Doctor Paul Dudley is the Vice Dean and the Associate Professor at Magna Carta College, Oxford’s independent business school. In a recent interview, Doctor Paul Dudley talks about distance learning and its importance in the globalizing world.

Distance learning has become a very popular mode of learning for many students. This popularity of distance learning has come about due to a few factors contributing to it that are as followed:

• Increased improvements in IT and communication, e.g. Wi-Fi
• There is a change in the lifestyle of people
• Many people are tackling multiple jobs
• Have the aspiration for achieving their goals in life

Online learning provides every individual with the opportunity to reach their goals and targets with the flexibility it offers to accommodate studying along with other commitments. For many students, the key issue when it comes to their education is the lack of flexibility the traditional method of studying offers. This lack of flexibility makes it difficult for people to continue with their jobs or their family obligations along with their studies. Online learning provides a solution to these individuals.

Online Learning Vs Campus Based Learning

Further, Doctor Paul Dudley talks about how online learning and campus based learning should not be considered as direct competitions of one another rather complimentary to each other as they serve different purposes:

• Online learning allows for flexibility for students to be able to learn at different times during the week or whatever times suits them best.
• Campus based learning is best suited for students who require a more structured approach to their studies through the traditional method of studying for teachers within the four walls of a classroom.

Key benefits of online learning

He then discusses the key benefits of online learning. Online learning leaves room for students all around to network with other students. With the facility of live tutorials available, they are able to interact with peers and tutors and become part of a global network. According to Doctor Paul Dudley, one of the most beneficial aspect of online learning is to become a part of the global network.

Moreover, many online courses enable for a campus based element to be introduced in their online study as well. Thus, students can either continue their path of online learning the same way with the help of discussion forums, chat facilities and online tutorials or opt for a residential course and study their respective field of choice in the campus.

Is distance learning right for you?

One issue that Doctor Paul Dudley observed with online study is how it leaves room for isolation for the student and separates him from the rest of the world. However, with the help weekly discussion forums, live tutorials and the interaction with other students online this can resolve the issue of isolation.

To summarize his interview on flexible distributed learning, he asks the student’s one simple question; is distance learning the right choice.

To answer this question and know whether distance learning is the path for you, you need to ask yourself several other questions;

• Will it help you in your career?
• Interested in developing knowledge and skills?
• Are you motivated enough?

In conclusion, with the flexibility that online learning offers, it can help build your career. With facilities like online tutors and other discussion forums, online learning allows students to learn at their own pace and their own flexibility without having to compromise on other commitments.

Magna Carta College offers its courses through the flexible distributed learning allowing students all across the globe to be able to study with ease and flexibility.