The Check’s in the Mail

Open and Distance Learning through the Post

The postal service was the only way for distance learning to exist before radio and TV! However, it had incredibly limited reach. Tutors that wished to perform correspondence learning had to physically post each individual letter to every student they wished to reach.

1728 – Boston, USA:

Caleb Phillips publishes an advertisement in the Boston Gazette inviting people to take part in correspondence learning. They would be able to learn how to write shorthand by sending their work to him through the mail. He would then correct their work and send it back to them.

1840 – Bath, UK:

Isaac Pitman, known as “The Pioneer of Distance Education”, mailed postcards to his students for them to transcribe Bible passages into shorthand and mail them to him. He would then make corrections, similarly to Phillips, and then send them back to his students.

1843 – Unknown:

America launches the foundation of the Phonographic Correspondence Society.

1856 – Germany

Charles Toussaint (French) and Gustav Longenscheidt (German) taught classes through correspondence; though there was barely any correspondence between the students and the tutors.

1873 – 1897 – Boston

Anna Elliot Ticknor; founded the Society to Encourage Study at Home from 1873 until she died in 1897. The idea of exchanging letters between teachers and students originated with her. Interestingly, most of her students were female, who were only just beginning to demand access to higher education.

Change the Frequency!

Open and Distance learning over the Radio

In 1894, Guglielmo Marconi invents the spark transmitter and obtains the first patent for a radio device. This was the key turning point for open and distance learning, as it allowed tutors to reach students in an enormously larger area than they could only have ever dreamed of in the past.

1906 – USA

The University of Wisconsin launches a wireless station, later known as the WHA, a federally licensed radio station dedicated to educational broadcasting.

Over the next 15 years, over 170 more educational institutions attempted to use radio to educate the public, but by 1922, all radio frequencies had been exhausted. By 1929, out of the 176 radio stations at educational institutions, only 35 remained.

Thankfully, after 1928, many radio-related educational businesses had come to fruition:

1928 – USA

Benjamin Darrow founded the Ohio School of the Air.

1928 – USA

The Radio Corporation of America (RCA) Educational Hour starts.

1930 – USA

CBS starts the American School of the Air.

May 11th 1930 – USA

The Rockefeller and Carnegie foundations organised and funded the National Advisory Council for Radio in Education (NACRE) in an effort to promote radio broadcasting as a teaching medium.

1930 – USA

Columbus, Ohio founds The Institute for Education by Radio (IER). The IER concentrated on techniques used in educational broadcasting.

What else is on?

Open and Distance learning over the TV

After the incredible success of radio education, it would not be long before television would attempt to break into the educational sector as well. In 1913, Thomas Edison said:

“Books will be obsolete in the public schools. Schools will be instructed through the eye. It is possible to teach every branch of human knowledge with motion picture. Our school system will be completely changed inside of ten years.”

Even though the technology to use television as an educational medium had existed since 1927, the first use of television in education did not exist until between 1932 and 1937 at the University of Iowa. However, this was purely experimental. Education only started using television properly in the early 1950s.

1952 – USA

The FCC reserves television channels for the exclusive use of education, but unfortunately, it still wasn’t successful and remained so until the 1960s-70s.

By the mid-1970s, the BBC began to set a standard for American television course developers to follow. Computers became a medium for delivering education by this time too, however.

Just Refresh the Page!

Open and Distance learning over the Internet

Following the ultimate failure of television to break into the open and distance learning sector, computers were introduced to try and make distance learning more interactive and accessible to people in a global capacity.

The corporate arena first started using computers during the 1980s. During this time, companies would use computer-based programs to train new employees. After that, the corporate explosion of online distance education was in effect. It wasn’t long before the internet became the most popular and widespread instrument for distance education around the world.

1989 – USA

CompuServe is first used at the University of Phoenix.

1990 – USA

The first Learning Management System (LMS) platform is launched, called FirstClass. This was the precursor to the LMSs used in today’s virtual learning environments. These include Blackboard and Canvas, which many educational institutions use today.

1991 – USA

Tim-Burners Lee unveils The World Wide Web (WWW) in 1989. The University of Phoenix was one of the first to offer online education programs over the internet.

