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An international education at home: Distance learning graduate education
Distance learning isn’t for everyone: it requires self-discipline and determination. But for those whose personal or work commitments prevent them from attending a residential school, distance learning can offer a valid and flexible alternative.
“Distance learning means literally that: learning from a distance,” says Gough. “Distance learning students receive their study material either through the post, or online. They submit assignments through the post or email and receive them back marked. Students in this form of study sometimes have to buy their own prescribed books if they aren’t included in the package. The institutions which offer these courses will have their own arrangements regarding admission to examinations and where students should write these examinations.”
Distance learning is offered by a number of different types of institutions. UNISA in
South Africa is purely a distant learning institution, like the Open University in the UK and the Indira Gandhi National Open University in India. There is the option of studying for a degree from an international university whilst staying at home – which the majority do offer. Transnational education allows you to study for a degree from an international university at a campus in a different country – for instance the Australian university Monash has a campus in Malaysia and one in South Africa.
A distance learning degree allows the student more flexibility and is more economical.
Gough argues that a distance learning degree allows the student more flexibility and is more economical: “The advantage of distance learning over residential universities is that the student can study at his or her own pace, and can qualify while working for a living.” Rachel Scheer of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) in the US, backs up this flexibility by saying: “Often, the distance education student has a variety of personal, family and/or professional obligations that prevent him or her from attending a traditional, residential school. The ideal distance education student can maintain all previous obligations while adding the new responsibility of studies.” The DETC was founded in 1926, promoting sound education and good business practices in the distance education field. The nine member Accrediting Commission was established in 1955; shortly thereafter it gained the approval of the US Department of Education as the nationally recognized accrediting agency for distance education institutions. The Accrediting Commission is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in the US.
So is distance learning for you? Gough says you need to question your commitment: “The student needs to be committed. It is important that they take into account their work and social responsibilities and lifestyle and adjust their study load accordingly. This type of student must be comfortable studying alone and disciplined enough to submit each assignment on time.” Discipline is something which Scheer also picks up on: “Although it varies from program to program, most distance education programs are self-paced, requiring the distance learner to be rigid in his or her responsibilities, self-motivated, and a good time manager.
“Distance learning would not suit someone with no motivation to study on his or her own, who needs the structure of a traditional residential learning environment, or with simply no time for studying. Although it is possible to maintain family and professional commitments while attending a distance education school it does not mean there will be less work than a residential school, it just means you can receive lessons and complete course work at your convenience from home.”
Gough agrees that distance learning is not for everyone: “Students who enjoy regular interaction with fellow students and lecturers would find this difficult. And those who lack the discipline to study on their own and need the classroom input would not be suited to this type of education.” However, she says distance learning postgraduate degrees may offer: “a limited amount of contact in the form of tutorials.”
This form of contact can also be part of the accreditation process for the distance learning degree. AMBA has specific criteria when looking at distance learning MBAs and the need for dialogue and collaborative learning, and how this can be integrated within a DL MBA: “A common way of providing these opportunities will be through the provision of a significant face-to-face element to the program, for example, book weeks, residential schools or face-to-face tutorials. The duration of the face-to-face element is expected to be a minimum of 120 hours.”
