Distance learning is the right choice for you!

Revolution in education - distance learning

Constant striving toward advancement and innovation in the sphere of education has enabled us to always go a step ahead, and more, in providing knowledge and skills to the students at our educational institutions.
 
 
LINK group is the creator of the first Serbian platform for e-Learning – Distance Learning System. As experience has shown, this way of adopting knowledge and skills has given excellent results and advanced education in much more respects than the usual mode of education has been able to accomplish. Thanks to the DL platform, specially designed by top experts, at our schools, besides the usual, traditional mode of attending classes, we also offer distance learning, i.e., learning over the Internet.
 
Considering the professional orientation of our educational institutions, we feel a special responsibility to explain in detail how this mode of learning actually works and to raise awareness of the numerous advantages it offers.
 

What is distance learning and how does it work?

The United States Distance Learning Association defines distance learning as “acquisition of knowledge and skills through mediated information and instruction”, adding that it “encompasses all technologies and supports the pursuit of lifelong learning for all”.
 
Distance learning implies carrying out of an education program electronically, via the Internet. It is based on use of modern computer and communication technology. It implies lessons and exercises on the Internet, CD or DVD media, consultations with teachers over the Internet, email communication among participants, forum, testing on the Internet, video conferences, etc.

Elements of the distance learning process are:

1. participants in the learning process (deliverers and recipients of educational content),
2. educational content (methodologically appropriate for conditions and objectives of education and directed toward concrete target groups of users),
3. communication and interaction (among participants in the process),
4. technology (ways of presenting educational content and communication among the participants).
 

Why is distance learning the right choice for you?

Distance learning, i.e., learning over the Internet, constitutes one of the major breakthroughs in changing the traditional teaching and learning process. Practice in the world’s educational institutions proves that pedagogical and didactical importance of distance learning is rather great, especially for those who, because of their other commitments, cannot fully commit to traditional mode of gaining education which is still ubiquitous in some regions.

Considering professional orientation of our educational institutions, we feel especially responsible for raising the awareness of advantages this mode of learning offers.

Thanks to intensive development of information technology, teaching has a lot of room to keep growing more modern and inspirative, more comprehensive, superior in quality and more interactive, compared to the traditional model. It has been set free from boundaries imposed by space and time, which means that our students can access information anytime and anywhere, which automatically leaves them more time for individual work and exchange of opinions with the teachers.

No matter whether learning over the Internet is present throughout the education program or complements the traditional mode of learning (for instance, in high school), distance learning gives excellent results.

✓ Distance learning is the learning of the future.

In 2010, over six million students in the USA were already using a distance learning platform. Two years later, more than a billion people worldwide were studying online. It is expected that, by the end of 2014, almost 19 million students will be studying over the Internet, and by 2019 half of all training will be performed online.

E-learning is, without a doubt, one of the fastest-growing markets, which is also proven by research forecasting that by 2015, it will reach the value of 107 billion dollars..

There is no reason why you should not do the same thing as everyone in the world who recognized and used the quality of this way of learning.

✓ DL platform – a work of top experts.

Distance learning platform used by our educational institutions is available 24/7. It is the result of years of work of a team that comprises eminent experts from the educational sphere, software engineers, programmers, administrators, online course authors, pedagogists and psychologists. Its immaculate functioning and development are in the hands a team of 15 engineers and all teachers at our schools.

The platform includes videos, audio recordings, interactive applications, and also provides the possibility of real-time contact with the teachers over the Internet.

✓ Distance learning is not for those who don’t want to study - on the contrary.

Prejudice that distance learning does not yield results of a sufficient quality can be refuted by anyone who has tried this mode of learning. Distance learning is the choice of ambitious and industrious people who do not let the lack of time or spatial boundaries disrupt their learning, not those who want to minimize their commitments and difficulty of their schooling due to laziness. Distance learning has not impoverished the curriculum of traditional mode of education, it just introduced a number of modes and forms of presentation of educational content.

✓ Distance learning allows for interaction in learning just like the traditional mode of teaching, even more.

With expansion of social networks, numerous academic DL platforms have included this kind of software into their mode of work, giving their students the possibility of communicating and sharing their experience. In accordance with global trends in education, at ITAcademy i BusinessAcademy there is also the eduWall that enables users to connect with fellow students all over the world..

✓ Distance learning provides equal opportunities for everyone

Withdrawn and insecure persons come to the fore more in this mode of education than in traditional teaching. Distance learning also provides equal opportunities for handicapped persons to become fully involved in educational activities.

✓ Multimedia content as a complement to studying

Another fact that speaks for learning over the Internet is that incorporating of multimedia content is very useful in the knowledge adoption process, since it provides much more comprehensive information and leaves a stronger impression, provides higher-quality adoption of the material and additionally stimulates curiosity and desire to learn, which is why teaching at ITHS, too, has recently been upgraded through use of interactive whiteboards..

✓ Check your knowledge on the platform

Our students can objectively and efficiently check their knowledge within the platform since, after they have covered a lesson or an area, they can access tests that precisely show how much has really been learned. The system automatically calculates the percentage, the number of points, and points out mistakes that have been made.

The modern society’s need to keep abreast of fast scientific and technological development has resulted in the requirement that learning and education must not be limited by time and space.

Architecture of knowledge

A unique learning methodSpecial “architecture of knowledge” which we have developed helps users to acquire and advance knowledge from the chosen field, using study methods that suit them best, according to preferences, previous experience in the education process, learning style and available time, and much more than that, too.
 
Besides acquiring knowledge in the selected field and internationally recognized certificates, “Architecture of knowledge” developed in this way provides full support to students, helps them in further career development and allows them to present knowledge and skills they have acquired in the business world in the most suitable way – to be recognizable, creative and successful.
 
Prejudice that distance learning does not yield results of a sufficient quality can be refuted by anyone who has tried this mode of learning. Distance learning is the choice of ambitious and industrious people who do not let the lack of time or spatial boundaries disrupt their learning, not those who want to minimize their commitments and difficulty of their schooling due to laziness. Distance learning has not impoverished the curriculum of traditional mode of education, it just introduced a number of modes and forms of presentation of educational content. It is undeniable that this way of learning guarantees excellent results.
 
Experience has shown that studying over the Internet offers a great number of benefits. Education must adapt to innovations and use the possibilities they bring along, since only in that way will it become more comprehensive, better and more effective.

All that remains is to adapt education to innovations and use the possibilities they bring along. We have already done that. Try it yourself.