There are a number of learning options available to students which are briefly discussed below.

 

Delivery type/Study Option

Description

Advantages

Disadvantages

Face-to-face delivery

 

The traditional classroom or face-to-face instruction is when the instructor and the students of an educational institution are in a place devoted to instruction and the teaching and learning take place at the same time.  

*You can ask questions

*You can discuss issues with fellow students

*There is ample opportunity for social interaction and support

*You have access to on-campus student facilities

*If you cannot keep up with the rest of the class, you will have to schedule extra classes, which could cost you extra money

*Due to time constraints in class, the lecturer cannot answer each and every student's questions

*You will have to carry your textbooks to class every day

Distance/Correspondence

 

Distance learning is a method of studying in which lectures are broadcast or lessons are conducted by correspondence, without the student needing to attend a school or college.

*You can usually set your own pace of study

*It is your decision as to when and where you study

*It doesn't matter where you live – you can gain a qualification from anywhere in the world

*As with a full-time qualification, students may find that they gain useful, transferable skills, such as planning and research

*A distance learning course often costs less than a full-time programme

*Distance learning requires self-motivation

*Distance learning does not give you direct access to your instructor 

*Distance learning is isolated

*Distance learning requires you to have constant, reliable access to technology

*Distance learning does not offer immediate feedback

*Distance learning does not always offer all the necessary courses online

*Distance learning may not be acknowledged by a specific employer 

*There might be hidden costs

*Distance learning must be accredited

*Distance learning does not give students the opportunity to work on oral communication skill

Online/e-learning

 

Online learning is education that takes place over the Internet. It is often referred to as “e- learning” among other terms. However, online learning is just one type of “distance learning” - the umbrella term for any learning that takes place across distance and not in a traditional classroom.

*No need to travel, saving both time and money

*Whenever and wherever you like: early morning, while commuting or eating, during work breaks or in the evening. At home, in coffee shops, or on the train. Take a break anytime to give your mind a short rest.

*Online learning usually includes pre-recorded videos

*No need to buy textbooks although some have optional texts

*You can speed up videos during easy parts, and slow them down to understand more difficult concepts.

You can pause videos while writing notes or re-watch them as often as necessary. Many courses also provide transcripts for their videos. If an interactive transcript is provided, you can click on a relevant section of the transcript to watch that part of the video.

If videos or transcripts can be downloaded to your device you will then have unlimited access to them.

*In courses with dynamic discussion forums you can discuss issues with fellow students from all around the world.

*Lack of accreditation and low quality

*Little or no face-to-face interaction

*More work

*Intense requirement for self-discipline

*Even more intense requirement for self-direction

Blended

 

Blended learning is an approach to education that combines online educational materials and opportunities for interaction online with traditional place-based classroom methods. It requires the physical presence of both teacher and student, with some elements of student control over time, place, path, or pace.     

*Round-the-clock access to training resources

*A personalised training experience

*Better communication and collaborative learning

*Track participants’ skill and performance development

*Cost-effective training strategy

*The technology challenge - Infrastructure

*The technology challenge – Mentality

*Pace of advancement

*Negative impact on teachers - Overwork

*Negative impact on students  - Cognitive load

*The plagiarism and credibility problem

Self-study

 

Self-studying, which involves studying without direct supervision or attendance in a classroom, is a valuable way to learn, and is quickly growing in popularity among parents and students.

*Choose your own pace, materials, methods; everything is up to you

*Less stressed about failing in front of another person

*You don’t pay the teacher

*Its neither location constrained or time-bound

*Can take place from the comfort of anywhere

*Cheap or free

*You set the pace

*You can do it at any time

*No self-discipline

*No face-to-face interaction

*Lack of flexibility

*Lack of input from trainers

*Slow evolution

*Good e-learning is difficult to do

*Lack of transformational power

*No peripheral benefits