1992 – USA

The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation develops Asynchronous Learning Networks (ALNs). Those unable to attend traditional class in the classroom were given experimental educational alternatives through ALNs.

1998 – USA

Universities failed to implement online learning, because they ignored the fundamental principles of the quality of the education, institutional governance and project planning.

2011 – Globally

65% of institutions reported that online learning was critical to their long-term strategic plans. Eric Yuan created Zoom, the online communication program, this year as well. It would go on to become one of the most widely recognized software apps for online teaching in 2018-2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This is because it gave institutions the ability to safely teach their students over the internet without losing too much quality of education.

2012

John Sener said, “Education has been, is being and will continue to be cyberized”. The wider public was provided access to online education during the first era. The second era prioritised improving the quality of the education being taught both online and offline.

Present

Nowadays, open and distance learning has become an accepted and fundamental part of our educational lives. It’s clear that the world of education would not be the same if not for the accessibility that online learning provides. The technological advancements that now allow students to attend university from their homes have surely affected the lives of thousands of people globally. It will surely continue to develop now that institutions have learned how to implement online learning at its maximum capacity.

To read more interesting blog articles, visit Unicaf’s Blog!

Life in a Digital Age

First, can you imagine a world without the internet? Seriously, think about it for a moment. As our planet becomes increasingly digital, it’s becoming almost unimaginable to think of a world without access to the web. The mind boggles at the possibility of no access to streaming sites and shopping channels. And, shock, horror, how will we order our morning cappuccino? 

The Way Forward

We are now so reliant on digital know-how that It’s hard to believe that a couple of decades ago things were much simpler. With that in mind, there’s never been a better time to jump on the digital bandwagon. And the way to do that is by for an MSc Digital Marketing degree through one of Unicaf’s partner universities.

Liverpool John Moores University

aims to equip students with the knowledge and practical skills to lead digital marketing activity. The programme will also develop skills to be able to identify where digital marketing fits within the business environment.

Benefits of MSc Digital Marketing

An MSc Digital Marketing degree will provide you with the skills and know-how required to create successful strategies and campaigns. Here are some key marketing factors that you can expect to learn during the programme:

• Create Brand Awareness
• Generate leads
• Engage Customers
• Build Customer Loyalty

Digital Marketing is a constantly evolving field that requires up to the minute knowledge since it includes a wide variety of practices. These include, but are not limited to, the following:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimisation)
• Content Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Online PR
• Email Marketing
• Affiliate Marketing
• CRO (Conversion Rate Optimisation)

The Future is Digital

This accredited and internationally recognised MSc Digital Marketing degree will enable students to gain a complete understanding of the programme. You will also be able to identify where digital marketing fits within the business environment. By the end of your degree, you’ll be in a position to fully understand the digital marketing industry. Equally, you will have developed analytical and practical skills relating to key software essential in the digital marketing world.

And Finally…

And finally, you’ll be in the enviable position where you’ll be able to carry out academic research independently, work professionally, and communicate effectively with colleagues. Now, it just doesn’t get better than that!

Modern technology is paving the way to an increasingly online world. Undeniably, education has, nonetheless, been part of this virtual shift, with physical libraries, teaching and research printouts and archives being replaced with e-books, online articles, e-libraries and e-archives. Covid-19 has accelerated this transition, revamping education, broadening teaching and research accessibility and essentially rendering online education and virtual classrooms the ‘new normal’.

For the majority of universities, this shift happened ‘overnight’. However, unlike other institutions, Unicaf has been maintaining an online asynchronous teaching model since 2015. Unicaf’s pioneer experience in online education is reflected through its’ unique and diverse teaching methods, technology, quality in education and student/tutor punctual interaction and support.

Accessibility and Credibility

For the past seven years, Unicaf has been perfecting the delivery of asynchronous online teaching model around the four key pillars: flexibility, accessibility, affordability and credibility. To facilitate flexible online learning, students are given unlimited open-access to an e-library portal thus having to their use more than 200,000 e-books, articles and other research materials. .

