Finland, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Great Britain with its education system. Each of these countries has its own history, cultural traditions and customs, which are directly reflected in all spheres of society, including in the educational sphere. Therefore, when choosing a state for distance learning, it will be necessary to take into account these features.

Despite the specific features in the education system of the above states, they also have much in common, which distinguishes them favorably from Asian, Western and other European states. Among the advantages of distance learning programs of leading European countries are the following:

• many years of experience in the field of remote e - education ;
• rich information base;
• availability of educational centers in other developed countries of the world;
• recognition of diplomas all over the world;
• the use of modern multimedia technologies in education, including computer networks and satellite television;
• an established system for distributing files, establishing feedback and attesting students;
• qualified personnel;
• high quality knowledge.

After distance learning in Europe, you will be able to get a university degree, which will make it easier to start building a business career.

Features of education in developed countries of Europe

Distance education in universities of European countries has specific differences compared to education in universities in Russia or the CIS countries.

The first distinguishing feature is the conditions of admission. In order to enter a European university, you must be fluent in a foreign language, or rather a foreign language of the state in which you intend to enter. Entrance exams, as a rule, are not passed - only the language proficiency test is passed. It is preferable to learn English, as it is a generally recognized international language.

Even countries such as Germany, Spain, Finland, and a number of other states, in addition to programs in the national language, have developed and implemented training programs in English. Please note that English-speaking students will always find a place within the walls of any higher educational institution in Europe!

The second distinguishing feature lies in the methods of remote teaching. For example, Germany places great emphasis on the use in teaching: audio and video, printed materials, various multimedia resources. Studying in Germany remotely, students prefer the following specialties:

• legal;
• informational;
• medical;
• electrotechnical.

Among the huge number of universities, it is worth highlighting the Institute of Distance Education in Hagen, with a rich information base and 25 years of experience in the field of e-learning.

Spain, in addition to providing applicants with a large number of humanitarian and technical specialties, has a high level of feedback, regardless of the location of the student. Having accumulated 20 years of experience, Spain is ready to offer students a quality education using modern methods of knowledge transfer.

The main emphasis of Spanish universities is on the use of available software in the educational process: Linux, Moodle, Open Office, Google Docs, etc.

France is a country that took 3rd place in Europe in terms of the intensity of the development of e-education, pays great attention to the information support of applicants. Recently, training courses in English have been actively introduced into the curricula.

Education takes place through the practical application of information technology in education and interactive television. In addition, during the training, various presentations, video cassettes, and videos are sent to students.

Modern opportunities for distance learning

We live in an amazing time with unique opportunities. The Internet opens before us boundless information horizons. Modern technologies allow you to expand your education from anywhere in the world.

If earlier our person could combine work and distance learning in one of the domestic universities, this was already a victory. Now everything has changed dramatically. We can get decent distance education, and distance education in European universities.

Distance education is now very popular, such a kind of trend. They write about it, talk about it, discuss it in various TV shows, forums and home kitchens.

The difference between distance education and distance learning

What is this distance education and what is the difference between it and correspondence education? Many consider these concepts synonymous, but this is not entirely true.

So, distance education today has touched almost all levels of education, ranging from free online courses or English courses in Europe, to higher education and even a degree.

Correspondence education is fundamentally different from distance learning in its approach. Correspondence education implies reading lectures during a certain period, when a student is forced to attend sessions at an educational institution, take them and communicate with a teacher, he has the opportunity only at these intervals.

In Ukraine, for example, such a form as correspondence education is more common. It is closer, more comfortable and familiar to us.

Distance education is a constant tandem of a student and a teacher, they can be constantly in touch on the Internet, discuss some issues, move on. It is also possible, while receiving education via the Internet, to communicate online with your classmates and discuss the material being studied, being anywhere in the world. This is very convenient, especially if you decide to take distance learning abroad. Such a system allows you to save money on travel, accommodation, visas, etc., but at the same time guarantees a higher quality of education.

A student can receive their assignments in various ways, including:

• mail - telephone (case technology). The student receives his assignments and sends those already completed by mail. Teacher's advice can be obtained by phone or in special training centers;
• the use of television and satellite technologies is not very popular due to the high price and shortcomings associated with feedback;
• studying through the Internet and everything connected with it (social networks, e-mail, websites and other resources).

Second higher education remotely

Thus, distance learning abroad can take place in different ways. Either, sooner or later, the student must attend a university and pass the relevant exams, tests and defend a diploma, or complete training via the Internet. Experts advise in any case not to receive the first higher education in this way. Distance learning requires a lot of self-organization and focus, which is often lacking for young people who do not yet have experience in education. But the second higher education remotely is a very profitable process. At the same time, you can get a new, more popular specialty, get such a coveted European diploma, save time and money for training. You can also remotely complete a master's program and get (2)

Who benefits from distance education?

