Understanding how distance learning can make education more inclusive and accessible

What is it about?

Distance education lets students from any part of the world learn from home. It includes tools for online lectures that are easy to access. This can help overcome cultural differences. It can support inclusiveness for people with disabilities and make higher education available to more people. This book chapter explores the benefits of distance learning. To do so, it looks at top universities in developed countries. It shows how distance learning can create a more inclusive and competitive educational environment. Distance learning does this by providing flexible and accessible learning options.

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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Distance learning is a more logical and fair way to learn compared to traditional learning. In traditional learning, universities need more teachers who speak foreign languages to overcome cultural barriers and become international. But with distance learning, universities need to hire experts like translators and foreign teachers only once. These experts then create international courses with a focus on the quality of teaching. In traditional education, achieving gender equality and inclusiveness requires building resources and infrastructure, like campuses. This is a serious expense that most universities cannot afford. On the other hand, distance learning offers a gender-neutral approach and achieves full inclusiveness at a low cost. The experiences of top universities from developed countries discussed in this chapter are very valuable. They will be useful for other universities, like those in developing countries. KEY TAKEAWAY: Distance learning makes higher education and universities more inclusive compared to traditional learning. It is cheaper and more flexible. It can bring the world a step closer to the goal of fair access to education for all. This research relates to the following Sustainable Development Goals: • SDG 4: Quality Education • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities • SDG 5: Gender Equality • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure