Learning by Ear: MP3 Players Boost Distance Education

Students of all ages are taking advantage of the benefits of online classes, like flexible scheduling and remote participation. Now students can take advantage of distance education whether or not they're enrolled in an online class--by listening to books and lectures on MP3 players.
If you're interested in distance education, grab an MP3 player and download a few books or Spanish classes. You'll see that learning on the go offers an ease and efficiency not found in the traditional class environment.

Put Your iPod to Work

According to USA Today, the number of people who listen to educational materials by MP3 is growing, and the companies that produce such materials are taking note. What does this mean for the field of distance learning and online classes? It's one more way to take your education with you.
For example, thanks to an $11,000 grant from Tidewater Community College in Southeastern Virginia, Spanish teacher Kathy O'Connor was able to lend her students MP3 players so that they could listen to and practice Spanish conversations.
The growing trend of distance education by ear expands the accessibility of online programs. Students can now download class notes or recorded lectures and review material at the laundromat, in the car, or even at the beach.

A Distance Learning Edge

If getting your degree without a campus commute or classroom schedule sounds too good to be true, it's time to pay attention to the distance learning opportunities made possible by today's advanced technologies.
Find an online education program that offers appealing topics. Before long, you could pursue your education while strolling through a park--with earphones on, of course.
Source:
USA Today, "Companies mine growth of MP3 homework"

BJ Fairfax holds a bachelor's degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She writes for a variety of print and online publications.