Distance education, also called distance learning, is the education of students who may not always be physically present at a school. Traditionally, this usually involved correspondence courses wherein the student corresponded with the school via mail. Today, it involves online education. Often distance education is also known as distance learning, e-learning, online learning, web-based learning, home study courses, correspondence. Given below are some of the institutes in India offering the same.
 

What are the best Distance Education Institutes in India? 

Trend of Distance Education over the years

One of the earliest attempts was advertised in 1728. This was in the Boston Gazette for " Caleb Philipps, Teacher of the new method of ShortHand", who sought students who wanted to learn through weekly mailed lessons. The first distance education course in the modern sense was provided by Sir Isaac Pitman in the 1840s, who taught a system of shorthand by mailing texts transcribed into shorthand on postcards and receiving transcriptions from his students in return for correction. The first correspondence school in the United States was the Society to Encourage Studies at Home, which was founded in 1873. The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in the closure of the vast majority of schools worldwide. Many schools moved to online remote learning through platforms including Zoom, Cisco Webex, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, D2L, and Edgenuity.

Types of Distance Learning

Distance learning has evolved greatly since the days of correspondence learning in which the student would receive course materials including textbooks and other course materials through the mail. Students would then work completely at their own pace, finishing the course according to their work and life schedule. Although correspondence courses still exist, they are quickly being replaced by online courses, which offer instruction from teachers, interaction with other students, and a forum for feedback.

• Synchronous and Asynchronous - Synchronous literally means “at the same time”, while asynchronous means “not at the same time”. Synchronous distance learning involves live communication either through sitting in a classroom, chatting online, or teleconferencing. Asynchronous distance learning usually has a set of weekly deadlines, but otherwise allows students to work at their own pace.
• Open Schedule - With open schedule online courses, students are allotted the greatest amount of freedom. This is an asynchronous form of learning in which students are provided Internet-based textbooks, mailing lists, email, and bulletin boards to complete their coursework. At the beginning of classes, the student is provided a set of deadlines but is allowed to work at their own pace as long as the work is turned in by the deadline.
• Hybrid Learning - Hybrid courses combine synchronous and asynchronous learning to create a structure in which the student is required to meet at a specific time in a classroom or Internet chat room. However, they are allowed to complete assignments on their own time and may pass them in through an online forum. 
• Computer-based - The main difference between computer-based learning and hybrid learning is that students are not allowed an open schedule. They are required to meet in a specific computer lab or in a classroom at a designated time each week.
• Fixed time - The most common type of distance learning today is fixed time courses. As the title states, these courses are strictly online, but students are required to log-in to their online learning site at a specific time. Although they are completely online, the format remains synchronous because mandatory live chats are often required.

Top Distance Education Institutes

Let’s dive into some of the best centers for Distance Learning that will eventually help the candidate to improve consistency, dwell into the competitive sight with extensive preparation and improve the chances of success.

Mumbai Education Club 

Established in 2011, they strive to provide quality education with innovative teaching methodology. The Institute focuses on distance learning and aims to provide quality education to students and working professionals who wish to study and work simultaneously. The programs offered are more flexible, more innovative, and less expensive and follow the traditional pattern of learning. The Certificate Programs focus on the knowledge and skills required by management professionals who plan to work for Indian and multinational corporations. It provides the students with a general management perspective and introduces them to the latest concepts and practices related to functional areas of management. The institute provides solutions for distance and correspondence education for degrees and diploma courses. 

Institute Details

Highlights

• 1000+ Students
• 38% of Students Applied For PR
• 100% Students Satisfaction  
• Partner Universities - Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan University, Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam University, RKDF University,  Sangai International University, Sri Satya Sai University Of Technology & Medical Sciences, Sehore
• Experienced faculty
• Intensive Coaching

Study Global Service 

The mission is to bring accessible, affordable, engaging, and highly effective higher education to the world. The institute believes that higher education is a basic human right, and seeks to empower students in advancing their education and careers. They offer customized Training Programs for corporations to scale up their businesses. 

Institute Details

Highlights

• Experienced teaching and staff
• Future-oriented IELTS program.
• Classes by Trainers Certified by the British Council.
• Sessions as per convenience.
• Consistent High scores of Band 7
• Full scored mock tests for all sections.
• Unlimited IELTS Resources.
• Computers-delivered IELTS Online presentation.

Digi Midas

Digi Midas started in the year 2015. At Digi Midas, we all come to work every day because we want to solve the biggest problem in SEO & Digital Marketing. We’re a Mumbai-based full-service Digital Marketing & SEO Agency providing the highest quality services to our clients since 2009 and have enjoyed every moment since then. Since our R&D effort of over 8 years, we have helped more than 200+ clients promote and market their websites through search engine optimization. We are not your typical SEO Company. We are a team of 10 equipped with advanced technical SEO expertise, focused on using the internet to increase our client’s business. Our clients range from a small start-ups to large size organizations. Whatever your business is, we aim to help our clients to reach their online marketing goals just like we’ve done for our clients. We pride ourselves on delivering results-driven work, fulfilling projects within budgets and given deadlines, whatever the industry is.