We recommend paying attention to
distance education next
population groups:

1. Housewives or young mothers who are on maternity leave. When caring for a baby, you will be able to allocate time for independent study of subjects, while you do not need to go anywhere and waste precious time. This is a great way not to fall out of life, to improve your skills and self-esteem.
2. Working and employees who cannot afford not to work.
3. Young people, graduates of secondary and higher educational institutions who have to work, but want to improve their educational level.

Briefly about us:

Distance education, which many people did not even hear about ten years ago, is gaining more and more popularity. Even the world's leading universities, including Yale, Cambridge and Oxford, offer students around the world to take advantage of this form of education. And this makes the dream of obtaining a prestigious education for hundreds of thousands of young people quite feasible. In addition, in this way you can get a second higher education, learn foreign languages ​​at the highest level, and improve your skills.

Distance learning options abroad:

• obtaining a bachelor's or master's degree;
• training;
• courses in various disciplines developed by the world's leading universities.

How does the learning process take place?

Students receive a personal password, which gives unlimited access to the necessary educational materials. In the learning process, programs are used that consist of video lectures, tutorials, topics for independent work, tests and have been specially designed taking into account all the intricacies of distance learning. Often there is the possibility of personal communication with teachers via Skype or e-mail. At the end of each course, you must take a final test or exam. At the end of the entire course of study, you must personally come to the university and pass a qualifying exam.

Advantages of distance learning abroad

Prestigious international diploma

Such a diploma opens many doors and expands horizons, but only a few have the opportunity to study at a university in Europe or the USA on a full-time basis. At the same time, the reason is not only the complexity of the entrance exams, but also the high cost of education, the need to move abroad for the entire period of study.

Quality education, access to exclusive educational materials

The educational process will be coordinated by the world's leading teachers, students receive recordings of lectures that they give in full-time education, numerous tests and tests will help to constantly monitor the level of their knowledge.

Independent choice of duration and training program

Distance learning students are given a unique opportunity to independently plan the educational process, set the pace of learning, devote more time and effort to the most important topics and disciplines.

Opportunity to work in the learning process and pay for the learning process

Disadvantages of distance learning abroad:

Difficulties in admission

It is quite difficult to enter a foreign university, even if it is a distance learning program. Good academic performance is important, often recommendations from teachers or teachers, personal achievements in the chosen field may be required. Knowledge of the language must be at the highest level.

High cost of education

If we talk about prestigious universities in Europe and the USA, the cost of distance learning sometimes exceeds the cost of full-time education at a Russian university.

Lack of strict control by teachers

Many will decide that this cannot be called a disadvantage, but often excessive freedom discourages the student, he begins to devote less time to study. The result is expulsion or a low level of knowledge. Therefore, for successful distance learning abroad, you need motivation and a clear understanding that it is you who need good knowledge, and not teachers. And it is important not only to get a diploma, but also to take maximum knowledge in the learning process.

Choosing an educational institution and the procedure for admission

If you think that distance education abroad is exactly what you need, then carefully approach the choice of an educational institution. In many ways, it will depend on the program of study (bachelor, master, advanced training, courses), your financial capabilities, and the chosen program.

Having made a choice, visit the website of the educational institution and carefully study the requirements that apply to applicants, as well as the list of required documents.

In most cases, you will need to prove your level of language proficiency by obtaining an international certificate (for example, TOEFL).

Also prepare a certificate of complete secondary education, a university diploma, if any, fill out the application accordingly, and attach information about personal achievements and letters of recommendation.

You can always get up-to-date information on admission on the official website of the university. It is advisable to start preparing for admission in advance. Contact the educational institution in advance and clarify all controversial issues, prepare for entrance examinations, if any, collect a package of documents. If necessary, set aside time to bring your knowledge of the language to the proper level, otherwise you simply will not be able to master the curriculum.

Natalya Glukhova

Pros and cons of education in Europe

14/05 2017

Good afternoon friends!
An important topic for young people is education in Europe. It seems that this is some kind of unrealistically complex event. In fact, everything is much simpler.

Europe will gladly accept students from other countries, and in some universities education is free.

