Online learning is indeed all it is made out to be, as the many graduates from online colleges will attest to. The tools used to give this form of education its extra edge are numerous, ranging from computers to PDAs and occasionally more sophisticated technologies. Of those, virtual learning environments most resemble a classroom.

When the teacher and students don’t communicate face to face, it becomes harder to keep track of each student’s progress. In addition to that, in online learning education there is no limit as to how many students can attend one class at a time, and a teacher is often faced with hundreds of exam papers. Virtual learning environments are software systems that help in management and course administration and enables both teachers and students to keep track of their progress through the click of a button.

These systems run on servers and can look like internet pages, making them easy to access and navigate. Within the system you will find forums, discussion groups, online chat rooms, templates for content pages, as well as assignments and quizzes that can be downloaded or answered on the pages themselves.

The way this system operates is simple in theory. Teachers will fill in the existing templates and release them so the students can use them. The released pages are usually course material, quizzes or assignments. If the document needs to be resubmitted with modifications, the teacher can set up a submission form through which students can upload the required documents.

None of this needs any knowledge of computer languages, which is part of what makes this system so desirable. All one needs is a basic knowledge of how to operate computers, which is not such a rarity in this day and age, when the Internet motivates nearly everyone to learn how to use computers, if only for the sake of communicating with friends and loved ones in other parts of the world.

Universities that offer online lessons have started to incorporate virtual environments in their systems for numerous reasons. It economizes the time of the teaching staff and reduces confusion and clutter that may result otherwise. Students are comfortable with the system as well and can go there for information rather than getting frustrated over fruitless searches.

Overall, the advantages of online learning education are numerous, and the disadvantages little to none. And since the field of computer software is always in development, whatever disadvantages there may be will, eventually, be erased completely.

Before highlighting upon the nuances of distance education in Indian context, it is imperative to clearly understand the concept. Distance education, unlike the classroom learning system, enables the learning process between the educator and learners, while they are not physically present at a common venue. Communication happens over various channels including print, electronic, real time technology and more. In the present scenario, the advent of technology in this domain is rampantly increasing.

Pros and cons of distance learning with specific reference to the Indian education scenario:

The invisible bridge: Distance education is an evolving field with obvious merits. For those who for any reason cannot make it to the classrooms, distance learning is the perfect answer. It simply connects the two ends of education rope and thus simplifies the learning process.

Efficient system: Distance learning does not mandates physical attendance and thus saves on commuting and miscellaneous time heads. It is an efficient learning schema, which maximises output in minimal time.

Apt for professionals: Distance education is especially convenient for working professionals, who cannot spare 2-3 years for pursuing full time higher education courses.

Host of options: Distance learning offers education curriculum over a host of learning streams to include higher education. Even the most reputed of education programs like IIT are soon to be added to the already extensive list.

Quality Concerns: Distance learning is a definite education enhancer, especially for geographies like India, where students from remote areas are unable to learn and thus grow. However, with lesser restrictions and almost negligible practical guidance, the quality aspects of the curriculum are highly questionable. The situation further worsens in developing nations like India, where even in classroom learning mode, the education quality is often compromised.

Infrastructural mismatch: Distance education has been a wonderful model in developed parts of the globe, where the most superior technology enabled tools disseminate the course nitty-gritty. However in India, even the basic online access is not available to majority. The mismatch would be explicitly apparent, if compared with aptly progressed nations, where distance learning is synonymous to online learning.

Lack of information: Distance education in India is still in nascent stages and as a growing concept, it is not perhaps being adequately nurtured. Aspirants are still not clear on the procedure and the communication channels are too loosely knitted. In such circumstances, the adequacy of the concept is gravely skeptical.ion System

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