Distance Learning Disadvantages

1. Introduction

The world is becoming increasing globalised and technology is eliminating the restrictions that have plagued traditional service delivery, including how people access education. It is due to this that open and distance learning (ODL) is becoming one of the most rapidly growing areas of education (Ravhudzulo, 2014: 27). The advantages and disadvantages of ODL have been researched and discussed by many education and psychology scholars (Sahin & Shelly, 2008: 217).

ODL, particularly in higher education and training, is intended to make education accessible to a diverse range of people regardless of their location. Although ODL has been widely lauded as the future of education, literature still emphasises that further research

It is believed that the concept of distance education, commonly known as correspondence education, began in England in 1844 when Isaac Pitman offered a shorthand course through correspondence, enabled by the postal system and rail system (Tait, 2003: 1). However, some scholars argue that the earliest documented instance of modern distance learning can be traced back to the 18th century when Caleb Phillips placed an advertisement in the Boston Gazette offering weekly lessons for a new method of shorthand via correspondence (Baloyi, 2012: 15). Although ODL and distance learning are used interchangebly in literature, they have distinct and different meanings. According to Belawati and Baggaley (in Baloyi, 2012: 15), not all institutions offering distance learning are considered ODL institutions, but all ODL institutions are regarded as distance learning

The use of technology in ODL can be used to facilitate the delivery of course material, and enhance the learning process (Baloyi, 2012: 20). The use of technology in ODL opens up the opportunity to make quality and equitable education accessible. This means that technology can be applied as a tool to help develop high-order thinking, creativity, and research skills among students (Robinson, 2008, cited in Baloyi, 2012: 19). Some of the benefits of using technology as a means of student support in ODL are that technology can facilitate collaboration between students; it can bridge the gap between traditionally expensive face to face institutions and the students who cannot afford to attend these institutions (Baloyi, 2012: