The advantages of distance education

With the need to education becoming increasingly more, universities have to find innovative ways on how to hold up the masses.

Although sometimes considered as second best, distance learning has become the answer to many a prayers and the solution to the mass universities are struggling with.

Not just a can you continue with your everyday working routine and tend to your family and other commitments, but you will be able to attend to a full time study course.

What is the value of distance learning, the answer to that is simple, it depends solely on you as the student.  The advantages of distance learning however allows for:

Flexibility

Probably being the biggest advantage of distance education is that depending on your diary and the responsibilities you have you can fit your study time to a time that best suits you. 

Saves time and money

These courses are most of the time a whole lot cheaper for the same quality material, you will also be saving on university accommodation as well as on commuting.

Convenient

Having the luxury of studying for your own home, you can sit in you PJ’s and do the required tasks.  It’s sometimes as easy as dropping your assignment off at the post office and or submitting it online.

Self and community empowerment

Changing you career and future prospects wherever you are not matter how rural the area.  Being from a rural area will allow you to educate those around you as well showing them that everything is possible.

24/7 access to study material and other students

Be included in university life through contact with other students through online learning environments, as well as through direct contact with your lecturers via the provided forums, through emails or by phone.

Although the over-dependence on technology, the lack of discipline or the fact that there is little to no direct contact with faculty could be a few disadvantages of distance learning, many studies have shown this to be a valuable and efficient way of education.   Just believe in yourself and make the best of the opportunities presented.

 

Innovative Education Trends In 2014

Whether you are one of the first years who have to own a tablet for this year’s studies or whether you are a teacher looking for new ways to inspire your students, here are a few innovative trends in education for this year… and most of them is about increasing access to information…

Online Collaborative Learning

We spend a lot of time online, sharing information. It only seems natural for learning to take the same course. Online independent learning can happen a lot easier because of the online skills that many students already have. This model is great for collaboration, allowing students to benefit from shared memory and shared resources. Just imagine study groups online, where you will be able to talk about articles, books and ideas that will help each other.

Online Resources and Textbooks

Many often consider online learning as a static learning process with little interaction. Many of the online resources that we will be seeing reenacts face-to-face learning experiences, so the classroom will physically be represented online with the help of video and audio mediums. Sharing digital resources is also a lot more efficient – you no longer have to wait for your textbook to arrive at your local bookstore (and chances are that you can access them on your smartphone or tablet).

Social Media for Learning

87% of Facebook and 85% of Twitter users in South Africa are accessing these platforms on their mobile phone and with South Africa having a mobile penetration well over 100%, social media is going to become important in providing students with access to information and encourage them to participate in conversation. Challenges still exist in proving the credibility of this medium, although we should be seeing a lot more interaction between educators, students and industry specialists on platforms like Facebook and Twitter.

The Flipped Classroom

Many learning institutions have a structure where most of the time spent in class includes an educator delivering information to the students and then, by use of a textbook, it is up to the student to read the relevant chapters. The idea of the flipped classroom allows students to access information how they want to, allowing them to absorb the information in a way that is best suited to them. This might include watching videos, listening to podcasts, collaborating with peers online for example.

Regardless of what you are studying, remember that we offer loans for textbooks, study-related equipment, laptops and tablets to ensure that you have everything you need to help you during your studies! Contact us today to find out how we can assist you!

What Is Mobile Learning

In South Africa the use of mobile phones, tablets and other connected devices is increasing, along with the access to wireless technology. All of these are also becoming more affordable, allowing South Africans to benefit from being connected. Because students are generally early adopters of technology, technology-rich activities can increase engagement… this is one of the key driving forces for mobile learning.

Mobile learning is the process of providing or obtaining educational content via mobile devices. Educational content is not limited to text and can also include video and podcasts for example. The notions of mobile learning is important for the following reasons:

• It encourages learning, regardless of location
• It can reached communities where physical resources are scarce
• It leverages current online social interactions to stimulate collaboration
• It gives students a personalized learning experience

Mobile learning has huge potential for South Africa, especially in an environment where the educator to student ratio is too high to support efficient growth in the education of South African youth.

There are however several challenges in implementing mobile learning in South Africa:

• Bandwidth costs are still expensive
• The cost of smartphones cannot always be afforded by all social-economic groups
• Software development can be costly
• Due to the rapid development of technology, it is often difficult to ensure that the software is compatible across all versions of most platforms
• Privacy of information and content security is a risk

There are however tangible results for projects that has used platforms like MXit, the South African mobile social network with over 6.5 million users and that works on over 8 000 different devices. Dr Math on MXit is an initiative where school pupils could ask Dr Math questions who would help them with mathematical queries. Bookly is a mobile literacy app on MXit, offering students access to a variety of books on their mobile phones. Earlier this year, the app developed into a website (www.bookly.co.za) which is also a writing platforms, allowing anyone to write a ‘bookly’ for others to read. This works on the premise that more content can be generated by peers.

Mobile learning could be the start to building a literate and educated nation, despite the challenges.

Don’t let your outstanding study fees keep at you up at night

If you are struggling with outstanding study fees at your institution do not despair.  Students on average struggle with paying their study fees as well as entertaining their busy student lifestyles due to the fact that they usually have little or no income at all.

Although receiving those threatening SMS’s at the end of every week or month might cause feelings of fear and despair, don’t give up hope help might be easier to access than you think.

The best way to deal with debt is to be aware of the problem and to manage it so that you are in control.

Here are a few tips to help you gain control.

Don’t stress,

As the only education finance specialist in the country Eduloan wants to help you tie those loose ends.  All you need to do is, go on to our website: www.eduloan.co.za and fill out an application form.  You might also consider going to an Eduloan office situated conveniently for you on campus to find out what other choices you have in this regard.

Ignoring those letters wont make the problem go away

Your debt won’t just go away and if you choose to ignore the problem it will only get worse.  The best way to deal with debt is to deal with it head on, know how much you owe and correspond with those you owe informing them of your current situation. Keep copy of these emails and written letters.

Double your income

Most of the time your student loan / grant won’t cover all your expenses.  Apply for a waiter job or something that will secure another source of income.

Budgeting

Most of the time, working on a budget will entitle you to distribute your money accurately and help you not go without the essentials.

Advice is always welcome

Speak to our Eduloan client services agents right on campus for some sound advice.

Never give up!

Giving up will mean that your debt has gained control of you and your life and this will only make things worse for you and those around you.  Pay those that need paying or try your best at persuading them to accept the offer that you can make.

As the leading education finance specialist, Eduloan caters for all levels of tuition. Whether you need to settle your outstanding balance, looking to continue your studies or if you are already working and hope to improve your skills, we have a study loan solution for you. Visit our website for more information or SMS “edu” to 32150 & we’ll call you back! (SMS charged at R1).