The average American college student takes their education for granted. Yes, they spend countless hours attending classes, reviewing notes, and studying for exams. Majority of the time they do this with the ending result in mind, which is an A in the class which leads to an amazing GPA, and graduating from an institute of education, with the idea they will receive an amazing job and will be set for life. This is not the way to think while attending an institute of education. Students should hold more focus on learning the material and applying it, so it is stored in their forever kept with them.
Firstly, I personally don’t like to waste my time, if I’m attending a class I want to learn and get lost in the material and fall in love with it. Students today hardly have these thoughts in their mind. They are too busy trying to get the A even if it means taking drugs, cheating, or finding a dishonest way to obtain the grade. These students take their education for granted, many young people around the world are unable to attend school and learn subjects of their interest. Young people in other parts of the world are faced with war, poverty, or uncompromising circumstance that do not allow them to receive a quarter of the educational opportunity Americans do.
The idea of distance learning is something that has been in the midst of development for many years. It has gone through many tests of trial and error. Televised lessons have seemed to be very beneficial and cost effective for the underdeveloped countries. Without internet access many countries rely on the televised lessons. If there isn’t access to the internet or television, they have access to the radio. The radio provides some key information to make them more literate in certain subjects, this isn’t the most efficient way of learning but for some it’s there only option.
Technology has changed things for many people who are not given the opportunity as easily as we are, it has allowed the classroom to come to the seeking scholar no matter how far the geographical gap may seem. The internet provides online classes, such as the courses MIT offers. Not only can one learn but one can receive what is to be considered a grade A education by one of the top schools.
Although studies have shown that it is difficult for many to receive the available information on the internet due to the infrastructure of some countries. People know it’s there, and if they want it bad enough they will obtain whatever knowledge they are looking for. Years ago this would have stayed a dream for many but the simple fact that it can be accessible is enough for the seeking mind that is willing to overcome obstacles. Yes, the poor girl in the village probably doesn’t have the same facets of learning as the upper class girl who lives in the city, but technology in existence is bringing the gap closer together. The information is out there it, but it is up to the person to find it, and it may not be easy but today nothing is impossible due to technology.
An interesting article that argues that the distance learning is not effective can be found here: http://www.irrodl.org/index.php/irrodl/article/viewArticle/477/1012
I mention this article because although it argues the effectiveness of distance learning, I feel that it contains a few key points that highlight the simple fact that the information is there and reachable due to the advances we have today that we didn’t have decades ago. Which makes me happy to know that although us Americans take our education for granted, people who would appreciate a learning experience have the opportunity to seek and obtain.
