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Distance education is no longer a fiction of sci-fi writers of the 20th century. Now you can get a degree or a new profession without leaving your home. We talk about the features of such training in the article.
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Online education is no longer a creation of 20th-century science fiction writers. After the COVID-19 outbreak, online learning has become more popular than ever. And it's not just about language schools or design courses; full-fledged higher education programs are also available online. Today, a wide range of professions can already be mastered through distance learning.
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Online education comes in several forms:
Online education should not be confused with the remote learning experienced by many students during the coronavirus pandemic. While remote learning involved students not physically attending university, their schedules remained unchanged, attending lectures and seminars at specific times.
In contrast, online programs typically lack a fixed schedule. Lectures and seminars are pre-recorded, allowing students to access them at their convenience within a set timeframe and take tests accordingly.
Online higher education options offer diverse opportunities for degrees. Numerous distance programs are available around the world, with some universities dedicated entirely to online education, such as The Open University in Great Britain and University of the People in the States.
To begin the selection process for a program, start by identifying universities that offer distance education programs. Here are some helpful tips to guide you.
Many universities share courses publicly on platforms such as Coursera and edX. In Russia, for instance, Open Education is quite popular. We have compiled a comprehensive list of renowned universities and independent platforms in a separate article.
Free classes typically span 2-3 months. Use this time to evaluate the quality of the university's educational materials and determine if it aligns with your preferences.
| University | Course offerings | Number of courses | Duration (weeks) | Platform |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Harvard University |
| 133 | 1-10 | edX |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| 150 | 1-16 | edX |
| Sorbonne University |
| 15 | 6-9 | edX |
| Imperial College London |
| 19 | 4-7 | edX |
| Seoul National University |
| 22 | 1-6 | edX |
When evaluating universities, renowned global ranking systems like QS, THE, and ARWU prioritize traditional, offline educational quality. They disregard online programs due to their limited availability across most institutions.
Instead, they focus on the university's reputation and its academic contributions. Therefore, consider national rankings provided by reputable organizations as they compile both offline and online offerings. For instance, Best College Reviews can help in selecting suitable online programs from US colleges and universities.
If a university occupies top positions in rankings, this doesn’t necessarily mean that it will have a strong online education. Quality distance learning programs are often found in mid-sized universities. This is logical: adaptability and unique offerings are essential for competitiveness, prompting these institutions to embrace innovative options that set them apart.
Online students should be entitled to receive the same quality of education as their offline counterparts. This includes access to technical support, library resources, career guidance, and regular communication with teachers — an equivalent level of support and resources as students attending classes in-person.
Some organizations, often private institutions, might offer unaccredited online bachelor’s or master’s programs. While the quality of education might not significantly differ, you will not receive a state-recognized diploma. The document will lack legal force, which could potentially become problematic during the employment process.
Educational institutions receive accreditation from non-profit associations and authorized organizations. For instance, in Europe, accreditation is carried out by ENQA, in Switzerland — by EduQua, and in the field of business education — by AMBA, EQUIS, and AACSB.
Study the university website to find the accrediting agency information. Then, verify the accreditation agency's affiliation with the university on their website.
Consider these factors when evaluating the program:
In remote learning, all student-teacher interactions occur through the Internet:
Similar to in-person education, remote teachers conduct exams and assessments, evaluating projects, practical tasks, and independent work. At many Russian universities, physical attendance at exams is often mandatory. However, in foreign distance programs, control tests are frequently administered online.
The system of proctoring is actively employed, which monitors student behavior during exams to prevent cheating or collusion with others. A webcam captures the test-taker, while a specialized program records the computer screen.
The role of an observer or proctor can be fulfilled by either a person or a computer. In the latter case, the system autonomously identifies suspicious actions of the examinee.
A combination of both methods, known as mixed proctoring, is also possible. Here, the program detects violations and reports them to a human proctor, who then reviews the observations and determines if any exam protocols were indeed violated. The evaluation of the exam tasks is conducted separately from the proctoring process.
At an online university, students undertake a final qualifying work — a diploma defense, just like in traditional education. The senior student independently selects a teacher, with profiles of potential supervisors available in their personal account. The chosen teacher later publishes consultation schedules through the same platform.
Some universities conduct the diploma defense through a video conference, while others require students to attend in person. During the online defense, students activate their webcams and screen sharing. The Commission, in full strength, participates in the virtual session. To ensure the integrity of the process, many universities utilize biometrics technology, which recognizes individuals based on facial features and voice. This measure ensures that remote diploma defense is as secure and reliable as in-person defense. Once the evaluation is complete, the diploma grade is displayed in the student's personal account.
Employers do not typically differentiate between remote and in-person education when considering candidates. To avoid any doubts, it's important to verify the accreditation of the prospective higher education institution beforehand. Accredited universities issue diplomas identical to those obtained through traditional methods.
Often, diplomas acquired through distance education indicate a hybrid study format, ensuring no compromise in their value. Employers might not even be aware that you pursued remote learning.
However, certain companies may question whether online students have adequately developed soft skills. Students in face-to-face programs have more opportunities to hone their ability to interact effectively with others.
Online education extends beyond accredited university programs. If you seek a diploma, then enrolling in those programs is most appropriate. However, alternative platforms offer the chance to acquire skills for your desired profession.
While these platforms won't award diplomas and may not provide extensive theoretical knowledge, they emphasize practical skills — crucial for professions such as design and programming. Diligently pursuing these courses allows you to build a portfolio that can be shared with potential employers, propelling your career forward. Demonstrating expertise matters more to employers than possessing a diploma, especially if you excel in your field.
Numerous universities are set to expand their range of distance programs. In the past, universities simply offered courses on platforms like Coursera. Now, they provide comprehensive higher education through these platforms.
For instance, the Higher School of Economics plans to introduce several online bachelor's and master's programs starting in the fall of 2021. By 2023, the university aims to completely replace face-to-face lectures with distance courses, as officially announced by its rector, Yaroslav Kuzminov[1].
Additionally, MOOC.org, an online platform launched by Harvard and MIT, targets a significant increase in users over the next few years. With 155,000 current students, the platform aims to attract at least a billion users, aided by Covid-related restrictions and growing confidence in online education.
However, before distance learning becomes commonplace, several essential changes must occur:
Implementing these changes will take years. Until these reforms are in place, traditional learning will remain the predominant mode of education.
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