Today, there are many chances for those who wish to continue their education. However, nearly all require some break in one’s career in order to attend school full time.
Part-time education, that is, attending school at night or for one weekend a month, tends to drag the process out over time and puts the completion of a degree program out of reach of many people. Additionally, such programs require a fixed time commitment which can also impact negatively on one’s career and family time.
Of the many approaches to teaching and learning, however, perhaps the most flexible (灵活的) is that called distance learning. Distance learning is an educational method which allows the students the flexibility to study at his or her own pace to achieve the academic goals which are so necessary in today’s world. The time required to study may be set aside at the student’s convenience. Additionally, the student may enroll in distance learning courses from actually any place in the world, while continuing to pursue their chosen career. Individual assistance may be available via regular airmail, telephone, fax machine, teleconferencing and over the Internet.
Good distance learning programs are characterized by the inclusion of a subject evaluation tool with every subject, so a student doesn’t need to travel away from home to take a test. Another characteristic of a good distance learning program is the equivalence (等同) of the distance learning course with the same subject materials as those students taking the course on the home campus. The resultant diploma or degree should also be the same whether distance learning or on-campus study is employed. The individuality of the professor/student relationship is another characteristic of a good distance learning program. In the final analysis, a good distance learning program has a place not only for the individual student but also the company or business that wants to work in partnership with their employees for the educational benefit, professional development, and business growth of the organization. Supporting distance learning programs for their employees gives the business the advantage of retaining (留住) career-minded people while contributing to their personal and professional growth through education.
小题1:According to the passage, which of the following is NOT a disadvantage of part time education?
| A．It requires some break in one’s career. |
| B．It tends to last too long for many people to complete a degree program. |
| C．It affects one’s career. |
| D．It gives the student less time to share with the family. |
小题2: Which of the following is NOT an advantage of distance learning?
| A．The student may choose his or her own pace. |
| B．The student may study at his or her convenience. |
| C．They can pursue their chosen career while studying. |
| D．Individual assistance comes through regular airmail, telephone and fax machine. |
小题3:What benefit will distance learning program bring to a business?
| A．Attracting more talented people. |
| B．Good image of the business. |
| C．Better cooperation with universities. |
| D．Further training of employees and business growth. |
小题4: Good distance learning program have the following characteristics EXCEPT _______.
| A．distance learning course is the same as students taking courses on campus |
| B．the diploma or degree should be the same as on campus study |
| C．professor-student relationship is strictly one to one all through the course |
| D．includes subject evaluation tool |
小题5:What benefit will distance learning bring to an employee of a business?
| A．Higher salary. |
| B．Professional growth. |
| C．Good impression on the employer. |
| D．Good relationship with the employer. |
