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Abegail: NEWS WITH NO EXCEPTION, EXPOSED!

Christian: Broadcasting Live from Cebu Normal University

Abegail: Serving you the hottest, and the leading news at the hour about Distance Learning

Christian: For the HEADLINES!

Christian: For the first news, What is Distance learning and where does this first kick off?
Here’s Abegail Jabagat for the details.

Abegail: Thank you Christian. According to the dictionary, distance learning is a method of
studying in which lectures are broadcast or classes are conducted by correspondence or over the
internet, without the student's needing to attend a school. It is also called distance education.
Distance learning works by using Personal Computers, tablets, phones, and the internet so that
students can study from remote locations like home or office, rather than attending a university
campus. 

Distance education is not a new concept. In the late 1800s, at the University of Chicago, the first
major correspondence program in the United States was established in which the teacher and
learner were at different locations. Before that time, particularly in preindustrial Europe,
education had been available primarily to males in higher levels of society. The most effective
form of instruction in those days was to bring students together in one place and one time to
learn from one of the masters. That form of traditional education remains the dominant model of
learning today. The early efforts of educators like William Rainey Harper in 1890 to establish
alternatives were laughed at. Correspondence study, which was designed to provide educational
opportunities for those who were not among the elite and who could not afford full-time
residence at an educational institution, was looked down on as inferior education.

As radio developed during the First World War and television in the 1950s, instruction outside of
the traditional classroom had suddenly found new delivery systems. There are many examples of
how early radio and television were used in schools to deliver instruction at a distance.
Following the establishment of the Open University in Britain in 1970, and Charles
Wedemeyer's innovative uses of media in 1986 at the University of Wisconsin, correspondence
study began to use developing technologies to provide more effective distance education.

This is Abegail Jabagat, reporting. Christian, back to you. May we know what that are the tools
being used for distance learning?

Christian: Of course Abegail. *discussed the tools being used for distance learning*
Clocks strike at 20 minutes after the hour of 3:00
Can we go back Abegail Jabagat for the pros and cons of distance learning? Abegail?

Abegail: Yes chan. We are live here at Carcar City witnessing students who are currently in distance
learning. From what I can see, PROs are: 1. Online courses are very flexible, Since distance
learning programs don't require you to be physically present in a classroom or follow a
predefined timetable, you are free to set your own schedule. Distance education provides you the
flexibility to complete your coursework from anywhere, at any time, and at your own pace. 2.
You can learn and earn, Many students who take online classes are full-time professionals looking to
get ahead in their careers. Even if you're not currently working full-time, distance learning courses offer
you a flexible schedule that allows you to learn and work at the same time, and pay your way through
college. 3. Forget about geographical boundaries, Since you can complete a distance-learning
course from anywhere, you are not bound by geography. You can choose any school that offers the
program you want, no matter where it's located anywhere in the country, or even internationally. 4.
Get educated even with a tight budget, And since so many of these programs are self-paced, they
can offer you the opportunity to graduate in less time than a traditional program. Less time spent in
college equals lower educational costs. Plus, many online degrees have lower tuition fees. 5. Online
courses help you become tech-savvy. Distance-learning programs make use of sophisticated
technology to provide education. By accessing study material electronically, submitting assignments via
websites, and participating on online forums to interact with professors and classmates on a day-to-day
basis, you can become more technologically savvy than your classroom counterparts.

On the other hand, the CONS are: 1. Questioning Quality, Despite its popularity and growth, some
people may question the quality and validity of distance education. The biggest reason for this prejudice
against distance learning is the presence of online "diploma mills" that hand out fake degrees. The only
way to beat this bias is to make sure you earn your online degree from a properly accredited institution.
2. Not enough student accountability, The temptation to procrastinate can be immense when it
comes to online education, as you are on a self-imposed schedule. Therefore, you need to stay focused,
disciplined, and motivated to complete a distance learning program. 3. being overwhelmed by the
material, Distance learning is primarily self-directed. This may not work very well for you if you need
more attention from your professors, particularly for the more complex parts of the coursework. Self-
directed learning can make you an independent learner, but it's not for everyone. The trade-off is that
online degrees deliver the essential knowledge and tools to form a specific skill set for your career
development. 4. Lack of individual attention and feedback, Many students consider the lack of
interaction with students and professor the biggest disadvantage of distance learning. Online classes can
make you feel isolated. 5. Lastly, Missing out on campus life. By taking classes online, you might
feel you miss out on the activities associated with campus life. From cultural events to inter-college
games, from prom nights to graduation. But you can look at it as a small price to pay for getting the
quality education that may have otherwise been beyond your reach.

That’s all for distance learning pros and cons. Again, this is Abegail Jabagat, reporting. Back to
the station.

Christian: For the local news, How competent the Philippines is for distance learning? 
*continue to discuss*

Christian: This has been Christian Illaga together with my partner, Abegail Jabagat.
Abegail: See you again next time for another hour of
NEWS WITH NO BIAS. EXPOSED.
NEWS WITH NO EXCEPTION. EXPOSED

Christian: This is Trends and Issues in Education Station 97.5