Education is considered as a crucial factor for the pace of the social, political and economic advancement of any country, so compelling educating is basic. It has been given the utmost importance since the ancient times when the education ecosystem was not so comprehensive and was just restricted to learning through the physical presence in the regular classes. Earlier, the kind of education provided was customary and conventional in nature. The method of teaching was monotonous, in which the students used to sit down simply and listen to the lesson from the teacher. However, this is not the scenario anymore as the education ecosystem has evolved massively with the help of the technology.
Modern education mainly promotes learning with the utilization of computers and the internet. As a result, online learning has become very popular, which has led to the introduction of distance learning courses in universities. Various universities have introduced distance programs in their curriculum considering the scope of it. However, these distance learning courses provided by the universities are quite different from the full-time courses.
- While pursuing full-time courses, students are mandated to attend classes, and they have to travel from their house to college for classes and attendance. In contrast, distance learning courses allow students to study without even being physically present in class.
- A full-time course a student is bound by the schedule designed by the college or the university and has to adjust himself as per the defined plan. The case is different in the distance learning courses as one can easily set time for taking classes.
- Full-time courses are structured with the substantial amount of fees which becomes tough for many students to afford. Whereas distance learning courses are more cost-efficient in terms of tuition fees and other expenses as well.
The involvement of technology in education has given a new dimension. This involvement has its own pros and cons that are mentioned below –
Pros
- Flexible study
- Saves time and energy
- Tech-friendly Studying
- Cost-effective
- Learn and earn simultaneously
- No geographical boundaries
Cons
- Lack of discipline
- No direct contact with faculty
- Less motivational
- No campus atmosphere
- No social interaction
- Large workload for teachers
There is no denying the fact that both conventional and modern education approach has its own significance and essence in their respective dimensions. But a comparative analysis of both helps a candidate to make a beneficial choice. These advantages and disadvantages will assist the students in getting informed about the importance of both the programs. With the building craze of Distance MBA / PGDM among students, knowing about the relevance and weightage about Online MBA / PGDM in India would help them to utilize their time and money accurately.
However, it must be noted that both offline and online courses are equivalent on the basis of achievement of a degree. But it depends on the circumstances and attitude of the students that which course suits them best. Though with the technological advancement we are witnessing, the scope of online learning is undoubtedly going to redefine the education systems.