by Elizabeth M Young

Created on: September 10, 2009   Last Updated: September 12, 2009

After a stressful twenty-mile drive from work to the college campus comes the battle for parking. After the battle for parking comes the hike, which seems to go on for miles, to one particular classroom. The classmates are surly this evening and no one even says hello. Someone mutters, "The instructor is going to be late and may not show up at all." This leaves a twenty-mile drive to home, with no progress to show for all of that trekking and trouble.

This is one reason why so many students are opting for distance learning, preferably from home via online programs. The above example goes like this when a good online campus is available: After a refreshing shower and dressing in comfortable sweats, the walk to the home "university" is a brief one. The computer boots up, and logging in to the on line "campus" is done in a snap! After reading the latest campus news, the "classroom" is accessed. The latest lecture is available, and so are the assignments. After accessing and printing out the lecture and the related assignments, the student heads off to read while having a cup of coffee in the kitchen.

Another example: The workplace is suddenly in a heavy work mode, requiring 12-hour shifts for the next week. This will definitely lead to a week of missed classes. With a true distance education program, the change in work schedule would not be a problem. Coursework can continue as scheduled, since the "lecture" was downloaded and printed out, and the assignments can be submitted at any time before the deadline.

A final example: The student would never have thought of working on a master's degree! The three-hour drive to and from the nearest university at night, during the worst weather, is just not a safe or sane proposition. One evening class would mean starting out right after work to spend a single hour in class, then getting home just in time to get to bed. This would have to be done two to three times a week for just one class, and possibly every day if two classes are involved. Some classes are unavailable or are scheduled at the same time. Others can not be taken until the prerequisite course is completed. What a mess!

True distance learning involves absolutely no requirement to physically show up at a school campus. Books and materials are obtained online or through the mail. Midterms and final exams are sent through the mail.

Most distance learning programs, however, are hybrids which require students to be physically present for proctored midterm and final exams. The more established distance learning schools have many satellite campuses that are within an reasonable distance from the students home, and proctored exams can be scheduled at the student's convenience. In cases of extreme isolation, the more established on line university will have procedures for allowing a qualified authority to be certified to proctor the exams.

The pros of distance learning include eliminating stressful and dangerous travel, making class available at any time, eliminating missed classes, and allowing printed "lectures" that can be studied anywhere and anytime. Finally, assignments need never be late, since they can be worked on, saved, completed and submitted at any time.

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