Pros And Cons Of Distance Learning

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DISTANCE LEARNING PROS AND CONS
For at least one hundred years, distance learning has been a method of teaching and learning. Distance learning simply means the process of knowledge transfer from instructor or teacher to learners or students by time or physical distance and through the use of internet, video, CD’s, tapes and any other forms of technology to accomplish learning. This essay will argue that distance learning is the best learning method for students in the Pacific Region. Firstly, I will discuss why it is the best learning mode for students in the Pacific. Then, I will give reasons as to why it is not good for student in the Pacific Region.
To begin with, distance learning is inexpensive. It helps to avoid high cost of sending people overseas for higher education and training. A learner can just stay in his own country and be educated rather than traveling from his country to another to achieve higher level of education. (Sikua, 2007, pp.1-2) For instance, Sikua mentions that one centre in Makira Province in Solomon Islands has already got online courses and others that helps to avoid high cost for sending people to Honiara for learning.
Furthermore, it improves access to education for rural people. The use of technology components such as Internet, Video, CD’s and tapes help rural people to be more realistic in their learning. Through the widely use of internet, a learner can stay wherever he is and ask questions regarding a particular course through emailing the course coordinator. A learner can take more information regarding assignments through internet search rather than sitting and reading through some books in a traditional library which consumes a lot of time. For example, in Vanuatu learners take information ...

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...ng on their own. They may feel lonely or miss the social physical interaction that comes with attending a traditional classroom. As interviewed on the 3rd of May, Luke mention that he really miss his traditional classroom interaction because he has every opportunities to speak up, communicate with teachers and friends regarding school work compare to now where he is currently studying he is lonely and sometimes shy to ask question to his new friends and local tutors.
Therefore, distance learning is of a great benefit to Pacific Region student because it helps them to get better education in a more flexible and cheapest way of learning. However, it can be sometimes lonely, difficult and time lapse for learners to get information straight from the coordinator. For short, we can say that distance learning is the best learning mode for students in the Pacific Region.

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