In the past decade, distance education – commonly referred to as ‘distance learning’ – has become an increasingly popular way for education institutions to provide access to their programs and for students to learn about topics and get education they might not otherwise be able to pursue.
At ChI , we offer hybrid distance learning to teach students from all around the globe. Our goal is to join the best features of in-class teaching with independent learning to serve the needs of people who cannot afford to spend time on a campus regularly to take a course.
Live Instruction:
Students attend 2 to 5-day classes up on Zoom, for important interaction and instruction for the development of personal, interpersonal, and theoretical skills.
Independent study:
Between the 2 to 5-day Zoom classes, students work independently on homework, practicum, and spiritual practices as well as engaging in asynchronous course work on Moodle. They communicate with faculty and classmates via email and Moodle for information sharing and forwarding assignments.
This approach – learning in your own time and also attending live Zoom classes – makes it easier for students to participate in our education programs while balancing work and family commitments. Those who live in geographically remote areas and do not have access to similar education in their areas can participate in ChI programs without travel to Berkeley.
While hybrid distance learning may be more flexible, it is not less work than a traditional on-campus class. While each program and students schedule will differ, students can expect from 10-30 hours per month in addition to the Zoom course dates.
Thus, hybrid distance learning requires that students are extremely self-motivated and disciplined, function independently, employ strong time management skills, and be able to use Internet technology to share their work and educational experiences with others in various formats.