Distance learning is one of the measures that students and tutors have taken to maintain the continuity of education after the pandemic. It is the aspect that students are separated from their tutors (Costa et al., 2020). Initially, students could be contacted through email about topics, course materials and the syllabus. In years to come, distance learning might impact nursing education positively and negatively. Professionals should anticipate the changes and adjust accordingly.
Distance learning is significant in many ways to nursing education. First, it offers flexibility as students can earn their degrees without their physical appearance on college campuses. Secondly, it is affordable to students who have a passion for nursing yet cannot afford fees for going to the physical address of their campuses. Moreover, most nursing colleges offer quality services for distance learning students with dynamic and easily accessible online programs (Sadeghi, 2019). Finally, it helps an individual gain personal growth by attaining skills in time management, research, communications, experience and leadership.
As a nursing educator, distance learning will impact my experience significantly. I will be able to offer services with improved accessibility to various groups of individuals in miscellaneous settings that include remote areas (Qazi et al.,2021). Moreover, it will be an excellent opportunity to interact with individuals who lack the opportunity to join a nursing career, yet they can study through the initiative. Thus, it will increase diversity in my profession and other nursing educators.
On the downside, distance learning is disadvantageous since students face a risk of online interruptions. They also lack motivation and lose track of meeting deadlines, which can also be an issue to nurse educators. Moreover, distance learning is expensive as it comes with regular computer maintenance, internet expenses, reliable computers and web cameras (Sadeghi, 2019). In my opinion, students should be offered tablets and only nudge in distance learning when they can manage the expenses that accompany it.
References
Costa, R. D., Souza, G. F., Valentim, R. A., & Castro, T. B. (2020). The theory of learning styles applied to distance learning. Cognitive Systems Research, 64, 134-145. Web.
Qazi, A., Qazi, J., Naseer, K., Zeeshan, M., Qazi, S., Abayomi-Alli, O.,& Haruna, K. (2021). Adaption of distance learning to continue the academic year amid COVID-19 lockdown. Children and Youth Services Review, 126, 106038. Web.
Sadeghi, M. (2019). A shift from classroom to distance learning: Advantages and limitations. International Journal of Research in English Education, 4(1), 80–88. Web.