Online V/S Distance Learning: Differences & Advantages

Digital advancements have completely transformed our industry including the education sector. The two names that you must have been constantly hearing in this education era are online learning & distance learning. Both of them are easy alternatives to traditional classroom-based education & have been a blessing to millions of masses who could not attend regular college due to time constraints, high fees, or any other commitments. 

However, there are some differences between online & distance learning like mode of delivery, exam format, interaction mode, & many others which we are going to cover in this article. So, if you are planning to enroll in any of the two learning formats, this is going to be a perfect read for you!

What is Distance Learning?

Distance Learning is not new in the market, it has been there in the name of “Correspondence Education.” It is also referred to as Open and Distance Learning Mode (ODL) which is offered by many government universities like IGNOU, DU SOL, etc. 

In this mode, students are encouraged to self-paced learning as they are not required to attend regular classes. All the study materials, course books & reference materials, are delivered to the students via courier services. To make the students interact with teachers for doubt resolution, weekend or evening classes are also offered in distance education mode.

Universities offering distance education courses have set up regional centers in different areas to reach out to their students. All the projects, assignments, or any other internal assessment task can be submitted by the students through these regional centers. 

What is Online Learning?

Online Learning, as the name suggests is an entirely online format of learning which does not include any physical interaction. This mode of learning is quite new & became incredibly popular during the COVID-19 pandemic. Online learning is seeking everyone’s attention by fulfilling the academic needs of students & working professionals without even a single college visit.

With the full support of professors & mentors, this mode of learning is highly appreciated by all categories of learners, i.e., 12th pass-outs, graduates, & working professionals. The 24*7 accessible online study material from any location is one of the major contributors to the successful adaption of this mode of learning.

To make quality education reach every corner of India, top universities & institutions have also introduced online courses at affordable prices. Moreover, the conduction of virtual workshops, webinars, and placement drives in the online mode of education gives you industry exposure that you need to have for a bright career.

Advantages of Online & Distance Learning

Both distance and online education modes have several advantages over the traditional mode of learning. One of the most useful benefits of these flexible modes is that both of them are considered equivalent to a regular degree as per the UGC guidelines. Apart from this, a few distinct points for each of them are listed in the sections below.

Advantages of Distance Learning

• In distance learning, you can continue your job or other commitments without any disturbance. 
• The weekend or evening schedule of classes provides you with moderate flexibility to balance your work & studies. 
• The physical interaction with professors helps you clear your doubts without letting you miss the classroom-based experience.
• The books & other study materials help you study at your own pace while serving any domain of the industry.
• The low course fee encourages more aspirants to apply to their preferred distance education programs.
• Government approvals of distance education programs provide a promising career to its learners.
• Nearby regional centers provide technical & academic guidance to students without making them visit the university.

Advantages of Online Learning

• The topmost point in the benefits of online learning is the completely online format starting from registration to results.
• Online classes delivered by highly qualified faculty members help you gain in-depth knowledge of the subjects.
• An integrated Learning Management System (LMS) with unlimited access to academic resources enhances your subject understanding.
• The use of advanced AI tools improves the teaching-learning experiences greatly.
• AI-proctored examinations ensure a fair evaluation practice for all.
• Industry exposure via webinars & virtual workshops prepares you in all possible ways for the corporate world.
• Affordable fee structure for top trending courses in the online mode makes you build your career in your preferred domain with essential professional training.
• Government approval of online courses gets you recognition in the industry similar to that of the regular ones.

Major Differences Between Online and Distance Learning

There are some key differences between the distance & online modes of education. Here is a detailed discussion of the same.

• Mode of Learning

In online learning, you get to attend online classes while in the distance mode, you will need to attend physical classes either at weekends or in the evening. The e-books & recorded lectures make you go with digitized learning in the online mode. On the other hand, books will be delivered to your doorstep in distance education mode.

