distance learning courses | Distance Learning Systems (DLSI)

Distance Learning Systems™ Announces the Use of McGraw Hill Connect®

Distance Learning Systems™ expands online offerings with 16 new courses powered by McGraw Hill’s Connect® platform to improve the online student’s overall learning experience while enhancing instructor course management and strengthening the company’s online education product.

Distance Learning Systems™ is excited to announce the launch of new course offerings made available through a partnership with McGraw Hill and powered by McGraw Hill’s Connect and ALEKS digital learning platforms. Distance Learning Systems™ joins the 5,000 plus higher education institutions and 13,000 K-12 school districts that utilize McGraw Hill Connect and ALEKS across all 50 states. Distance Learning Systems™ courses with McGraw Hill integration deliver an adaptive, personalized learning experience that is efficient, effective, and customized to each student’s needs.

McGraw Hill Connect is a complete course platform that offers state-of-the-art features for students:

Stay engaged! Innovative learning experiences engage adult learners through multimedia resources, such as videos, simulations, and interactive exercises, to enhance understanding and retention of course material.
Learn faster! Instant feedback on assignments and assessments. Adult learners receive immediate insights into their performance, allowing them to identify areas of strength and weakness and make necessary adjustments to their study strategies.
Save time! Students can move at their own pace through eight content modules plus a final exam. Students can finish a course in half the time of a traditional class!
Use what you know! SmartBook®, embedded within Connect, offers an adaptive reading experience that allows students to move between reading, non-graded questions, and chunks of content to cater their experience to the concepts they need to learn.
Save money! Virtual Labs in the Connect platform allow lab courses to function completely online with no lab kit required, saving students money.

Distance Learning Systems™ is also proud to announce the use of McGraw Hill ALEKS for College Mathematics and College Algebra courses. ALEKS is an artificial intelligence-powered learning platform for math and chemistry courses that provides personalized, equitable support for learners. Constantly adapting to each student’s knowledge state, ALEKS guides students through learning in a seamless path while providing detailed data and feedback.

Beginning in September 2023, Distance Learning will offer 16 courses through McGraw Hill Connect and two courses through McGraw Hill ALEKS. Over the next year, the online education provider will be working to get 16 additional courses on McGraw Hill Connect and ALEKS.

About Distance Learning Systems™

Distance Learning Systems™ was founded in 1999. It originally focused on educational publishing, specializing in preparing individuals to pass nationally standardized proficiency exams. In 2007 the company expanded to an online learning platform to provide innovative, customized educational solutions and programs.

Distance Learning Systems™ (DLSII™) currently serves over 10,000 students nationwide with customizable, structured, instructor–led online classes. Students will rapidly complete multiple courses for college credit recognized by the American Council on Education’s College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT®). An additional 2,000 U.S. institutions of higher learning also recognize and accept ACE CREDIT®.

Distance Learning Systems™ has helped over 20,000 individuals pursue higher education degrees across the United States. It is recognized as one of the country’s leading providers of online learning. The organization offers customized educational solutions and courses that provide transferable college credits to thousands of U.S. and international institutions.

Distance Learning Systems™ also offers online professional certificate courses for career skills training and advancement.

Written By: Dave Christy

Advantages of Distance Learning

Distance learning has had its increase every year. Many students are going into it for convenience and attainability. It is so convenient that working students can have their education during breaks, or anything in-between. They don’t have to report to a conventional classroom anymore.

Education has come a long way. No longer is the idea of a classroom the only place to learn everything. In fact, you can have your education without even seeing a classroom in your life. That’s the uniqueness of distance learning.

And there are a lot of advantages to it. Let us take a closer look.

Easy Access
This is the reason why many students are availing of it. It is accessible, easy to handle. Because contemporary life is so busy, and at times you have to do two things at the same time, people are striving for that easy access on things, including of course, education.

No Time Wasted
The concept of working at the same time as studying is unusual, but it saves a lot of time. You feel a sense of accomplishment when doing so many things aside from work concerns. You also have the opportunity to finish a degree while doing your day job.

Smooth Schedule
You can study anywhere you want. As long as you have a good internet connection, then you can study, research and even discuss subjects online without actually being there with your instructor.

