Distance vs Traditional College Education: Making the Choice

The barriers and limitations of education are being shattered. No longer are students required to sit in class every day, at the mercy of monotonous class schedules. The option now exists to attend school while never being in a classroom, known as distance education. Emerged in learning while being far away from the teacher’s physical presence, the same functions of a classroom are still available. What distance education offers is an alternative for those who may not have the availability in schedule to attend college. It also presents the opportunity to learn in unique ways, which may facilitate learning to some students better than the tried and true traditional method.

So which is better, traditional or distance education? There’s a lot of factors that play into this answer, but if you ask yourself a few questions you’ll be on the right track in coming up with your own answer.

What kind of learning style fits you?

One of the best ways to find out what type of education would best fit you is to discover your learning style. Learning styles come in three different flavors. The first style, the auditory learner, refer to people who learn best when things are vocalized to them. Whether through a lecture, vocal explanation, discussion (one on one or group), or thinking out loud the auditory learner is best at taking in information through the ear. While an auditory learner can easily survive distance education with some self adjustment, such as reading text out loud or discussing problems over the phone, they function best in a classroom.

The visual learner learns through use of their eyes. Illustrations, graphs, diagrams, and videos are all friends to the visual learner. They are also the most proficient at absorbing information from words, whether through notes, books, or online resources. Because of the visual learner’s strong ability in reading comprehension, distance education is an excellent choice for them.

Lastly, the kinesthetic or tactile learner is at his/her best when able to learn by doing. These kinds of learners absorb information by trial and error. In the event that a dining set was bought in pieces and needed to be put together, for example, the kinesthetic learner would typically toss the instructions aside and do it themselves, an approach that the visual learner would not likely follow. Kinesthetic learners can flourish in any learning setting, but they have to be creative. Some effective methods are taking notes vigilently, demonstrations when appropriate, or finding hands on ways to reinforce their knowledge when class is over.

What’s your schedule like?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of October 2009 the number of new college students enrolled in the work force was 42.1%. On top of that, the amount of older students (25+) has been rising and expected to rise 19% between the periods of 2006 to 2017. What does this have to do with schedules? It means more and more college students these days have obligations outside of school, including but not limited to family and work.

Your personal obligations play a role in what kind of education is right for you. While colleges have done their best to offer classes at a variety of different times, it might not be enough for some. This is when distance education is most lucrative, as it offers almost zero schedule requirements. You may be required to be online for a minimum amount of time in a day/week/month, or in some cases be available for group discussions. But, in most cases all that is required is that you show proficiency in what is being taught by completing assignment when due, and interacting with students and teachers online when you are able to.

For those with plenty of free time, physically attending classes isn’t so much of a hassle.

What kind of equipment do you have?

Your choice between traditional versus distance education also depends on what you have/what you’re willing to buy. For a traditional setting, the usual supply of notebooks, pencils, pens, binders, rulers, and a backpack or large folder will suffice; along with whatever else you’re particular class demands. You’ll also need a way to get to class, whether it’s in a slick SUV, a moped, a bike, the bus, or with your own two legs. Don’t forget mom.

For distance education, you’ll want a personal computer or laptop with internet access. It’s not a hard requirement if your college or a local library is close enough, but it’s strongly recommended. Whatever type of distance education you pursue, you’ll eventually need to submit or read material online. A printer is also a handy thing to have for making hard copies of assignments and instructions.

There is honestly no best choice, education is education; what you make out of college is completely up to you. Though each has subtle advantages and disadvantages, the best course of action is to pick what feels best for you. Going to college in the first place is a choice that demands congratulations; you are taking a positive step in your life that will pay off.