This is also the case with teaching materials. The online teaching curriculum combines a broad range of educational resources and tools, specifically designed to enable effective student/tutor interaction and student/system engagement. The student survey feedback suggested that ‘the university programmes are well structured’. ‘The weekly content of the course is’ organised and has ‘a great built up and synergy of topics related to one another that really help you understand the course before you attempt any assignments’. The lecturers are helpful and provide feedback and advice’ in a timely and consistent manner. The reading and teaching material, course assignments, and learning outcomes can be ‘used as a reference in one’s daily work activities or human interaction’. With the completion of each module, students are equipped with skills and knowledge that are eminently transferable to the industry workspace and allow further personal and professional development.

Flexibility and Affordability

The online experience of Unicaf is designed around a web-based platform the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). The VLE is available for student registration and is accessible at any given time of the day. Thus, the availability of technology allows autonomous learning, with students being able to learn by making arrangements on their day-to-day schedules, career ambitions or family responsibilities. The flexible learning and the financial support that Unicaf provides through its generous scholarship scheme is well received by our students. Student reviews suggest that ‘connecting to the VLE, and getting the study materials for my lectures is easy’. ‘The VLE system is exceptional and unique, highly efficient, effective and user friendly’. Essentially, studying online at Unicaf ‘is convenient and flexible’ ‘and the scholarship has made it easy to cover my financial obligations’.

Unicaf’s flexible model accounts for affordability. Students are no longer required to commute to campuses or even spend thousands of dollars on housing or on other hidden costs such as buying textbooks and course materials. This is one of the benefits of studying online with student reviews stating that Unicaf’s online delivery model is ‘an excellent experience’ of a ‘streamlined system, aimed at ensuring intellectual advancement’. ‘The course information, as well as the support from the faculty, is admirable’, pertaining to an overall experience that is equal, or if not better than face-to-face teaching.

Student Engagement

Teaching discussion forums represent a vibrant stimulating learning environment where students can share what they are learning with their fellow students and discuss up-to-date topics of interest that are relevant to their studies. These forums and the discussion taking place therein are led by faculty members, giving the impression of a classroom’s physical space, while allowing students to connect globally and exchange information at a personalised pace from the comfort of their own device. One of our students commented on this, stating that ‘the discussion forum facilitated networking and students sharing their experiences throughout the duration of the course’. This was with the active contribution of the instructor who encouraged students to introduce themselves and post discussion topics relevant to the assignment and overall learning objectives and outcomes of the module.

Conclusion

Unicaf provides an experience based on the latest cutting-edge technology available. The VLE platform and the learning activities taking place therein pertain to an overall ‘amazing experience’ that gives ‘the true feeling of being a student’, accompanied by ‘high-quality customer services and academic excellence’.

Distance learning existed for longer than we realise. For instance, I bet you didn’t know that the first form of distance learning came into existence as early as 1728. At that time, the Boston Gazette – a newspaper that existed between 1719 and 1798 in Boston – created short correspondence courses that were mailed to their students through the post.

After that came the implementation of telecourses in the 1950s, which offered educational materials through television broadcasts. These became popular during the 1970-80s and soon after these, CD-ROM e-learning began to show signs of life. With this method, anyone with a CD-ROM drive was able to read books and participate in audio-visual lessons through their computers.

Finally, in 1989, the concept of online study became a reality, offering internet-based synchronous and asynchronous learning. Today, it has evolved into mobile teaching, which allows students to learn through their mobile devices, PDAs and audio players.

So, how is online study better than in-class learning?

Well, many people have had a crack at answering that question. Specifically, over 19,400 articles have been written about the pros and cons of online study, and the seemingly resounding answer to that question is… it depends! Through the enormously differing opinions and feedback about this topic, it’s clear for anyone to see that both methods of learning (online and in-person) have their pros and cons, and it truly depends on the student in question. Everyone has their own ways of learning, some find it easier to learn by watching videos, others prefer in-person teaching. It’s all relative.

Whatever the case, this article will clearly list both the pros and cons of online study and compare them to try and get to a relatively objective and conclusive answer.

The Good, The Bad and the Underrated

As mentioned earlier, there are many varying opinions about the benefits and pitfalls of online learning, so let’s list them, shall we? First, we’ll take a look at the potential negatives of online learning:

The Dark Side of Online Study

• PROCRASTINATION. Online classes make it a lot easier for students who do not have the right amount of self-discipline to procrastinate too much. This leads to their workload piling up and leaving them feeling overwhelmed when they finally decide to start working.

• TIME CONSUMING. Studies show that online studying is more time consuming than in-class learning. This is because in-class, students can zone-out for short periods of time. This is completely normal. In online study, however, students can pause, rewind and re-watch any parts of the video that they may have missed. This leads to repetition, and therefore a longer period of time spent learning.

• SELF-ORGANISATION. Students that previously relied on a timed schedule to structure their school learning are now forced to create their own work schedule. This can be difficult for students with bad time-management skills or generally busy lifestyles.

It’s All In Your Head

• SELF-MOTIVATION. Students who take part in online study must be able to motivate themselves to meet their deadlines at their own discretion. Unlike in-class teaching, lecturers will not chase (metaphorically speaking) their students to see work being done.

• ISOLATION. Being in an online learning environment can make one feel isolated from the world, as days lack inter-personal connection with fellow peers. Also, a lack of face-to-face interaction with the lecturers can make students feel disconnected from their support system, which can lead to stress and anxiety.

• MAINLY THEORETICAL. Studies show that lecturers that participate in online learning tend to focus more on conveying theoretical knowledge to their students, since they are unable to interact physically with them. This can lead to the students that have more of a proclivity towards hands-on learning falling behind. It’s important to note, however, that technology is evolving to accommodate online learning more and more as the requirement for new methods of online teaching grows. So, it won’t be long before the more practical and physical courses will be taught online more efficiently and effectively too.

But wait! Before you close this article and start rocking yourself to sleep in the corner of a room, regretting your decisions, read on! There are always two (and sometimes more) sides to every story. So, fear not! There are more benefits than drawbacks when it comes to online study, but these will have to be organised in a few separate categories; from the most important to less important benefits of online study. So, let’s look at those next:

The Light Within Online Study

The Top Reasons:

• FREEDOOOOMM. One of the largest benefits of online study is the freedom students have to attend lectures in their own time. This allows students with busy schedules or generally hectic lifestyles to allocate their time as they please. Whether it’s watching a video recording or audio playback of the lecture, online students have all the materials at their fingertips, to use whenever they choose to.

• STUDY AT HOME. Another enormous benefit of taking your learning online is the ability to attend classes from the comfort of your own home. This is an enormously beneficial aspect of online learning for several reasons. First of all, home is comfort, and studies show that online classes tend to have significantly higher attendance rates. Whether that be down to the removal of the commute to and from class, or the time spent preparing a packed lunch, it’s undebatable that online classes simply make life easier. If that isn’t reason enough, here are some other reasons to study online at home:
  • SELF CARE. Studying from home gives students more time to focus on self-care. Whether that be taking a short break to do a quick workout or taking a short nap; online study allows students to pause and continue their learning at their own pace.
  • MORE PRODUCTIVE. Studies show that 42% of office workers believe they are more productive when working from home.
  • SAFER. For those who have night classes, or who are generally concerned about getting sick (looking at you, viruses), the ability to study from home adds that extra little touch of relief.

As if that’s not enough…

• CHEAPER. Studying online can be significantly cheaper than in-person teaching. This is another significant contributing factor to the debate of online study being better than in-person learning. Learning from home saves any money that would otherwise be spent on transportation or eating out. Also, any parents who would have had to pay for babysitters or other child-care facilities can save that money for other, more important things.

The Hidden Gem Reasons:

• KEEP YOUR JOB. The freedom that comes with studying online allows people to continue with their professional commitments while studying online. As opposed to on-campus learning, where students are forced to cut out a large chunk of their days -and potentially have to give up their jobs – to attend university.

• SAME DEGREE. It makes no difference whether or not the course a student follows is done online or in-person, the certificate they receive at the end of the course is exactly the same as the Degree issued to students studying on-campus!
• EMPLOYERS LIKE IT. Studies show that potential employers prefer degrees obtained online because it shows that the student, or potential employee, has become well-versed in using the necessary technology, and is therefore computer literate.

The Other Reasons:

• BETTER FEEDBACK. The feedback received from the teaching staff will often be a lot more detailed. This allows the students to make more appropriate corrections or receive more specific feedback about a piece of work they have submitted.

• FREE STUFF. Many institutions will freely provide the necessary learning resources to their students, to ensure that all students have equal learning opportunities. The institutions can provide technology like laptops, tablet computers, e-readers, online Q&A journals and recorded online lectures to the students that may need them.

• VERSATILE. Online learning allows students to learn in a way that suits them the most. Whether that be watching an online video of the lecture, or listening to an audio recording of it, students have the ability to choose their own method of study.

Summary

As the list shows, the downfalls of online learning listed here are entirely psychological, with students having poor time management, or feeling isolated from their classmates and teachers. On the other hand, the benefits range from the psychological to the material. This distinction is perhaps the reason why there is such a large debate surrounding this subject.

Those that believe that psychological well-being is not to be tampered with may claim that online study has an overall negative impact on students. Whereas those that believe that the positives far outweigh the negatives, whether that be from a financial aspect, or simply the ease of being able to work from home, could claim that online study is tremendously beneficial for students.

Conclusion

To bring everything together, this article aimed to map out the pros and cons of online study and compare them to determine which perspective held the most validity. And the conclusion is that both do! It depends entirely on the person reading it. Some people are more comfortable working alone, online, from the comfort of their own homes. Others find it easier to concentrate in the hustle and bustle of a lively university campus. Without a doubt it also depends on the course being taken; no surgical resident would learn how to perform complicated surgeries by watching online videos. However, for the more theoretical courses, online study can be a massively helpful and useful tool to take advantage of.

So, to conclude, it seems this question will remain as eternal as the famous “if you were to replace a boat piece-by-piece, is it still the same boat”? Unfortunately, the answer is the resoundingly inconclusive “it depends”. Every person has their own preferences and should decide what best suits their needs. Either way, hopefully this article will help to clarify some uncertainties or teach you something entirely new about the pros and cons of online study.

And if you ARE considering taking an online course, look no further! At Unicaf, we offer a wide variety of online courses that cater to all areas of study!

Take a look!

Consider these five must-have qualities and make sure you “sell” yourself, your personality, qualities and soft skills appropriately. 

1. Be Positive

A recent poll on LinkedIn revealed that more than 35% of professionals agree that having a positive attitude is crucial when looking for new hires. Being positive in the corporate finance world (and in most professions) often reflects career success. Thus make sure you maintain your positivity throughout your whole career. If you’re having trouble being positive, keep these points in mind: don’t criticise others, don’t complain, and always prioritise teamwork.

2. Emotional Intelligence 

When looking to fill a new position, recruiters usually look for the ideal educational background and skills; but have you ever thought about how this person can be an excellent cultural fit for the company?  

For this reason, employers across the finance industry are now hiring for emotional intelligence. In fact, people with high emotional intelligence tend to work well with others. This is because they have the ability to recognise and understand their own and others’ emotions, whilst they are also able to manage them appropriately. Thus, don’t be surprised if you get asked questions such as ‘’When was the last time you motivated someone to do something?’’ or ‘’In case of a financial data mistake, how do you react?’’. The interviewer wants to find out whether you can engage with the company’s core values and goals and help it grow. 

3. A growth Mindset 

Mindset is everything – whether we are referring to personal or professional life. People with a growth mindset believe that they have the potential to grow, learn and thrive through practice and hard work. These people tend to be much more successful than those with a fixed mindset. These people believe that their talents are innate gifts and cannot be further developed. 

When applying for a corporate finance position, be prepared to answer questions such as ‘’How did you grow professionally while working in the industry’’, ‘’How willing are you to work with new people?’’ or ‘’Who inspires you?’’. Your answers can show a growth mindset, positive outlook and maturity. And of course, employers will hire those whose attitude and abilities will help grow the business, the brand and the profits. 

4. Detail Oriented 

When someone thinks of a detail-oriented person, they usually think of someone who is organised, highly observant and has control of everything. In the corporate finance industry, minor errors can easily become significant issues; thus, paying attention to every little detail is a valuable skill. During a job interview, hiring managers tend to ask questions such as ‘Describe us how you use your organisational skills in work?’. In this case, make sure you answer with clear, real-life examples from your previous work experience – whatever level you were in, exhibiting that you follow a clear layout and structure before you start a task. 

