Editing Distance education (section)

== Benefits ==
Distance learning can expand access to education and training for both general populace and businesses since its flexible scheduling structure lessens the effects of the many time-constraints imposed by personal responsibilities and commitments.<ref name=Oblinger>{{cite journal |last=Oblinger |first=Diana G. |year=2000 |title=The Nature and Purpose of Distance Education |journal=The Technology Source |issue=March/April |publisher=Michigan Virtual University |location=Michigan |url=http://technologysource.org/article/nature_and_purpose_of_distance_education/ |access-date=23 January 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718000146/http://technologysource.org/article/nature_and_purpose_of_distance_education/ |archive-date=18 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="CFP">{{cite journal|last1=Masson|first1=M|title=Benefits of TED Talks|journal=Canadian Family Physician|date=December 2014|volume=60|issue=12|pages=1080|pmid=25500595|pmc=4264800}}</ref> Devolving some activities off-site alleviates institutional capacity constraints arising from the traditional demand on institutional buildings and infrastructure.<ref name=Oblinger /> As a result, more classes can be offered and enable students to enroll in more of their required classes on time and prevent delayed graduation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Fischer |first1=Christian |last2=Baker |first2=Rachel |last3=Li |first3=Qiujie |last4=Orona |first4=Gabe Avakian |last5=Warschauer |first5=Mark |date=2022 |title=Increasing success in Higher Education: The relationships of online course taking with college completion and time-to-degree |journal=Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis |language=en |volume=44 |issue=3 |pages=355–379 |doi=10.3102/01623737211055768 |s2cid=244498785 |issn=0162-3737|doi-access=free }}</ref> Furthermore, there is the potential for increased access to more experts in the field and to other students from diverse geographical, social, cultural, economic, and experiential backgrounds.<ref name="Maggio, L. M. 20012" /><ref name="CFP"/>
As the population at large becomes more involved in [[lifelong learning]] beyond the normal schooling age, institutions can benefit financially, and adult learning business courses may be particularly lucrative.<ref name=Oblinger /><ref name="CFP"/> Distance education programs can act as a catalyst for institutional innovation<ref name=Oblinger /> and are at least as effective as face-to-face learning programs,<ref name="Blackmore, C. 2007" /><ref name="Jedlicka, J. S. 20022" /><ref name=Nguyen>{{cite journal|last1=Nguyen|first1=Tuan|title=The Effectiveness of Online Learning: Beyond No Significant Difference and Future Horizons|journal=MERLOT Journal of Online Learning and Teaching|date=June 2015|volume=11|issue=2|pages=309–319|url=http://jolt.merlot.org/Vol11no2/Nguyen_0615.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150906052453/http://jolt.merlot.org/Vol11no2/Nguyen_0615.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-06 |url-status=live}}</ref> especially if the instructor is knowledgeable and skilled.<ref name="Orr, P. 20102" /><ref name="CFP"/>

Distance education can also provide a broader method of communication within the realm of education.<ref name="CFP"/> With the many tools and programs that technological advancements have to offer, communication appears to increase in distance education amongst students and their professors, as well as students and their classmates. The distance educational increase in communication, particularly communication amongst students and their classmates, is an improvement that has been made to provide distance education students with as many of the opportunities as possible as they would receive in in-person education. The improvement being made in distance education is growing in tandem with the constant technological advancements. Present-day online communication allows students to associate with accredited schools and programs throughout the world that are out of reach for in-person learning. By having the opportunity to be involved in global institutions via distance education, a diverse array of thought is presented to students through communication with their classmates. This is beneficial because students have the opportunity to "combine new opinions with their own, and develop a solid foundation for learning".<ref name="calpoly1">{{cite journal|title=Educational Benefits of Online Learning|pages=1–6|year=1998|url=http://blackboardsupport.calpoly.edu/content/faculty/handouts/Ben_Online.pdf|publisher=CalPoly.edu|access-date=29 March 2013|journal=|archive-date=18 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130418021957/http://blackboardsupport.calpoly.edu/content/faculty/handouts/Ben_Online.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> It has been shown through research that "as learners become aware of the variations in interpretation and construction of meaning among a range of people [they] construct an individual meaning", which can help students become knowledgeable of a wide array of viewpoints in education.<ref name="calpoly1" /> To increase the likelihood that students will build effective ties with one another during the course, instructors should use similar assignments for students across different locations to overcome the influence of co-location on relationship building.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1111/j.1083-6101.2006.00308.x |title=Homophily of Network Ties and Bonding and Bridging Social Capital in Computer-Mediated Distributed Teams |journal=Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication |volume=11 |issue=4 |pages=1062–84 |year=2006 |last1=Yuan |first1=Y. Connie |last2=Gay |first2=Geri |doi-access=free }}</ref>