At Your Own Pace
Education has never been this easy. Studying at your own rhythm can only bring about a more concentrated education in the process. It is quite pressure-free, and deadlines are almost always non-existent.

Time Away From Academics
You can spend more time doing other things, like nurturing a hobby or time away with your family. Who knows, your family might help you with your assignments.

Difficulties in the Success of Distance Learning Systems

The widespread of the internet has created various distance learning systems that came up with excellent educational outcomes. This new learning system, though advantageous, has several challenges to overcome.

Over the past several decades, different hurdles have left distance learning systems inferior to its equivalent – face-to-face learning. Some of these challenges include the difficulty to change presentations to suit audience, inability to control teaching progress, and lack of learning styles. But the biggest one is the “keeping up” pace of communication.

One of the most important aspect of an effective learning process is the need to have a two-way (teacher and student) communication. Ever since e-learning began, a big issue has been thrown upon teachers and students. Each one cannot effectively ask or answer questions, frustrations, and comments.

A secondary issue in distance learning system is the absence of student to student interaction. In a traditional classroom setting, students are grouped with other students to share and contradict ideas. Subjects such as philosophy, language, and debate require a peer-to-peer communication for effective learning. With the lack of this kind of interaction, distance learning may just be defined as a mere transfer of information, without the true learning experience.

Today, these challenges still exist both in distance learning systems and in a classroom setting where there is a large crowd of students and a single lecturer. However, with the rapid acceleration of modes of communication in the distance learning programs, a large portion of these hindrances have been overcome. Real-time video classes for instance, a small group of students can benefit through chatting, online libraries, practice modules, and a feedback system that provides rapid response to teachers and co-students as well.

Most of these challenges may have been solved, but it is still existing. However, we all agree that these challenges are continuously being addressed effectively.

Determining an Excellent Online Class

There are plenty of low-quality, low-learning, uninteresting online classes on the market. However, you can also find a few impressive online courses that indulge students that help them learn in ways that aren’t always achievable in a traditional educational setting. The majority of top-notch classes online have a tendency to share some characteristics in common:

Natural Learning Content

Reading through plain textbook and giving answers to fill-in-the-blank questions isn’t an all natural method to study, and excellent online classes steer clear of such formulaic elements. Rather, they try to interact with students through content material that is a healthy fit for studying the topic.

Student-Friendly Pacing

Excellent online classrooms pace the assignments so that learners are not bored or bombarded on any given week. These classes are specifically made to ensure that sufficient time is allocated for focusing on main projects understanding that minor assignments continue to keep students involved in the meantime.

Communal feeling

The very best online classes are produced with a sense of community. Students are welcomed into the course and you can communicate with the teacher as well as your peers inside a friendly atmosphere. You will find a number of ways that a community can be produced in online classes. Some include off-subject community forums where students discuss from last week’s football game or their favorite quality recipes. Others encourage students to publish real pictures for his or her avatar or require students to accomplish group projects. Connections help students feel at ease taking risks and requesting help.

Wise Utilization of Multimedia

Nobody wants to scroll through hundreds of pages of text documents. A good online classroom enhances learning by including videos, interactive activities, and podcasts, along with other multimedia elements. To create multimedia tools, the components should always possess a solid purpose and should be completed in an expert way.

The Distance Learning Fees

Tuition and fees for classes online in many cases are evaluated about the same framework as tuition and fees for conventional classes. Nevertheless, some variations really exist between in-state and out-of-state college tuition, price limits at full-time student status and student fees for online classes.

Educational institutions usually charge a set fee of tuition per credit hour for on-campus classes that a college student is registered. Costs per credit continue to keep accrue until students reach what the college considers full-time status. At this time, extra credits do not accrue more costs until students reach an overtime status, after which some colleges add additional per-credit or tuition charges.

Public and state schools add an additional variable into the formula with two distinct tuition rates based on whether a student is a citizen of the college’s home state or otherwise not. Tuition for in-state students is generally lower than tuition for out-of-state students.

On top of these tuition charges, the majority of colleges add student fees, which offer for computer systems and machinery charges, student athletic teams, exercises, student lifestyle services, wellness center fees along with other similar costs.

There are many variations in how colleges manage tuition and costs for distance learning classes. Some schools treat distance-learning classes just like other classes, charging you an in-state or out-of-state rate per credit at a price cap that starts once a student takes sufficient credits that need considering full time.

