Top 10 Disadvantages of Distance Learning

The appeal of distance learning is definitely there, since most people consider themselves to be far too busy for standard classes. Being able to take your classes when you're ready for them, without having to sit in a specific classroom at any specific university is a great convenience, but there are several difficulties that go along with the process. For all the greatness of being able to work on your degree at your own schedule, there are these top 10 disadvantages of distance learning. However, one of the advantages students have today is access to online resources and professional assistance like Writepaper, which can provide expert guidance and support in navigating these challenges.

1. Difficulty Staying Motivated

For many people, not having a classroom and set classroom times can make it difficult to remember to check in, or even to want to check in. It's important for you to have all the motivation necessary within yourself to look at the website, complete the assignments and get them in on time, even though everything is still required to be completed on a timely basis, just like with a more traditional classroom atmosphere. For those who don't have the self-motivation these classes can result in spending a lot of money on retaking classes because you’ve forgotten an assignment. In this case a lot of students can address online assignment writing services to get help from professional writers.

2. Difficulty Staying in Contact with Instructors

If you ever have trouble with assignments, or questions about a lecture while in a traditional class it's generally quite simple to talk to your instructor before or after class or schedule meetings online at a different time. When you're distance learning, however, you're going to have more difficulty getting in touch with your instructor. Though you can send an email, it's definitely not going to get you the immediate response you'd get if you were able to sit down with your instructor.

3. Difficulty Interacting with Peers

Because there's no classroom and therefore no ability to work on group projects or even converse with fellow students in a face-to-face environment, it's difficult to build relationships of any kind. Not only that, but it's very easy to start to feel isolated from your peers and others because you're working on assignments and all school related activities entirely alone. Even posting to message boards or participating in group discussions can feel less interactive when they're done over the internet rather than in-person.

4. Difficulty Staying Connected at All Times

For those who don't have a reliable source of electricity or don't have reliable internet, it can be difficult to always get to a friend's house, a café, a library or somewhere else where internet access is readily available. And this kind of access is crucial for distance learning. Some programs may even require you to have a DVD or CD player for certain materials or other types of equipment that you have to purchase, find or rent for yourself (not to mention figure out how to use properly). All of this on top of the fact that your computer could quit at any moment, and for no reason or your power could go out for a few days and suddenly you're behind with no way to fix it.

5. Difficulty Getting Immediate Feedback

Feedback can be almost immediate when you're sitting in a classroom with a teacher because they have a few minutes to take a look at your work and decide whether or not you're on the right track. When emailing assignments, however, it can become more difficult to get the feedback you're looking for. You have to wait for the instructor to get a chance to get online, which may not happen as frequently as you would like. By the time you get the feedback you need there could be very little time to make changes as necessary for the assignment.

6. Difficulty Completing all Courses for a Degree

Not every degree allows you to complete all of the components online. For those who want to go into a medical profession, for example, clinical will be required and can't be learned.