time and place. You can review the assignments and do your homework during off-hours or at home.
• Live anywhere, study from anywhere while pursuing the education of your choice. You don't have to live in the same city or the same country to attend the learning institution of your choice. You can study wherever you have access to a computer and Internet connection.
• Gain extra knowledge. You can transfer the computer and Internet skills that you'll gain in the process of your distance learning experience to other sides of your life.
• Self-paced learning. For slow and quick learners. This reduces stress and increases satisfaction.
• Accessibility. You don’t have to worry about gaining access to a classroom or sitting on uncomfortable desks. Instead, you can use your comfortable furniture at home while enjoying free movement and a chance to further your education.

Disadvantages of distance learning:

• Costly and complex technology. Despite the many opportunities of distance education, there are inevitable accompanying costs. Live video communication for example, requires careful planning of the equipment and facilities. For online learning, you must own a computer (possibly with access to the internet) or have access to one. Thus required technology is not always available. Some learners may also be afraid (technophobic) of technology.
• Advance planning. Both the instructors and students involved in distance learning may need to make sacrifices at times to get things done in time.
• Hidden costs. If you work for the military for example, and you are on the ship, how do you get your materials? They may need to be mailed in advance incurring extra shipping and handling costs.
• Distance learning does not offer immediate feedback. In a traditional classroom setting, a student's performance can be immediately assessed through questions and informal testing. With distance learning, a student has to wait for feedback until the instructor has reviewed their work and responded to it.
• Distance learning does not always offer all the necessary courses online. Students pursuing a specific certificate or degree program may not have all the necessary courses available through distance learning so it is not suited for all subjects. Thus physical classroom attendance will be mandatory to complete the course.
• Distance learning may not be acknowledged by all employers. Although most employers do acknowledge distance learning, certain employers do not. Students who want to work for a specific employer upon graduation should be sure of that employer's perspective about online education.
• Distance learning does not give students the opportunity to work on oral communication skills. Students in distance learning courses do not get the practice of verbal interaction with professors and other students.
• Social isolation. Most often you'll be studying alone. Distance learners may feel isolated or miss that social physical interaction that comes with attending a traditional classroom.

As for me, I think that distance education is not suitable for every person because most people are not ready to understand this technology, as we got used to traditional classroom presence. This technology requires a lot of time for understanding but I think that in the future most of us will be learnt by this technology.