Distance education (EAD) is a modern form of education that has become increasingly popular, especially in recent years, due to its flexibility and its ability to offer the same level of teaching than a traditional classroom.
These days, many people prefer to use distance education to improve themselves in areas of interest, for their training or to improve existing career skills and learn new things.
In this article, we will explore the benefits of distance education, the main areas in which it is used and the best platforms and websites that offer this type of teaching.
Advantages of distance education
This is because online higher education courses contain several types of training, such as bachelor's degree, bachelor's degree and technologist.
Distance education offers several advantages over traditional education. One of the main advantages is the flexibility it offers. As distance education is usually carried out online, this means you can access your courses and study whenever and wherever you want.
Some examples of this flexibility are that you don't have to worry about attending classes or disciplining yourself to do your homework: you can study according to your own schedule!
In addition to flexibility, distance education is also much more accessible, when it comes to financial resources. Online courses are generally cheaper than traditional education as they do not require the same infrastructure and there are no school fees.
Distance education can save money not only with the lower cost of tuition, not having to spend on transportation and meals, but also savings on the most valuable thing we have, which is our time, by not having to travel to campus every days.
Still, distance education offers you the same level of education as traditional education. You can be sure that your studies will be of the same standard of quality as if you were in the classroom. Thediploma from a distance learning course has the same validityin the face of certification from regulatory bodies.
It is also important to mention that, in some cases, distance education has more to offer than traditional education. For example, some online platforms offer courses that are more advanced than traditional education courses, and may also accommodate the hybrid category, where face-to-face classes are interspersed with online classes.
Main areas of distance education
Distance education can be used to improve existing skills or to develop new skills in a variety of areas. Some of the main areas in which distance education is used are:
1. Continuing Education
Continuing education is the process of acquiring information and knowledge in a specific area, usually for professional purposes. Specific for people who want to improve their career, such as postgraduate degrees, master's degrees and other complementary courses.
2. Business and Finance
Distance education is also used to improve and develop skills related to business and finance. For example, people who want to learn more about personal finance, marketing or how to run a business can take courses in this modality.
Plus, many of these courses are offered in video format, which means you can watch them whenever and wherever you want.
3. Personal Development
Distance education is also used to help people improve their soft skills. People who want to work on improving their self-confidence, communication, or leadership can take online courses to develop these skills. These courses can also help people work on their fears, overcome their limits and achieve their goals.
Best Platforms and Websites for Distance Education
There are many platforms and websites that offer distance education courses with quality content. Some of the main foreign platforms are:
1. Coursera – from Stanford University
Coursera offers online courses created by renowned universities and other academic institutions. Courses are offered in various areas, such as business, health, science and technology. Classes are taught by experienced instructors and you can complete the courses by receiving certificates of completion.
2. Udemy – for learning and teaching
Based in California, Udemy is an online learning platform that offers courses in areas such as technology, personal development, marketing and finance. Courses are created by experienced instructors and offer high-quality learning materials and videos. Furthermore, the courses are also available at affordable prices.
3. edX – from Harvard University
edX is an online learning platform that offers courses created by Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Courses are offered in areas such as science, technology, humanities and business. Courses are taught by experienced instructors and offer the same level of teaching as a traditional university course.
The best distance learning colleges in Brazil
The distance learning model has grown a lot in recent years. According to the latest 2020 Census released by the National Institute of Educational Studies and Research (Inep), the growth of undergraduate courses in this modality increased by almost 30% in this period.
Best distance learning colleges in Brazil according to MEC
The evaluation of the MEC in educational institutions takes into account two criteria: IGC (General Course Index) and the CI (Institutional Concept). Grades are applied from 1 to 5, with a minimum score of 3 for the institution to meet the quality standards of the Ministry of Education (MEC).
Faculties with a maximum score of 5 in the IGC and CI indexes
Public institutions include:
- Federal University of Lavras – UFLA
- Federal University of São Paulo – UNIFESP
- Federal University of Rio De Janeiro – UFRJ
Among private institutions:
- Brazilian University Center – UNIBRA
- Brazilian School of Economics and Finance – FGV EPGE
- São Paulo School of Economics – EESP
- São Paulo Law School – FGV Direito
- Faculdade Ari de Sá – FAS
- Faculty of Medical Sciences of Santa Casa São Paulo – FCMSCSP
- Faculty of Law of Vitória FDV
- Fucape College – FUCAPE
- Jesuit Faculty of Philosophy and Theology – FAJE
- São Leopoldo Mandic College – MANDIC
Colleges that received a score of 5 in the IGC and 4 in the CI
Public institutions include:
- Fundação Universidade Federal do ABC Ufabc
- Padre Gervásio National Institute of Higher Education and Postgraduate Studies After Private
- Federal University of Santa Catarina Ufsc
- Federal University of São Carlos Ufscar
- Federal University of Viçosa UFV
- Federal University of Paraná UFPR Federal University of Rio Grande Do Sul UFRGS
Among private institutions:
- Catholic College of Rio Grande Do Norte
- Faculdade de Balsas – UNIBALSAS
- College of Castelo – MULTIVIX CASTELO
- Faculty of Technology Saint Paul
- Faculdade Escola Paulista de Direito – FACEPD
- Faculdade Fipecafi – FIPECAFI
Colleges that received a grade of 5 in the IGC and a 3 in the CI
- Curitiba Christian College FCC
- Faculty of Theology of SP – Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil
- College Multivix Cariacica – MULTIVIX CARIAC
- College Multivix São Mateus – MULTIVIX SÃO MATEUS
- EST Colleges – EST
Other options include solid professional training, which did not achieve maximum marks, but with excellent cost-benefit:
- Anhanguera Colleges
- Unopar – Northern University of Paraná
- Estacio – Estácio de Sá University
- FMU – University Center
- Unicsul – Cruzeiro do Sul University.
In conclusion
Distance education has, however, come to offer enormous flexibility, accessibility and equivalent levels of education. It can be used to enhance existing skills or to develop new skills in areas such as continuing education, finance and personal development.
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