Why We Need Distance Learning

I have touched on quite a few elements of distance learning in my previous posts, but why do we need to incorporate these newer forms of learning into our classrooms? Distance learning brings to the table a whole new set of expectations and skills that students are going to need to acquire in order to compete in the real world once they graduate. 

One of the most critical skills that students learn to develop through a distance learning course is self responsibility and time management. These sills are extremely valuable and become more critical as they become older. The set up of a DL course requires students to manage their time and their assignments which makes them more responsible. How the instructor sets up the course and creates due dates for assignments allows students to plan and prepare for those assignments and manage their time to get them done. These courses generate responsibility and require the students to be organized and attentive to each lesson. In an article written by Bobby Hall he found according to a study that, "in a survey of 126 students enrolled in an online distance education course, the most common response when asked about the benefits of distance education was that the students enjoyed the autonomy and freedom in assignment schedules given by the course." The ability to make choices and build upon those choices encourages students to be responsible and take action with their work. By providing a learning environment that fosters and builds upon these types of skills students will become better at managing time, being organized, internally motivated, and responsible.

If our students can develop these skills and become responsible with all aspects of their learning they are going to become top candidates for employment in the future.

Works Cited:
Hall, Bobby. "K-12 Distance Education: The Case of Rural Schools." The Cornell Policy Review (2012). Web. 28 Apr. 2015. <http://blogs.cornell.edu/policyreview/2012/03/16/k-12-distance-education-the-case-of-rural-schools-3/>.