Alternatively, colleges may not acknowledge a full-time status for distance learning classes, meaning the costs per credit are identical for a student taking one course. The benefit to this circumstance for distance learners is that they may take less than a full-time course load without experiencing all the extra costs that will include additional years on-campus.

Several public schools charge all online college students the in-state rate or the out-of-state rate irrespective of their state of residence, so possible distance students ought to research schools thoroughly. In many colleges, the real difference in cost in between distance learning and traditional classes is the fees charged aside from tuition. Distance learners may need to pay a technology fee, however they could save significant amounts of money on room and board or on traveling expenses.

Student Driven Distance Learning Systems

With video conferencing, dual stream capture and cloud-based technological innovation, some schools are establishing the convention for college distance learning systems. The University of Maryland has been using distance technological innovation for over 25 years and nowadays uses a system that contains six studio room classes equipped with high-definition cameras, video conferencing, LCD displays, annotators that allows teachers to write over shown pictures and cloud-based lecture capture and web-casting alternatives.

The idea behind these technological innovation is old, but the devices itself is new and is located in the remodeled Arnold E. Seigel Learning Center, which is associated with the university’s School of Engineering. Every engineering class is streaming live and recorded for later on-demand watching. The live documenting of lessons is what places the University of Maryland’s online studying system apart from others. “It’s not like someone comes in and is documenting some extremely produced lecture for a topic. They’re educating a class so as a university student at a distance, you’re getting the identical education and learning as you would if you were here on campus,” says Marty Ronning, assistant director of Distance Education and Technology Services at the University of Maryland.

This type of system “is becoming more of a de-facto convention for distance learning systems and college,” says Scott Morgan, senior account administrator for Western Chester, Pa.-based Advanced AV. Morgan wasn’t engaged in the UMD venture but does a lot of identical set ups in the mid-Atlantic area. The design of the remodeled studying center is designed to make the best academic chance of the university’s learners. Each studio class room has a Polycom video conferencing system and four LCD displays by NEC. They also have Sony models HD cameras, a Panasonic A/V switcher, an Extron annotator and Mediasite by Sound Foundry as a web-casting and lecture capture system. The dual streams help to make as close to an on-campus atmosphere as possible for the school’s off-campus members, says Ronning.

Avoiding Common Distance Education Mistakes

An on the internet course may look like a doddle at first glance: you can work at your own speed, only study what you need to, and hand in projects when you prefer (although, still within deadlines). However, it can be difficult, especially if you have never used distance education before. If you are too informal with your effective time control and planning, it’s simple to lag behind and possibly not even complete your program. Here are three typical errors individuals make, and some guidelines to help you keep on track.

1) Bad choices – When it comes to on the internet, sometimes the most affordable and simplest course suppliers are not actually the best. They can even be a significant pitfall! Look out for so-called ‘diploma mills’ that provide “hassle-free” degrees that are not worth the document they are printed on. Before searching for any distance education program, do a little research and ensure that the organization is above board and reliable.

2) Procrastination – This is probably the single greatest problem with distance education. If you are a procrastinator by nature, you need to nip it in the bud, fast! Otherwise you will never graduate, as distance education requires good effective time control and a lot of self-discipline. You must set clear objectives, and adhere to them. It allows setting your own work deadlines too. It’s, therefore, better to work according to small, more controllable work deadlines, such as per month, every week, or even everyday objectives. That way you can accomplish your objectives on a stable and constant basis.

3) Not using additional resources – Many distance education programs provide free access on various web sources and research components. It’s usually not a precondition to look at these materials; so many individuals usually miss them. This is a big error, as these sources are intended to complement your abilities and information. It’s often simple to neglect these components and just do the lowest amount, but if you do this, you are only harming yourself. In order to get the most out of your course, you need to make use of this useful, readily available information.

Doing a distance education is practical, as you do not need to be present at actual physical sessions. However, distance education needs to be treated the same way as a conventional academic setting, especially when it comes to effective time control, self-discipline, being practical, and making sure that your preferred course is the right one. By preventing these typical errors, you can remain targeted, complete your major, and accomplish your academic objectives.

