Scope and Importance of Distance Education in Modern Learning:

(1)- Scope of Distance Education System:

The scope of distance education is very wide. And because of this scope it is gaining attention all over the world. One of the major reasons for this is that nowadays very few people are able to get proper education. Due to lack of infrastructure in developing countries, inappropriate budgetary measures such as low allocation of funds for education, etc., people are not able to benefit from formal education and turn to distance education. 

The details of which people are benefiting from distance education are given below.

(1) Women

(2) Adult Population

(3) Working People

(4) Youth

(5) Professional People and Community

(6) Children who cannot go to school

(7) Rural Population

(8) Housewives

(9) Economically disadvantaged sections of society

(10) Children who drop out of school during their studies

(11) Persons with disabilities

(12) People living in remote areas

 

Spodick has explained the scope of distance education under the following headings:

(i) Adult Learning

Distance education is being used for adult education. In the past, distance education has mostly focused on adult education. Distance education was considered a better medium, especially for the adult population in rural areas. It was being used mostly for helping farmers and small business owners to teach them the new technology and this use of distance education is still common around the world. It is estimated that in China almost 20 million people are getting distance education. Along with other programs in UK distance education program was also launched for adults and a university was also established it also includes the expanded programs from Norway to South Africa. In recent years secondary, degree and postgraduate programmes were also included.

(ii) Disabled and Home-Bound:

Distance education is considered a great opportunity for people with disabilities around the world who can not travel easily, they are naturally attracted to distance education. Distance education programs use such tools and resources that remove physical barriers to learning.

(iii) Non-Native Language Speakers:

Due to the increasing trend of people migrating for a better future, the number of people speaking non-native languages is increasing in many areas. Such people are not able to fully benefit from the educational institutions established there due to linguistic problems. In such a situation, they turn to distance learning programs in which teaching is organized in different languages.

(2)- The need and importance of distance education:

Nikky has presented the following points to highlight the need, scope and importance of distance education.

(i)Explosion of Knowledge:

Rapid advances in science and technology have led to a tremendous increase in knowledge, while the traditional education system, due to its inflexibility, high cost and other problems, is unable to quickly absorb the rapid changes taking place.

(ii) Population Explosion:

The rapid rate of population growth has also greatly increased the number of students but the formal education system can only educate a select and limited number of students.

(iii) Varied Needs:

Only a distance education system, rather than a formal one, can meet the different needs of different students.

(iv) Earning while Learning:

Distance education is a special need for people who want to earn a living along with their education.

(v) Desire to Improve Qualification:

Many people want to further improve their educational qualifications while working and distance learning provides such individuals with the opportunity to improve their educational qualifications.

(vi) Geographical Isolation:

Due to long distances or poor communication systems, many people may suffer from geographical isolation but distance education helps overcome this difficulty.

(vii) Social Isolation:

People can sometimes suffer from social isolation or marginalization due to economic, physical, emotional or family circumstances but such individuals can be helped through distance learning.

(viii) For Different Ages:

Through distance learning, people of different ages can be taught a variety of subjects at the same time.

(ix) Universal Education:

Distance education can play a crucial role in achieving the national goal of universal education.

(x) Democratic Aspiration:

Distance education is needed to meet the demand for democratizing education for the disadvantaged sections of society.

(xi) Self-Improvement:

From the perspective of an individual's self-learning and self-improvement in their own self and personality, distance education is very important, otherwise the individual may be deprived of a suitable education.

(xii) Boon for In-Service Aspirants:

Open universities are no less than a gift for those seeking work-study opportunities. Their students can improve their academic qualifications while continuing their jobs, which also increases their opportunities for advancement.

(xiii) Easy Access:

Distance education provides access to knowledge to a large number of people who may have been denied such opportunities in the past.