5. Adaptable Communication 

Communication is helpful in any profession. In the corporate finance world, employees need to communicate the story behind the numbers in a comprehensive way – both written and verbal. Imagine talking to clients who are not in the finance industry or even colleagues from other departments unfamiliar with financial terms. In this case, you have to make sure you have their attention as you use commonly used terms and simple language. Furthermore, corporate finance employees should be confident speaking in public to different media channels when appropriate. 

Start Your Finance Career Path With A Unicaf Scholarship

If you think you have the right personality traits and qualities to be in the finance world, then start with your application for a Unicaf Scholarship to study towards a rewarding finance programme. Design your own schedule, study entirely online, meet industry experts, and experience innovative learning.��

Let’s admit it, we all use social media. Some use it 24/7, others simply to fill their spare time, stay connected with friends, research new products before purchase or simply for work purposes. Since social media is basically everywhere – we have to argue that social media is here to stay. Currently, there are more than 3.5 billion social media users worldwide; nevertheless, some sectors hesitate to join the world of digitalisation. This applies to the , where the use of social media can be a challenge.

The Unmentioned Challenges

For those not familiar with the industry, banking and finance are all about money, transactions, credits, and investments, which make up today’s economic world; in which credibility is a major issue. Banking and finance institutions feel the pressure to build those solid, trusting relationships with their customers. Social media are now becoming increasingly powerful when it comes to building such relationships. But how can they keep their customers satisfied and happy when social media is all about transparent content? 

For the financial services, social media exposure has to do with compliance, security and privacy [as these are their primary challenges].  Imagine how people are sharing their opinions about restaurants and hotels online, the same applies to banks and financial services. People will share their real-life experiences, especially the bad ones publicly. For example, if they had a bad experience with a bank’s customer service representative, if something went wrong with their bank transfer or had an issue with a financial service provider they will post a review on a social media post either tagging the service or directly to the company’s account.

Is Social Media a Game-changer for Banks and Financial Institutions? 

In retrospect, the banking industry evidently neglected the potential of social media, and financial marketers mostly focused on traditional offline campaigns. The good news is that major platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are no longer a medium of communication and sales just for fashion experts, tourist agents, food bloggers, and car enthusiasts. 

Banks and financial services have to catch up with the latest social media trends and join a digital world full of possibilities. Whether it is used to boost brand awareness, improve customer experience, inform and educate customers about services or products, or expand customer service, social media’s effectiveness is proving to be a powerful marketing tool for the expansion of the banking and finance industry. 

During the last decade, more and more banking and financial services worldwide have been adopting social media as a marketing tool to build strong communities. According to the American Bankers Association (2019), 9 out of 10 banks are very or somewhat active on social media. But where does this change and enthusiasm come from? 

Social media users cannot be ignored 

Social media have become much more than a communication channel and an online shopping experience. The number of banking customers who also use social media is too high to be ignored, making social media an appealing marketing tool for the proposed sector. People of all ages are now using their smartphones for everything. With one click, they can access any service or product they need. So why should banks miss out? 

A way to engage the younger generation

Banking and finance language can be confusing, yet not exciting for those outside the field, particularly younger generations. Did you know that a significant percentage of youths are stressed about not repaying personal or student loans or purchasing their first home? 

Following such concerns, banking and finance companies realise that in order to inform, engage and market the millennial audience, they have to ‘’speak their language”. And since youths are using social media for basically everything, banks and financial institutions had to join the community too. Can you think of scrolling through your bank’s Instagram account? If so, then think about finding the most interesting [bank-related] content. For example, articles such as ‘5 things you should know before purchasing your first house’ or ‘tips on how to start your own business”. Wouldn’t that be a far simpler and friendlier way to attract the youth, while at the same time educating them? 

