Distance learning technologies are designed to simplify the educational process and improve its quality. They are used by tutors to provide students with the necessary information, test their knowledge, collect feedback, answer questions, and share photos, videos, and audio materials. The choice of tools often depends on the goals, abilities, interests, and preferences of all participants of the educational process. Conventionally, we can distinguish the following groups of distance learning technologies.
LMS (Learning Management Systems). This server and cloud platforms, allowing you to create and manage training courses. LMS helps not only to teach students, but also to interact with them, track the learning process, issue certificates. Cloud-based systems are especially popular because they do not require installation and are easy to use.
Communication tools. These include technologies that help the tutor and students interact with each other. For example, asking questions, sharing materials, leaving feedback, sending completed assignments, and so on. Distance learning communication tools include email services, messengers, social networks, websites, and services like Google Classroom or Zoom.
Gamification tools. To make the educational process more interesting and memorable, game elements are often used. These can be chat-bot quizzes, quizzes, specially developed apps, and so on. Gamification tools increase student engagement and help diversify learning and knowledge testing.
Online platforms for posting educational materials. These include a variety of services where educational information can be posted. For example, a company website, video hosting sites like YouTube, podcast platforms, and more.
The freedom in choosing the place, time and even technology of education makes distance education more and more popular. Especially the demand for it appeared with the spread of Covid-19, when the majority of students all over the world lost the opportunity to study in person. Nevertheless, despite the huge and rapidly growing popularity of distance learning, it has its advantages and disadvantages, which you will learn more about in the next section.