The high cost of education affects students in higher education, and distance education may be an alternative in order to provide some relief.<ref name=Nguyen /><ref name="CFP"/> Distance education has been a more cost-effective form of learning, and can sometimes save students a significant amount of money as opposed to traditional education.<ref name="CFP"/> Distance education may be able to help to save students a considerable amount financially by removing the cost of transportation.<ref name="worldwidelearn2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldwidelearn.com/education-articles/benefits-of-online-learning.htm |title=Benefits of Online Education |publisher=Worldwidelearn.com |access-date=1 April 2013}}</ref> In addition, distance education may be able to save students from the economic burden of high-priced course textbooks. Many textbooks are now available as electronic textbooks, known as e-textbooks, which can offer digital textbooks for a reduced price in comparison to traditional textbooks. Also, the increasing improvements in technology have resulted in many school libraries having a partnership with digital publishers that offer course materials for free, which can help students significantly with educational costs.<ref name="worldwidelearn2013" />

Within the class, students are able to learn in ways that traditional classrooms would not be able to provide. It is able to promote good learning experiences and therefore, allow students to obtain higher satisfaction with their online learning.<ref name=Kirtman>{{cite journal|last=Kirtman|first=Lisa|title=Online Versus In-Class Courses: An Examination of Differences in Learning Outcomes|journal=Issues in Teacher Education|date=Fall 2009|volume=18|issue=2|pages=103–115|url=http://www1.chapman.edu/ITE/public_html/ITEFall09/12kirtman.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130606074223/http://www1.chapman.edu/ITE/public_html/ITEFall09/12kirtman.pdf |archive-date=2013-06-06 |url-status=live|access-date=30 March 2013}}</ref> For example, students can review their lessons more than once according to their needs. Students can then manipulate the coursework to fit their learning by focusing more on their weaker topics while breezing through concepts that they already have or can easily grasp.<ref name=Kirtman /> When course design and the [[learning environment]] are at their optimal conditions, distance education can lead students to higher satisfaction with their learning experiences.<ref name=Nguyen /> Studies have shown that high satisfaction correlates to increased learning. For those in a healthcare or mental health distance learning program, online-based interactions have the potential to foster deeper reflections and discussions of client issues<ref name="Stanton, S. 20012"/> as well as a quicker response to client issues, since supervision happens on a regular basis and is not limited to a weekly supervision meeting.<ref name="Stebnicki, M. A. 20012" /><ref name="CFP"/> This also may contribute to the students feeling a greater sense of support, since they have ongoing and regular access to their instructors and other students.<ref name="Stanton, S. 20012" /><ref name="Stebnicki, M. A. 20012" />

