How Distance Learning is Changing Education

The world of education has always developed alongside technology; we started with text, face-to-face learning in the classroom, and then came radio and TV, which were both used for instruction. The Internet changed everything and using VoIP technology, it is now possible to sign up for a wide range of distance learning programs. 

Online learning

Using cutting-edge intranet management software, educational institutions can offer online courses; most universities and colleges offer online programs for their students, while some integrate distance learning with campus classes. If you would like to take an MBA, you can join an online class that will get you the credits you need; studying in the evenings and at weekends, the course material is always available and you submit assignments to professors via email.

Schools

The pandemic saw many schools switch to online study and now that things have returned to normal, schools still offer this service to remotely located students. Gone are the days when you had to live in a geographical location in order to attend a school, as long as you have a stable Internet connection, you are good to go.

Powerful online collaboration tools

Sometimes, learning involves collaborating with other students and programs like Zoom offer powerful tools such as a communal whiteboard, which can be used to share ideas. File-sharing and updating in real time empower the student in so many ways and classes are structured, with the teacher giving links to videos to watch and access to all previous lectures. Online learning is no different to being in a classroom, thanks to digital tech. Click here to find out how AI is helping warehouse businesses.

Remote communities

Australia has its fair share of remote communities and they benefit greatly from distance learning; kids can study from home without having to travel great distances, which is a game-changer. Satellites bring vital Internet coverage to hard-to-reach locations and soon Elon Musk will have covered the planet with his low-orbit 5G satellites. 

Special needs education

Another sector that benefits greatly from digital tech is special needs education; parents can sit with their child and help them as they interact with a remotely located special ed teacher. Autistic children have many social issues and learning online takes away many of the social pressures, allowing them to integrate with their peers.

Teacher training

Of course, the new generations of teachers need to have adequate IT skills to manage online classes; in teaching colleges, distance learning is part of the syllabus. Teachers are trained in classroom management in a virtual environment and they are equipped to manage their classes. The arrival of 5G has definitely helped, with students able to enjoy hi-def video and clear audio, even over very long distances.

We are currently going through a period of transition regarding digital technology, with the Internet of Things on the horizon and the 10x speeds of 5G. Australia enjoys a high standard of Internet service and that empowers educational institutes in many ways.