Institute Details

Highlights

• Hands-on training with live projects
• Updated Course Curriculum
• Placement Assistance
• Flexible Timings

Digital Edge Institute

Digital Edge Institute aims to develop amongst its students a competitive attitude along with a sound academic base with quality teaching and individual attention as its hallmark. The Academy organizes seminars and workshops with the help of experts in soft skills to train the aspirants to think, feel and express like administrators. This comprehensive approach towards preparation has received an overwhelming response and has led to the pan India presence of Digital Edge Institute.

Institute Details

Highlights

• Small batch size.
• 100% Job Assistance.
• Doubt Sessions.
• Live Projects.
• Google Certified Trainers.
• Student Friendly.

Jiva Ayurveda

Jiva Ayurvedic courses have shaped up the careers of many successful Ayurvedic professionals around the world or simply helped people learn to lead a healthy, balanced life in harmony with Ayurvedic principles. Choose from the vast array that includes online, professional, beginners, customized, and weekly intensive programs. Pick up an Ayurveda course. Whether you are a housewife, office executive, student, or a retired person, anybody can benefit from our courses.

Institute Details

Highlights

• 24x7 Online Portal
• Provider Magazine
• Provide Best Facility
• Provide Certificate

Also check: Distance Education Institutes in Nodia

Benefits of Distance Education

To do or not to do - that is the question that plagues most students who are contemplating pursuing education through distance learning. Over the years, distance education in various forms - distance learning programs from open universities, online programs, and so forth, have helped realize the educational aspirations of students who could not attend full-time and campus-based classes.

• You can pursue a job along with studies: A major chunk of students who actually opt for distance education are those who don't want to give up their jobs but want a higher education, too. Distance education comes as a blessing for such students.
•  You can save money: For any given program, the fee of a distance education degree (online or otherwise) may be much more affordable than the fee of a regular on-campus degree. 
•  You save time: There's no time wasted in going to and from college, no time wasted waiting for a bus or train. In a distance learning program, your classroom is right in your bedroom - the study material on your desk or the e-material on your computer.
• You can learn at your own pace: The prospect of going back to classroom education can be intimidating for many of us. Asking a question or revealing that you are unable to grasp a concept in class can be quite embarrassing for many students. Distance education comes to your rescue here!
• You can study whenever, wherever: Except in scenarios where you have to attend an online tutorial at a given time or a lecture through videoconferencing, you can pretty much study whenever you want to, wherever you choose to. You need not be stuck in a classroom, but can go study in your garden, on your living room couch or in the comfort of your own bed.
• Gaining recognition among employers: Distance education over the years has finally found some acceptance and recognition among employers, which is an encouraging sign. As long as the distance learning program is accredited, you need not be worried. In India, all distance education programs that are approved by the Distance Education Council (DEC) stand automatically recognized for the purpose of employment to posts and services under the Central Government. Private-sector employers also value a distance education degree now, and even encourage employees to pursue higher education along with their job so that employees can develop skills and expertise in their field of work.

Prepping for Distance Education

Before starting a distance learning program, it is important for students to prepare themselves for the specific course they are taking, as well as to consider their particular learning style and study habits.

• Course Preparation - Prior to the course's start date, students should make sure they are comfortable with the course content, expectations, and delivery methods.
• Reviewing the Course Syllabus - Students should prepare for their online courses by reviewing the syllabus and course objectives, taking note of any scheduled presentations, lectures, assignment due dates, and exam dates. Distance learning students should also familiarize themselves with the course delivery method, assignment submission process, and means of contacting the instructor and classmates.
• Reviewing Participation Expectations - Online learning programs include participation, just like traditional on-campus programs. In distance learning, participation requirements may include attending webinar lectures, taking part in online discussions, using email to stay in communication, or keeping up with required reading and assignment deadlines. Studying alone without classmates or an instructor can lead some students to feel isolated or frustrated. Students can help alleviate these feelings by logging in to the course daily, participating in group discussions, reaching out when frustrated or confused, and sending emails to share ideas and ask questions.
• Reviewing Software and Technology Requirements - Additionally, schools recommend that students get comfortable with the technology that will be used before the course begins. Students should ensure they have all the software required for class, which may include word processors, PDF readers, and browser plug-ins such as Flash or Java.
• Time Management - Because many distance learning courses are self-paced with no set schedule, time management is an important part of distance learning. Students may want to keep a calendar with assignment due dates, scheduled webinar lectures, and exam dates marked. 
• Organization - Organization of coursework, due dates, and study habits are also required for distance learning. Students are encouraged to set interim goals and deadlines and organize them into a study schedule. 
• Resilience - The key to successful preparation, participation, time management, and organization is persistence and determination. Even with the best intentions, it is easy to fall behind or miss a lecture. But, by maintaining dedication and commitment to one's educational goals, distance learning students can take advantage of a unique learning opportunity and possibly build toward a new career.

Also check: Distance Education Institutes in Mumbai

Distance Education FAQ’s

Q1. What are the most important things I can do to be successful in an online course?

Q2. Are online courses “easier” than face-to-face or hybrid courses?

Q3. How should I manage my time with an online course?

Q4. How does online education work on a day-to-day basis?

Q5. How do I know if online education is right for me?