Distance learning may enable students who are unable to attend a traditional school setting, due to [[disability]] or illness such as decreased mobility and immune system suppression, to get a good education.<ref>{{cite journal|title=An Exploration of the Representation of Students with Disabilities in Distance Education|journal=Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration|date=15 December 2011|volume=14|issue=4|url=http://www.westga.edu/~distance/ojdla/winter144/woods_maiden_brandes144.html|access-date=7 December 2012|last1=Woods|first1=Michael L.|last2=Maiden|first2=Jeffrey|last3=Brandes|first3=Joyce A.}}</ref> Children who are sick or are unable to attend classes are able to attend them in "person" through the use of [[robot]] proxies. This helps the students have experiences in the classroom and social interaction that they are unable to receive at home or the hospital, while still keeping them in a safe learning environment. Over the last few years{{When|date=July 2016}} more students are entering safely back into the classroom thanks to the help of robots. An article from the ''New York Times'', "A Swiveling Proxy Will Even Wear a Tutu", explains the positive impact of virtual learning in the classroom,<ref>Brown, Robbie. (2013). ''The New York Times''. [https://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/08/education/for-homebound-students-a-robot-proxy-in-the-classroom.html A Swiveling Proxy That Will Even Wear a Tutu]</ref> and another<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.norwichbulletin.com/article/20141109/news/141109566|title=Robot brings classroom to sick students|first=Elizabeth|last=Regan|website=The Bulletin}}</ref> explains how even a simple, stationary telepresence robot can help.<ref>{{cite web|author=Elizabeth Regan |year=2014 |title=Robot brings classroom to sick students |work=Norwich Bulletin |url=http://www.norwichbulletin.com/article/20141109/NEWS/141109566 }}</ref>
Distance education may provide equal access regardless of socioeconomic status or income, area of residence, gender, race, age, or cost per student.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://madamenoire.com/105928/cyber-charter-schools-the-end-of-public-education-or-a-new-beginning |title=Cyber-charter Schools: The end of Public Education or a New Beginning|date=22 November 2010}}</ref> Applying [[universal design]] strategies to distance learning courses as they are being developed (rather than instituting accommodations for specific students on an as-needed basis) can increase the [[accessibility]] of such courses to students with a range of abilities, disabilities, learning styles, and native languages.<ref>Burgstahler, S.,{{cite web |url=http://www.washington.edu/doit/Brochures/Technology/equal_access_uddl.html |title=Equal Access: Universal Design of Distance Learning |access-date=12 February 2013}}</ref>
Distance education graduates, who would never have been associated with the school under a traditional system, may donate money to the school.<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1080/01930826.2010.488597 |title=Untapped Potential: Seeking Library Donors among Alumni of Distance Learning Programs |journal=Journal of Library Administration |volume=50 |issue=5–6 |pages=515–29 |year=2010 |last1=Casey |first1=Anne Marie |last2=Lorenzen |first2=Michael |s2cid=62142672 |url=https://commons.erau.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1005&context=hunt-library-staff-works }}</ref>

Distance learning offers individuals a unique opportunity to benefit from the expertise and resources of the best universities currently available. Moreover, the online environment facilitates pedagogical innovation such as new program structures and formats.<ref>{{cite web|author=Andreas Kaplan |year=2021 |title=Business Schools: Going Digital Simply Must Make Sense!|url=https://blog.efmdglobal.org/2021/01/05/business-schools-going-digital-simply-must-make-sense/}}</ref> Students have the ability to collaborate, share, question, infer, and suggest new methods and techniques for continuous improvement of the content. The ability to complete a course at a pace that is appropriate for each individual is the most effective manner to learn given the personal demands on time and schedule.<ref name="CFP"/>

Distance learning can also reduce the phenomenon of rural exodus by enabling students from remote regions to remain in their hometowns while pursuing higher education. Eliminating the distance barrier to higher education can also increase the number of alternatives open to students, and foster greater competition between institutions of higher learning regardless of geography.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Joel |last=Goldenberg |title=Quebec can become a 'leader in distance learning" at universities: MEI|url=https://www.thesuburban.com/news/city_news/quebec-can-become-a-leader-in-distance-learning-at-universities-mei/article_59a7d233-2b80-5622-867b-86cd0b2075bc.html|access-date=2021-10-13|website=The Suburban Newspaper|date=6 October 2021 |language=en}}</ref>