Making the difference 

As a result of the desire to engage younger generations, banks realise that they need to apply unconventional techniques in order to differentiate themselves from their competitors. They basically aim to give a reason to current or potential customers to follow them. Banks nowadays are not satisfied only with posting generic content such as basic financial definitions or formal banking trends. Instead, they started using social media more creatively, making them more appealing to current or potential customers. They are focusing on friendlier and informal yet efficient ways to respond to the queries of their customers. 

An exciting example is coming from the Toronto-Dominion Bank in North America. The proposed bank started an annual campaign called #TDThanksYou, where it gave rewards to its customers. The campaign is still on today, and it’s rewarding customers and employees who are making positive contributions to their communities. Such efforts were found to be highly successful across the social media community of the bank. Furthermore, the proposed campaign enhanced public awareness and increased the interaction between the bank and the users. 

More To Come

Clearly, the use of social media in the banking and finance industry is still evolving. However, like all sectors,  banking and finance also need to have a place in the world of social media. If you are thinking about joining the world of finance, keep in mind that digitalisation is the new norm, thus keep an eye on the latest digital marketing trends and let your banking or finance institution stand out from the rest. 

If you aspire to make a difference in the finance world, earn an from Unicaf University. Study for a career-boosting internationally recognised degree. Apply today!

Today’s blog will focus on the good side and the benefits of distance learning regarding mental health. 

Does Distance Learning have Positive or Negative Effects on Mental Health? 

This topic is incredibly highly debated. To date, while for some, online learning could trigger their anxiety or stress levels, for others, online learning could boost their mental health due to the stress-free environment at home. 

Let’s be honest – the Covid-19 pandemic has had a profoundly negative effect on many of us. Since the start of the pandemic in January 2020, the prevalence of anxiety and depression has almost doubled across some regions around the world. When it comes to higher education, mental health among students is reflected in anything that has to do with productivity and sociability; such as academic performance, social isolation, interpersonal interaction, missed classes, anxiety and stress. 

Even though distance learning has received a lot of criticism and scepticism, there is no question that distance learning has taken over the educational sector. So let’s examine the largest benefits of this previously unpopular teaching method.

The Pros of Distance Learning 

Believe it or not, distance learning may help reduce social anxiety and build a trusting relationship between students and professors. Read about four ways distance learning can boost your mental health below.��

1. More flexibility

While a little bit of university pressure is to be expected at the very least, too much pressure could be harmful to one’s mental health. Distance learning allows students to combine work, social life, family and studies all at once. In contrast with traditional higher education where everything is organised based on a timetable, e-learning will enable students to make their university schedule based on their daily needs and life requirements. Flexibility also acts in terms of timing, deadlines and priorities. Everything is up to you, so make it work your way! 

2. Self-paced & personalised experience

Continuing from the previous point – online education is here to prove that the traditional one-size-fits-all approach for education is no longer ideal for every student. Joining an online degree will give you one less worry when it comes to timing and scheduling. 

To date, self-paced learning, also known as self-directed learning, happens when the learner takes the entire responsibility of their learning experience – always with the guidance and support of educators. This mode of learning creates a personalised learning environment which means that students can plan their university programme based on their needs, individual academic strengths and weaknesses. Imagine missing your lecture because you had other responsibilities outside the university. You can catch up with the classes and coursework any time through the online educational platform. 

Self-paced learning was found to be beneficial in terms of developing ownership of learning, freedom to use different models of learning and identify the one that fits their needs the most. This mode of learning also enables students to focus on the areas that interest them most. Self-learning is also found to help students boost their self-esteem and self-reflection. 

3. Engagement & trust relationships 

Given the personalised online education experience, students and professors should be able to create strong trust bonds between them. Interaction with other students and their professors is much needed, especially since Covid-19 limited the majority of our social interactions. In contrast with on-campus universities, with distance education, students can easily arrange meetings with their professors. In addition to that, there are some exciting and alternative ways to socialise online. For example, students can use virtual offices, hangouts, online games or even virtual events. These are just a few ways online learning can be more engaging and enjoyable for students who get stressed out easily. 

4. Stress-free environment

Being at home offers a feeling of safety for many students. Stressors are much less; thus students are more likely to be productive and enjoy their education journey. They can study in their favourite corner, have their snacks at any time, talk with their family and have a break whenever they need one. Here’s a typical example – we all know that the exam period is a stressful one. Studying for an online degree does not mean exams are over. However, on the bright side, they are usually effortless. An online-based exam might be in the form of multiple-choice questions. Your professors might give you a few hours’ window to complete your exam, while others will let you have an open book exam. 

