Distance learning or face-to-face study?
In times of digitalization not only does the way a society lives change, but also how each individual learns. In addition to the traditional classroom universities, there are now also numerous distance learning universities that allow studies to be completed via digital platforms.
When deciding for or against distance learning, however, various aspects must be considered. On the one hand, it is a question of type whether distance learning suits you or not, on the other hand, the extent to which the degree is generally recognized is extremely important when choosing an online program.
Last but not least, the question arises as to how much prestige a distance learning degree has compared to a face-to-face degree.
Distance learning requires personal responsibility
Whether distance learning is an option can be answered relatively easily based on the following prerequisite characteristics of each individual: Distance learning requires a high degree of personal discipline, since you are usually not tied to prescribed lecture dates, i.e. the weekly time commitment can be divided freely .
Good time management is essential for this, as is the discipline to go through the learning material independently. The keyword self-employment is therefore capitalized in distance learning.
Just as with face-to-face studies, how easy or difficult the learning is depends on your own previous knowledge and the subject matter covered. However, ambiguities can be answered more quickly in the course of a face-to-face lecture than when studying at a distance university.
Distance learning is also suitable for working people, because face-to-face studies do not offer the freedom of time that distance learning universities offer.
This is the value of a long-distance degree
When starting distance learning, the program offered plays a significant factor in whether and to what extent the degree will later be recognized by potential employers. It is therefore important to ensure that you always select an accredited distance learning university that offers the academic degrees ‘Bachelor’, ‘Master’, ‘Diploma’ and ‘MBA’.
In addition to the traditional degrees, some online platforms also offer so-called certificates as a form of graduation. But this is not an academic title and therefore not a university degree.
If the distance learning course is completed with one of the aforementioned academic titles, this degree has the same theoretical status as a university degree from a face-to-face university.
In practice, it depends on the professional field and the potential employer how he views a distance learning graduate. Some HR managers see it as a positive aspect if the applicant studied at a distance learning university, as this is associated with a certain level of personal responsibility, discipline and time management.
However, many personnel managers are also critical of long-distance universities: long-distance universities often suffer from the stigma of making academic degrees too easy. Many companies associate a higher standard with face-to-face universities.
Henry Ely / Editor finanzen.net
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