Why and how to follow a distance learning course?

Distance learning is possible thanks to the numerous digital resources available on the web. Distance learning courses, provided by various schools and training organisations, make it possible to study many areas of education. What is distance learning? What are its advantages? How to choose it? You'll know all about it after reading these few lines.

executive education

What is distance learning?

Understanding what distance learning is all about is important.  It is mainly online, open or distance learning. DDT is an alternative to face-to-face executive education. Distance learning can be synchronous (with fixed lesson times and the presence of a speaker behind the screen in real time) or asynchronous (in which case it is mainly recorded videos, which can therefore be accessed at any time).

Distance learning is created by qualified professionals and may or may not lead to a diploma. Recognised e-learning courses usually allow contact with teachers to ask questions. Online courses can be short or long courses. Not all vocational training courses have the same objectives or duration. Qualifying courses or degree courses usually require several months of study, whereas some courses are only a few hours to update your knowledge.

What are the advantages of distance learning?

Distance learning has many advantages. It is particularly suitable for adults who are unable, due to professional or personal constraints, to return to traditional studies or to follow face-to-face training. Training from home allows you to benefit from greater flexibility in terms of timetables, to organise yourself as you wish and to progress at your own pace. In these times of confinement, distance learning also offers an alternative to physical training, which is difficult to achieve. It ensures the protection of learners, avoids travel and limits the physical contact that takes place in the classroom. As a result, it is compatible with a busy professional schedule. Distance learning also makes it possible to follow a training course regardless of our geographical location: accessible anywhere in the world, online training courses are highly appreciated by expatriates or people who cannot travel to a training centre. Moreover, distance learning is often less expensive than face-to-face training.

short or long courses

Finally, it is possible to prepare many diplomas by distance learning. These are identical to face-to-face qualifications and are equally recognised by employers. Degrees can go as far as postgraduate degrees such as the master's degree.

Why distance learning?

There are many good reasons for distance learning:

• To retrain: it is not easy to change jobs, especially when you are on the job and you cannot go back to school full time. Distance learning can be a real springboard for moving into a new profession. Depending on the training chosen, it is possible to prepare for national exams, private exams or civil service administrative exams. It is therefore ideal if you wish to retrain for a new job.
• To obtain a recognised diploma: it is sometimes necessary to take a new diploma to qualify for a higher position or to add value to one's CV. In this case, training periods are often imposed, as at school with a fixed timetable, with the added flexibility of timetables. Learners have to take their exams according to a well-defined timetable.
• To update skills: updating one's knowledge or refreshing one's skills is essential in the constantly changing world of work. Distance learning offers the possibility of acquiring new skills (IT tools, foreign languages, etc.) to enable workers to obtain new skills and remain competitive on the labour market.

How to choose distance learning?

We advise you to check that an online training course corresponds to your objectives and your professional project before committing to a training course. To do this, find out as much as possible about the training organisation in question (certifications, recognition, success rates of participants, testimonials from former learners, etc.).

Also make sure you meet the prerequisites required to follow your training course. Some training centres require a Bac or BTS level, while others are accessible without a diploma. Pay attention to the teaching method: the organisation of the various training modules, the possibility of being corrected by the trainers and the possibility of meeting them by videoconference is a guarantee of success in obtaining your diploma.

The training centre must also have a good balance between theory and practice. Finally, assess the cost and potential funding possibilities of the training courses. Some distance learning courses are very expensive, but can be funded by your employer or various funding agencies, whether you are an employee or a job seeker.

You now know all about distance learning. Keep one thing in mind: distance learning and e-learning courses are not for everyone. They require a great deal of rigour and autonomy, even if they allow you to organise yourself as you wish. These qualities are essential if you want to keep up the pace and make your training a success.