The New Form of Education – Distance Learning

So, what is distance learning? Well, it’s pretty clear now, considering its massive popularity since the start of the pandemic. Distance learning is the art of studying at home, online, through video-conferencing platforms. Some of these include ZOOM and Microsoft Teams. Being at home isn’t necessary. Being online is what makes Distance Learning unique. It means there is no physical interaction between the student and the teacher and that all sorts of assignments are given and submitted online. The pupils even receive Virtual degrees at the end of courses. Distance Learning has many names that include online learning, E-Learning, and remote learning. Even before the rise of the pandemic, many institutes provided facilities for E-learning for abroad students.

Now, as easy as it may seem, it’s not. Distance Learning faces many problems identified when the world’s schooling systems switched to online alternatives after Covid. First and foremost, distance learning can instantaneously become futile if the teacher lacks digital education tools. What are these tools? Well, there are many, but we’re just going to brief you on the main one. As a teacher, without them, your students would face an unclear, low-definition display with poor audio quality. A class with these problems is useless as the pupils do not gain any knowledge. For the obscure screen, what you need is a high-definition camera. And such is the case with JOYUSING’s document camera.

Document Camera

A document camera, also known as a visual presenter, or a visualizer, is a camera-fitted device that enables an instructor to scan and use virtual documents in their online class, helping students better understand the topic at hand. Visualizers do come in handy. Their high-resolution cameras ensure optimum quality of the image or document scanned and visualized. Individual shots taken by the camera and shared on a video conferencing platform can then be drawn upon by the teacher, helping their students understand the concept. It also has a flexible neck that allows you to move the camera at different angles finding the perfect position. Such EdTech (short for educational technology) is a must-have if you want to make your online class more enjoyable. It adds style to your way of teaching. A live practical demonstration shown to the students online makes it more understandable. A visual presenter gives hundreds of benefits to digital learning. You can even use it as a book scanner!

And if you’re looking for a productive online session, try using the best document camera money can buy. JOYUSING’s V500S USB Document Camera comes equipped with an 8MP, high-definition camera with an outstanding resolution, allowing you to zoom into the document without pixelation. It even has a built-in microphone. So, there’s no need to worry about poor audio for your students. Moreover, it even comes equipped with its visualizer software. Visualizer software is a program that enables you to record and modify the camera’s capture. Best of all, there are no complex steps for its installation. Plug it in and record away! It is the best visualizer for a classroom.

Apart from a portable document camera for distance learning, you’re going to need some more EdTech. Help yourselves to technological perfection for digital classes by visiting JOYUSING’s website. Don’t worry. It will all be worth it in the end. Enough talks about technology. What say you, reader? Let’s get back to the main topic – Distance learning. Like everything, online education also has its pros and cons. Let’s dive deep into them!

The Pros

• Lower costs

Distance learning is significantly cheaper than traditional education, where you pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to attend an institute. With distance learning, you’re cutting your transport fee to zero. You don’t have to pay to use the institute’s resources. The only main fee is perhaps the tuition fee the institute charges.

• Wide variety of courses

Almost every course you can think of is available just one click away. And the diversity makes this form of education even more attractive. Why travel abroad to a foreign country, spending thousands of dollars for a four-year course, when you can do that at the comforts of your home?

• Self-paced

Many courses present online are self-paced, meaning that you can set your timetable to study the course and complete assignments. Compare this with the physical programs where you’re bound to what the institute says.

• Most courses are faster

What does that mean? Simple, most online courses complete 40% to 60% more quickly than their physical alternatives. Such a pace helps a lot as the student can focus on what they need to do now, and it helps them increase their savings, as lesser time means lesser money given for that time.

• Individual attention

In physical classes, the teacher needs to show attention to every student. But in many online courses, you can enjoy individual attention as it is an online class and the teacher is available whenever.

The Cons

• Less socialization

Although this might seem like a plus point for introverts, it’s not. In the long run, at least. Distance learning has minimum student-to-student interaction, which creates a sense of isolation for students who tend to study better in groups. Moreover, it deteriorates social interaction, as was shown in a survey conducted in Italy.

• Lack of EdTech

Another issue faced during online learning is the lack of educational tools. Due to this, many students find it hard to learn from online sources as they have poor graphics and low-quality sound production. Such is the case for many teachers and students alike.

• Increased screen-time

As one of the most commonly known cons, screen-time packs quite a punch in the long run. Irreversible eye damage and back pain are just some of the disadvantages of increased screen time.

• Connectivity issues

Although the world has immensely improved the internet with unimaginable speeds, a large portion of the world still suffers from poor internet connections leading to difficulties in E-Learning. One study conducted in Russia shows internet problems as the main nuisance is taking online classes. That’s only Russia!

• Distractions

Distance learning includes many distractions. The student, if not self-disciplined, can easily succumb to distracting notifications from social media platforms and games. With traditional education, the teacher easily maintains their attention towards the topic.