There appears to be a dominant mentality regarding learning which is not classroom based. Call it what you like; by correspondence, distance education, self-directed, e-learning. All are valid and practical ways of learning. But in the mind of many colleges and institutions, they are substitutes for classroom based learning. They are for people who cannot attend classes because they live remotely or are immobilised. Why is this? Surely aural and visual learning are not the best forms of learning for everyone? I personally find classroom learning unappealing and extremely difficult to comprehend and/or retain facts. I do however thoroughly enjoy the flexibility and freedom of distance education. I can spend as long as I wish on a particular paragraph, get sidetracked thinking how what I’m reading corresponds with what I read last month, or choose to study outside for a change.

I have asked various people what their preferred learning style is and there were several who preferred classroom because of the following reasons:

- social interaction

- professional input from lecturer

- learn quicker

- ability to ask questions and receive an answer on the spot

Then there were the people who disliked the classroom for the following reasons:

- too afraid to ask questions

- too much information at once

- slow at group interaction

- felt rushed with comprehending new concepts

- you are reading my study guide to me, I could read it myself at home

The above people didn’t think they would have the discipline to study by distance education because of needing someone to motivate them and also, not knowing how to fit work and study in a schedule successfully.

Of the people I spoke to who were studying by distance education, one had no choice because their course was only offered that way, another said it gave them the flexibility of studying when they wanted and another said it saved them travel time and was a more safety-conscious decision at night.

Then there’s me… my college offers around 4 different delivery modes; I chose the flexible delivery option - the ability to choose which subjects I study in class and the ones I study at my own pace. My reasoning for not just choosing distance education is because I would like the flexibility to choose to study the practical and professional development based subjects in class.

Having said all that, I believe there needs to be empowerment to all modes of learning. All modes have positive benefits and individuals need to be told (from an early age!) that classroom is not the only way.