In 1969, the establishment of The Open University changed the face of higher education forever. Instead of students needing to have a background in education achievement or even having to attend lectures or classes, anyone could now earn a degree from anywhere. Today the institution boasts in excess of 180,000 students studying at graduate, postgraduate, and diploma level and has influenced countless other universities and learning establishments to offer distance learning and home study opportunities.
In a statement to the Tivy-Side Advertiser, Director of OU Wales, Rob Humphreys, pointed out the role of part-time HE study in outsmarting the recession," and highlights the importance of abundant distance learning opportunities at such a time. So why is distance learning so important today?
With the global economic crisis and credit crunch , increasing redundancies have forced many individuals to reconsider their future career plans. One of the benefits of studying from home is the flexible time factor, meaning that you can choose to study full or part-time, and around any other commitments such as work or family. By not having to travel to lecture theatres and seminar rooms for specific times, you can instead embark on a learning experience that is primarily asynchronous in nature.
Alongside this, the cost factor of returning to learning in adulthood has long been something that has put prospective students off. With distance education and online learning, savings can be made from not having to spend money on lodging or transport. Instead, the only costs that have to be accounted for are your tuition fees (which are far cheaper), and the correct equipment which will typically entail a home computer and broadband connection.
Additionally, aside from being educated in a subject of your choice, studying a course online is also a great opportunity to get up to speed with your IT skills. With the advancement of the internet, ways of teaching and interacting with peers are constantly being informed by such social-technological trends as social networking. As a result, networking and communication methods such as wikis, forums, and blogs, are all becoming essential means for students to interact and reflect on work, topical events, and issues. Today, knowledge of social and digital media is considered a key skill in the workplace, and such methods are subsequently becoming adopted by more businesses. These skills become second nature to those who study online.
In a statement to the Tivy-Side Advertiser, Director of OU Wales, Rob Humphreys, pointed out the role of part-time HE study in outsmarting the recession," and highlights the importance of abundant distance learning opportunities at such a time. So why is distance learning so important today?
With the global economic crisis and credit crunch , increasing redundancies have forced many individuals to reconsider their future career plans. One of the benefits of studying from home is the flexible time factor, meaning that you can choose to study full or part-time, and around any other commitments such as work or family. By not having to travel to lecture theatres and seminar rooms for specific times, you can instead embark on a learning experience that is primarily asynchronous in nature.
Alongside this, the cost factor of returning to learning in adulthood has long been something that has put prospective students off. With distance education and online learning, savings can be made from not having to spend money on lodging or transport. Instead, the only costs that have to be accounted for are your tuition fees (which are far cheaper), and the correct equipment which will typically entail a home computer and broadband connection.
Additionally, aside from being educated in a subject of your choice, studying a course online is also a great opportunity to get up to speed with your IT skills. With the advancement of the internet, ways of teaching and interacting with peers are constantly being informed by such social-technological trends as social networking. As a result, networking and communication methods such as wikis, forums, and blogs, are all becoming essential means for students to interact and reflect on work, topical events, and issues. Today, knowledge of social and digital media is considered a key skill in the workplace, and such methods are subsequently becoming adopted by more businesses. These skills become second nature to those who study online.
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