Looking Forward 

Distance learning for higher education is here to stay. By focusing on a student’s mental health, university experience can be much more enjoyable and effective. Study from home with a Unicaf Scholarship. Find the online degree of your choice and start your flexible and stress-free university journey.

Explore some of the key differences between studying online and studying on campus. One of the most important reasons students choose to study online is flexibility, as they can study anywhere, anytime. Click on the illustration to get a clearer idea of the advantages and disadvantages of these learning models.

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Read our blog post here discussing each learning method’s strengths and weaknesses and how students should choose based on their preferences and circumstances.

Cost-Effectiveness: Online Vs Traditional University

Online learning is gaining credibility as more renowned universities shift to online programmes to accommodate more students worldwide. Online universities have grown in popularity as they are considerably less expensive than traditional ones. International students can earn an equivalent to an on-campus degree while paying less for tuition. Moreover, online education is more affordable as you avoid expenses like accommodation,  transportation and other living costs. When choosing a traditional university, students must budget carefully as living expenses, and tuition fees in many western countries are quite high. Fortunately, though, both options can be more affordable if a candidate is awarded a scholarship.��

Eco-Friendly Studies

Online universities are not only affordable but also “greener” than on-campus ones. Online institutions, their staff, faculty and students all make a positive impact on the environment. Firstly, they do not have to commute to school, and thus they decrease their carbon footprint. Secondly, all study material is online (saving tons of paper waste); thirdly, schools significantly reduce their energy consumption by providing their curricula online.��

Flexibility Of Online and Traditional Universities

Working professionals, mothers and fathers with family and other commitments can benefit from flexible online programmes that allow them to arrange their studies around their busy schedule. While online learning enables students to control study timetables, traditional learning is more rigid and structured as students need to be present in lectures. Therefore, online universities are perfect for busy adults who want to arrange their own study time and be accountable for their learning. Traditional studies, au contraire, are more suitable for students who lack concentration and need more face-to-face guidance to complete their coursework. Especially younger students who need tutor support during their first semesters. Meanwhile, postgraduate students can study more independently as they have the experience to research, analyse and conduct assignments with less assistance.

Communication and Computer Skills

Due to the recent COVID19 crisis, educational tools that support virtual lessons have been deployed to assist millions of university students who were restricted due to lockdowns. E-learning is not just watching recorded lectures; learners can experience the whole student journey without leaving their houses. Digital learning platforms include highly effective virtual rooms, internal communication for student support, extensive e-libraries, video tutorials, forums, podcasts, webinars, coursework planning boards and many more.�� During the induction module of an online university, online students learn how to use all these tools to maximise learning. Since online learning relies heavily on technology, students develop computer skills that are useful for their future workplaces. Recent surveys show that many employers hire computer literate graduates who know how to manage multiple tools effectively. Undoubtedly, online learning is an excellent method for learners to improve their computer and communication skills.

At the same time, students who study on campus need to attend conferences, workshops and organise group meetings with fellow students to carry out group projects. There is more face-to-face communication, interaction and socialising with classmates. But, it is more time consuming and stressful for the more timid students who do not enjoy social and academic gatherings. For this reason, many educators claim that many learners would benefit from a option instead. Through blended learning, learners can attend on-ground activities that increase student engagement and use technology to enhance their studies.��

Accessibility and Student Life

The greatest advantage of online learning is that it has made higher education more accessible and viable for international students regardless of their location, socioeconomic status and background. Getting into a prestigious university is nowadays easier for anyone who meets the academic criteria. Earning a quality degree online is an excellent option for people who live on a different continent. Thanks to technology, tertiary education is more inclusive as it caters for students from different backgrounds. Conversely, a traditional university can be a good choice for those who want to combine travelling and studying abroad. Many international students crave to experience student life, new customs, traditions, meet new people, and pursue a career abroad.��

There is no right or wrong choice; students should weigh the pros and cons and decide according to their own learning style and circumstances.