• Physical Interaction Level

Online learning involves zero physical interaction but a high level of digital interaction with peers, faculty members, alumni, and industry experts. In distance learning, there is limited physical interaction involved via weekend lectures.

• Intention of Learning Mode

The online learning method is a new-age method of learning that incorporates the latest tools & technologies. The enhanced teaching-learning experience of this learning mode has made the lives of many online learners easier. Distance learning still follows old classroom & books-based learning in a flexible format. 

• Networking Opportunities

Online learning offers high networking opportunities by connecting you with a global network of industry experts & mentors. Their experience & guidance help you gain industry insights at an International level to make a grand entry into the business world. In distance learning, no networking opportunity is provided by the university, so, the industry connections are all based on your skills & personal terms.

Drawbacks of Online & Distance Learning

Even though the popularity of online & distance learning is rising at a fast pace still there are some cons associated with these programs. A few are addressed here to make you aware of them to avoid any kinds of regrets after enrolling in these flexible education modes.

• Lack of Technology: Be it distance or online learning, learners of these programs need to have a laptop & internet connection for a smooth education journey. These are quite basic things considering the urban lifestyle but when it comes to rural areas, technological needs are still a matter of concern.
• Increased Screen Time: Enrolling in an online or distance education program makes you spend more time with your laptops & mobiles for various academic research & learning. This increased screen time increases your health issues in one way or the other. So, the best way to avoid it is to plan your study hours.
• Lack of Track on Student Activities: This con is actually for teachers as with digital or hybrid learning, they lose track of the student’s activities & do not have any idea about their seriousness to study. In the case of online learning, one additional drawback is that students often use certain AI tools for assignments, projects, or even exams that are not detectable by the university’s technical staff.

Which One is Better: Distance Learning or Online Learning?

Both distance & online learning modes have their advantages & drawbacks. Choosing the best of these two is based on one’s specific needs & conditions. A comparison between distance & online learning is tabulated below to help you understand the major differences between the two in a more crisp manner.

S.No.	Distance Learning	Online Learning
1.	Moderate level of flexibility	High-level of flexibility
2.	On-campus or online admission process	Only online admission process
3.	Fixed class schedule (weekend/evening classes)	Flexible online classes, if missed, access to recorded lectures
4.	Limited physical interaction with faculty members	High digital interaction with experts, professors, & mentors
5.	A university/regional center visit is required for exams, assignments, & project submissions	Exams, assignments, & project submissions are done via the LMS portal of the university
6.	Study materials or books are delivered to the university via courier	Digital academic resources are available 24*7 at the LMS
7.	Often information is not conveyed properly & on time to learners	Exact & on-time information is available on the official university website & LMS
8.	Geographical restrictions are there	No geographical restriction
9.	Physical exam mode is followed	AI-proctored exams are conducted
10.	Offers limited work-life balance	Excellent level of work-life balance

Top Universities Offering Online & Distance Learning Programs

There is a variety of universities in India that offer either both, online & distance learning courses or any one of them. Here is a list of some popular universities & the availability of flexible courses at them.

Universities	Online Learning Programs	Distance Learning Programs
Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)	Yes	Yes
Delhi University School Of Open Learning (DU SOL)	Yes	Yes
Jain University	Yes	No
Amity University	Yes	Yes
Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham	Yes	No
OP Jindal Global University	Yes	No
Manipal University	Yes	Yes
Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning (SCDL)	No	Yes
Symbiosis School for Online and Digital Learning (SSODL)	Yes	No
Lovely Professional University	Yes	Yes
Chandigarh University	Yes	Yes

Conclusion

Online & distance learning modes are introduced to fulfill the needs of quality education for all. Here “all” covers the range of students who did not get to attend the regular college & professionals who want to pursue their jobs while learning. Both of them offer huge advantages & have their drawbacks. So, choose the best fit for you after considering your personalized needs. Dive into the world of digital learning by getting a 360-degree knowledge of it from your expert, College Vidya!