In 1969, the establishment of The Open University forever changed higher education. Instead of students needing to experience educational achievement or even attend lectures or classes, now anyone can earn a degree from anywhere. Today, the institution has more than 180,000 students studying at the graduate, postgraduate and diploma level, and has influenced countless other universities and learning establishments to offer distance learning and home study opportunities.

In a statement to the Tivy-Side Advertiser, OU Wales director Rob Humphreys noted “the role of part-time higher education study in outwitting the recession” and highlighted the importance of abundant distance learning opportunities in a moment like this. So why is distance learning so important today?

With the global economic crisis and the “credit crunch”, the rise in layoffs has forced many people to reconsider their future career plans. One of the benefits of studying from home is the flexible time factor, which means you can choose to study full-time or part-time, and around any other commitments such as work or family. By not having to travel to conference rooms and seminars at specific times, you can embark on a learning experience that is primarily asynchronous in nature.

On top of this, the cost factor of relearning as an adult has been something that has put prospective students off for a long time. With distance education and online learning, they can save by not having to spend money on accommodation or transportation. Instead, the only costs to consider are tuition fees (which are much cheaper) and the right equipment, which will typically involve a home computer and broadband connection.

Also, aside from being educated on a subject of your choice, studying an online course is also a great opportunity to brush up on your IT skills. With the advancement of the Internet, ways of teaching and interacting with peers are constantly being informed by socio-technological trends such as social media. As a result, networking and communication methods such as wikis, forums, and blogs are becoming essential means for students to interact and reflect on work, current events, and issues. Today, social media and digital media literacy is considered a key skill in the workplace, and subsequently more companies are adopting such methods. These skills become second nature to those who study online.