Changing The Institutional Perspective on Distant Learning

While distant learning is becoming very popular as the modern day method of learning instruction, it is common knowledge that the benefit it brings focuses mainly on the delivery of educational opportunities to its students. In using technological methods to make learning and information accessible to students who are separated from their instructors by distance and time, the obstacles in attaining a full education  will soon be a problem in the past.

Although there are many ways to access distant learning, especially with the inception of the internet,  not all the traditional educational institutions around the world are offering it. The reasons for this may be logistic issues and the lack of full understanding on how this new method of instruction may be beneficial for both instructor and student. There are also some learning constraints with some courses that will eventually require the on-site presence of the student to physically demonstrate what they have learned.

Perhaps in time, these institutions will be willing to overlook the impression that only students benefit more from this method of learning. There are 4 main reasons why these academic institutions would most likely adapt this educational system.

• Distant learning helps in coping with the demands for training and education from businesses and the general public. This instruction system offers flexibility of time and location which enables it to accommodate learners with time constraints that were imposed by their personal commitments and responsibilities.


• The instructional system which is conducted, most of the time or entirely, outside a classroom setting reduces the need for institutional infrastructures like school buildings. In universities or colleges that impose a quota on the number of students enrolling in particular courses due to the size limitation of their facilities, offering this system as an alternative method of learning solves the problem of capacity constraints.


• This new method of instruction provides a lucrative opportunity for institutions to earn from developing markets.  Currently, there is a growing public acceptance that puts value on lifelong learning even beyond the typical school age. Institutions can take advantage of this financially by offering adult or distance education. There are sectors in the business industry where specialty courses can be offered to both executives and rank-and-file for the purposes of career enhancement or in fulfillment of their promotional requirements.


• In the modern marketplace, one has to be competitive in order to keep up with the rapid changes. Offering distance learning courses may be the best catalyst in coping with innovation.