Studying Engineering Online Or Distance Education Is It Worth?

Distance or online education is fast picking up popularity because of the flexibility it allows to students. With the increasing power of internet and advancement of technology, the ways of learning and the mode of education too have drastically changed. Although distance education has some advantages, there are some issues too and one needs to take a careful look at them before committing to it.

What is distance education?

In distance education or online education, the student doesn’t need to attend college in person. Instead the student takes lessons online through recorded classes, CDs of lectures and one on one session with professors at regular intervals online.  The student only needs to finish the coursework in due time and attend the examinations to get the degree or certification.

Advantages of studying engineering online

There are quite a few advantages of studying engineering online. A student only needs a computer with high speed broadband connection and a web camera to go ahead with his or her classes. The first advantage is that one doesn’t have to leave home. However good the facilities at college might be, a student often feels the most comfortable and taken care of at home. With most of the other issues including type of food available, comfortable settings that suit him or her etc, students will find it easier to concentrate on studies.

The biggest benefit of course is flexibility. If you are the only child and have to take care of one or both of your parents, you have limited choices. Online education is a very good option if you want to pursue studies along with working to earn money, so you can take care of the present and plan for the future as well. Even if your financial requirements are fulfilled, you may need to stay back at home and care for your parents if they are not well and there isn’t anyone else to look after them. In such situations, distance education is a ray of hope.

Disadvantages of Studying engineering online

Engineering is not something that can entirely be understood from books. You need to attend lectures which are interactive and knowledge transfer happens only through interaction. Distance education provides an opportunity to interact with faculty but the time is very limited. Often the time you get might not be sufficient to understand the difficult concepts that you are bound to come across in engineering. Most importantly, it becomes very hard even on the part of the faculty to explain fundamental theorems, models and examples online through a web camera. Engineering also includes many practical sessions where students research about various concepts, conduct experiments and field study. You cannot undergo these practical sessions online. This can prove to be a big drawback. A student needs to be extremely hard working and pro active to make up for all the gaps created by distance education. This can prove to be very taxing for a person who opts to complete their engineering degree online.

Category: Career Guide