Distance Learning History

Despite research to the contrary, many people, teachers often included, continue to claim that no person of perceptive benefit ever discovered anything of worth in the history of distance learning. This is my reaction to that foolish prejudicial notice that it requires a lecture area and a bell tower to make a university. Studying occurs within your head, not within an educational setting. This helps describe why graduate students of distance learning and communication degree programs have, for more than a century, gone on to win Nobel awards, found business empires and write literary works worth international popularity. One need only look into the record of distance learning to locate several big-name graduates. So, here’s a look at how distance learning evolved during the years.

1840 – Isaac Pitman teaches shorthand by correspondence in the UK.
1858 – The University of London creates External Program.
1883 – New York State authorizes the Chautauqua Institute to award degrees earned via correspondence.
1891 – The Colliery Engineer School of Mines renames itself International Correspondence Schools.
1892 – The University of Chicago starts administering the first university courses by mail.
1906 – The Calvert School of Baltimore becomes the first primary school in the United States to offer correspondence courses.
1916 – The National University Continuing Education Association is created in the United States.
1921 – Pennsylvania State College begins broadcasting courses on the radio.
1933 – The University of Iowa begins broadcasting courses on television.
1950 – The Ford Foundation begins offering grants to create and develop educational programs for television broadcasting.
1967 – The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is created.
1970 – Walden University is established.
1974 – California State University offers a Masters degree via correspondence.
1982 – The National University Teleconferencing Network is established.
1984 – The personal computer is named “man of the year” by Time Magazine.

Distance Education and the Future of Education

On the internet or distance education— the training and studying of learners not physically present in the traditional educational setting — is growing in recent times and provides perhaps the greatest chance — and challenge — in the history of education. The current problems in college funding, both in the U.S. and overseas, in addition to important technology developments and the demand for more college degrees across all areas of society, have placed distance education in the center of every college conversation. Students and parents, schools, government authorities and management bodies, and many other constituencies have an important interest in a number of critical issues including distance education.

Virtually every large school and many other universities already provide some type of online education and studying opportunity. Some, specifically online providers have been around for decades. Some colleges are experimenting with combined ventures to provide no cost web based programs, such as Harvard and MIT through their partnership edX. Closer To Home, U.Va. has declared its decision to offer no cost web based programs through Coursera, a for-profit company whose other education and learning partners include Cal Tech, Duke, Georgia Tech, Johns-Hopkins, Michigan, Princeton, Stanford and Penn, as well as several leading universities abroad. The commitment of resources both individually and collectively by these top-tier colleges underscores the integral role of distance learning in college.

Regardless of the many hurdles and difficulties, distance education is, and will continue to be, a fundamental element of education. It provides much greater access to college credit and will considerably increase the number of degrees finished while reducing the cost of those degrees. Learners must exercise warning, however, while colleges need to look at common requirements and government and management organizations need to play their part. It is our future to band together.

Distance Education for Everyone

Information Technology has totally changed almost every industry on the globe. We can order food, shop for goods and solutions, see the natural and synthetic amazing things around the globe, get flight bookings, read guides, play games, communicate with our family members and do outstanding projects just at the click of a mouse button. The same goes for the academic industry as more and more organizations are providing solutions on the internet. It is indeed beneficial for both learners and schools to make the highest possible use of technology as they present new facilitation day by day.

The primary benefit is the extended access, as many on the internet schools have global presence. Any individual can join an excellent school and get knowledgeable as a local person would get. Some colleges in the US only offer solutions to the US people, but then again since it is a vast country, learners from New England may be registered in an organization located in the western shore. However, many colleges have programs for foreign learners. In the same way the working class can take the highest possible benefits from distance education as they find it hard to attend sessions with their active tasks.

With the improving international inhabitants, almost all the colleges are experiencing potential restrictions. Distance education has again performed a significant part in solving this issue, as the learners do not need to be actually present in the actual classroom. This fact has also motivated many worthy learners to apply for the top colleges as they are now able to admit more learners without counting on physical facilities. The most important participation of distance education is for the impaired and incapable individuals who find it very difficult to go to the schools. Meanwhile, those who have poor defense mechanisms are vulnerable to capture illnesses from the other individuals they come in contact with. These individuals can benefit from distance education as they can stay at their houses and ensure their health. Distance education is truly for everyone.