With the growth in demand for education in both academic and industrial structures, there is also demand for flexibility to integrate continuous learning in day-to-day life. This demand has resulted in implementing new learning and teaching techniques like distance learning.

Unlike early days when distance learning was sending study materials via posts and taking exams at remote locations, modern technologies and audiovisual systems have contributed to the evolution of distance learning. Distance learning does not restrict the audience to be physically present in a class or at the same location as the tutor or instructor. Allowing flexibility in learning methods, materials, schedules, and physical location, distance learning provides an extraordinary learning opportunity for learners. One can set its own pace with studies and can get a degree or a certification from anywhere in the world without disturbing personal or professional life.

Distance learning trains the students in self-learning mechanisms and also provides them an opportunity to effectively utilize a range of tools and technology to improve their learning experience. This also reduces the cost associated with on-campuses education and reaches those that would be unreachable by any other means.

Like all learning models, distance learning does pose some challenges for learners, which they must adapt to in order to be successful.

Lack of Support

With no physical presence of instructor during distance or online learning, students may not ask for guidance or support during times they need it. They may have to wait for the next online class or send an email or use other communication channels for immediate support.

Lack of Accountability

For students or professionals who got used to having rigid schedules, the freedom of a self-imposed schedule can lead to procrastination and lack of motivation. Therefore, it is required for distance learners to stay focused, disciplined, and motivated in order to complete a distance learning program.

Lack of Individual Attention

Lack of interaction with students and instructors is considered the biggest disadvantage of distance learning. It can make some students feel isolated and also hard for instructors and trainers to express long and complex content to the audience. Nevertheless, there are many courses that combine distance learning with classroom teaching to give the classroom ambiance from time to time.

Time Management and Workload

It's challenging for instructors and other professionals to efficiently manage the time and workload of preparing for online classes. Other than reading a considerable amount of material to provide effective feedback to each student, the instructors also facilitate online discussion boards to promote participation and teamwork. Also, the queries from students appearing throughout the day make it difficult for teachers to delegate time for each student and task.

Technological Challenges

Technology advancements have made distance learning a better option for distance learners to interact with each other and the instructor through audio, video, and text. In order to have a seamless distance learning experience, it is important to have a reliable internet connection and readily available device. For effective distance learning, the availability of all the required technology and tools is essential to enable the learners to navigate and use them at their disposal.

Despite the need for improvement, distance learning is becoming the educational model of the future. With the cost, coordination and training required for a program, it has the potential to deliver an education to and from anywhere in the world.