The aiding solution that provides people with access to learning without having to leave their homes is distance education. It’s called (e-learning or online education). It refers to using the Internet to teach and learn different subjects at any time or place. Distance education was the key to this sort of education emerging as a result of the pressing need to learn and stay up with the rapid scientific and technological development of our time in order to fully utilize it.

For teachers, distance education goes further than that. Nowadays, a lot of teachers deliver lessons online using new educational technologies. These technologies have numerous advantages that simplify teachers’ lives. But there must be some drawbacks. Nonetheless, it has become clear that distance teaching has turned into a clear-cut business in Syria, where many teachers use it.

Distance Education

It is the way to go if you are a teacher or an expert in a particular field and wish to impart your knowledge to others. The tendency to create ideas that correspond to and interact with the present reality is constant. Thus, to keep up with modern reality, remote work has become a necessity in any profession.

This type of schooling first appeared around the end of the seventies of the nineteenth century. The starting point and the concept came from universities in Europe and America. It began by mailing students educational materials, which at the time took the form of books, audio cassettes, and video snippets. While university exams were still being taken on campus, this curriculum was effectively integrated and followed by the students. [1]

However, until Covid 19 emerged, most of the modern world was uncertain about distance teaching. The ongoing quarantine and the disruptions to universities and schools prompted a quest for alternative forms of instruction. Both educators and students have embraced distance education. It also provided lots of room for time management.

Advantages of Distance Education

Distance education offers several advantages and benefits, which have aided in its growth, methodological improvement, and acceptance as a trustworthy source of certification. Among its most significant and noticeable benefits:

• The significant demand for this kind of schooling among students and learners is due to its adaptability and simple arrangement.
• The ability to choose whatever place you wish to work, whether you are at home, at work, or even abroad.
• Because you don’t have to travel about or deal with traffic or bad weather, this business encourages greater productivity.
• The potential to deliver education to all students wherever they may be. In other words, the educational process has no boundaries.
• Its expenditures seem to be reasonable. All you need is a peaceful environment and a strong internet connection. Both your own computer and even your smartphone can be used to provide courses.

Challenges in Distance Education

Distance education, like other educational methods, has some challenges despite its advantages. Most of what has been observed and recorded about distance education were:

• High levels of rivalry in the industry. As many people do this as a side job to teach in their specialty in addition to being regular teachers. For instance, designers, search engine experts, translators, and content writers.
• The challenge of getting individuals to sign up for your lessons. This requires having a lot of soft talents, like communication and bargaining abilities.
• While there are fewer duties associated with traditional teaching, distance teaching requires more responsibilities. You will be in charge of planning, carrying out, and monitoring this type of activity.
• Technical proficiency is necessary for distance education because you will be interacting with many educational programs. You will also need to work with other software to set up and prepare electronic files and lectures.
• In order to succeed in distance teaching, you need to do more than just teach, that being learning self-promotion. Therefore, it’s crucial to learn how to promote yourself.

Technologies used in Distance Education

Teachers need as many teaching methods as they need. Whether these technologies are instruments for digitally arranging lessons or for communicating with students. You can use the following technologies in your distance education process: 

• Slideshare. In order to help students understand the subject matter, this application organizes courses into slideshows and presentations.
• Canva App. Using the application’s pre-made templates, you can build a wide variety of designs. You can create marketing materials for yourself using this application as well
• Distance Education Platforms. Teachers can deliver their lessons via a variety of platforms. Start with Zoom, which offers a real-time video call. Then, you can utilize stronger platforms like Tutor and Chegg for online tutoring.
• Lecture Capturing Techniques. For students, it serves as a valuable reference and increases teachers’ efficiency.
• Efficient Payment Methods. You must have a trustworthy payment method in place that you can use with students.

Syrian Distance Education in Practice

Since it is only used by a few educational platforms and organizations that have shown the value and significance of this type of education, the use of remote education in Syria is still regarded as a timid application. The Syrian Virtual University (SVU), the only university in Syria that fully integrates e-learning into its educational process, is one of these organizations. It is one of the top universities in this sector in Syria together with the Higher Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (HIAST). [2]

But everyone is aware that numerous experts offer training programs in the areas where they specialize. Many authors, programmers, and designers generate extra revenue for themselves by selling their knowledge as educational resources.

The Uplifting Syrian Women Initiative and Distance Education

Uplifting Syrian Women is an educational initiative that serves as a concrete illustration of the use of distance teaching in Syria because it provides a variety of online educational courses, workshops, conversations, and training. aiming to give all of its citizens, especially women, access to high-quality education in order to create sustainable peace in Syria.

If it is developed properly, distance education can be a lucrative industry in Syria or anyplace else on the globe. Starting out can be challenging, as you have to promote yourself. But it has established itself in the remote work industry. In the end, distance education as a method and way of learning is a necessity brought on by circumstances and progress.

Supervision: Shaza Ali- Education and discussion Departments Manager.
For contact and inquiries: shaza.ali@upliftingsyrianwomen.org

Also read:

• Role of education in Peacebuilding.
• Goal 4: Quality Education.

References: 

[1] AAU

[2] SCS