Scope of Distance Learning Programs in India

With advancement in the process of educating the present generation in India, the internet has been playing the pivotal role in materializing this phenomenon. Just as technology is bringing about the much needed ease in the concept of communication, the globe is literally shrinking at a rapid pace. Owing to the fast pace by which the world is progressing, the common man has changed the way to live, learn, develop and make way for the new generation to step in and live with awareness and knowledge as the supporting roots.

What is Distance Learning?

The process of obtaining knowledge without attending any regular classes, and that too, at a fixed location may be considered as one of the definitions of distance education. The unique character carried by this type of edification is that the educational opportunities needed by any individual, anytime, and anywhere are fulfilled with relative ease.

The education, as well as the employment highway are getting congested, and as a result, the move for higher education is facing intensification. The reader too, must have observed that there is an increasing number of youngsters, who seek employment prior to even getting their graduation degree. The reason being a ready availability of jobs, specifically in the IT enabled services, customer care services, retail outlets, and even more. Since this generation can continue the education routine with the help of distance education, the demand for the same has considerably gone up.

Courses and Visual Classrooms

There are long distance courses that are paired with visual classroom learning. This forms the new combination of continuation of education while at work. Programs like interactive on-site learning or IOL exist, which help students refer to centers after the working hours at office. They can attend live lectures that are web-cast. But this is not the end of it! The distance learning courses also offer televised and visual classroom sessions to make the IT-enabled process of long distance courses more transparent, exciting, and useful too!

Preparatory Classes

Coming on to the system of Open University, the aspiring students are offered preparatory classes, which enables them to take further education even without the basic formal academic base. This can be exemplified by the course offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, which helps students achieve their Bachelor’s degree, and that too minus the formal edification just by completing the 3 month Bachelor’s preparatory program.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The diversification of an individual’s learning profile can again be provided by distance learning. One of the negative aspects that surrounds the distance mode of education is that a constant fear exists regarding the validity of degrees like these, and the return of investment. But you can make a credibility check here. The Distance Education Council acts as the regulatory body for the distance education providers. It must also be seen that the university that is offering a program of distance learning has been recognized by the University Grants Commission. In other words, any professional program referring to a particular field must be recognized by the respective regulatory authority concerned.

-Varun Acharya