From this article you will learn:

Which countries offer good education?

european school

Our approach is not the same as in other countries. It's a completely different education system. Coming to school, many children at first do not understand how it works. For example:

1. Children have more independence. Especially in choosing what you want to do. Already from high school they are distributed according to profile classes. Why should a child with artistic inclinations, the ability to sing and musical instruments learn heavy mathematics, physics? These items are also given, but a light version, there is no in-depth study.
2. Lessons often take the form of a debate. You can argue, even with a teacher, to prove your point of view.
3. If the opportunity to visit a variety of circles, sections. There is no principle of "started to work - bring it to the end."
4. Children from primary school need to do design work, research. They study a certain subject consciously and independently.
5. Admission based on the results of examinations at school. Almost such a system we now have with the Unified State Examination.
6. You choose a set of subjects to study for each semester.

The European system aims to make learning interesting for children.
I will tell you about the possibilities, and you choose where the conditions are best for you personally.

European schools

Let's start with school education.

Spain

Here they study from 6 to 18 years old, but only up to 16 years old. Further - at will. There is an opportunity to continue your studies at the university - 2 years, and you have a bachelor's degree in your pocket. Here children are taught logic.

History, literature, art of the 18th century are connected. It makes no sense to study 3 separate subjects if everything can be considered in a complex.

Parents prefer private or semi-private schools. The government ones are full of migrants who don't speak Spanish well. This significantly reduces the level of the entire class.

Finland

It's generally interesting here. There is no clear division into lessons of 45 minutes. There is no timetable either, but there is one learning space. The teacher is guided by the mood of the class. Children are active - let's do something creative.

Finnish schoolchildren

A literature lesson can be easily translated into a conversation about the world around us, and it smoothly flows into mathematics. A chemistry lesson can take only 20 minutes, and then the class really wants to do astronomy, talk about the stars. This lesson will take 1-1.5 hours.

Required - 4 foreign languages ​​​​to choose from. Secondary education is considered weak. Universities provide in-depth study. But the children are calm, sure, there is no suffering due to bad grades. And yes, they don't really rate it. All the good guys here. I wrote more about this in a previous one.

Italy

Here the scheme is as follows: 5 + 3 + 5 = 13 years. The first 5 years - elementary school, then 3 years of secondary and 5 years - lyceum. After that it's university.

It's boring for children to sit still for 45 minutes. And cramming math or your native language is even more boring. Teachers with elementary school children play educational games, visit museums, excursions, trips to nature almost every day. It manages to squeeze a couple of hours of math between all of this.

The main thing is that the school does not cause feelings of despondency. This is a cheerful team, teachers do not scold, but help and praise. But they have a lot of homework. These are tasks for every day, for the summer. The child learns independence. The school gives the material - the child works out at home.

France

For Russian children, French is very unusual. On the one hand - a lot of free time, interesting projects. The school is going on, but the child does not feel much pressure. We are used to the fact that teachers shout, put deuces, call their parents.

France, elementary school

Attitude towards the student is equal. There is a project for the whole semester, for example. Need advice - the teacher is ready to help, suggest, sit after class. But then - ask in full.

Exams are held every day, it is simply unrealistic to prepare. You need to develop knowledge in advance every day, do not skip. Studying in a good lyceum is not the cheapest, so for parents it is always a big problem if a child is expelled.

universities in Europe

But, you still have to come to the interview. European universities have quotas for foreign students. Of course, first their own students, and then foreigners for the remaining places.

Stages of higher education

Usually, by the age of 18, school education ends. From this age, a young person has the right to enter a university. Further:

• 3-4 years Bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Science degree). This is where many stop;
• 1 year master's degree (master's degree);
• 3-4 years Doctor of Sciences.

You will spend at least 6 years in a beautiful European city! I think that in itself is a great motivation.

Exams

The system is similar, but not the same as ours.

1. exams must be passed;
2. this is not a formality, a small conversation and an assessment in a grade book;
3. no "automatic";
4. the examiner asks a variety of questions, there are no tickets as such;
5. there is no such evaluation division as we have.

You need to pass the exam, go to the next semester. Passed on the "three", "four" or "five" does not really matter. Of course, "excellent students" are held in high esteem everywhere. Here the struggle for knowledge, not for the mark.

Studying well is the main task of the student himself. Good students receive recommendations later, it is easier for them to find a job.

In Germany, for example, the ratings are "0" - excellent, "1" - good, "2" - satisfactory.

For example, a student of medicine with an average score will never qualify for a good training program in a first-class European hospital.

I think the cheapest option is Italy and the Czech Republic. In Italy, the cost of studying at a public university is 500-800 euros per semester. For example, at the University of Milan. This is one of the oldest in Italy, and indeed in all of Europe.

At the University of Bologna, you can unlearn language courses. This will prepare the student for a new form of education, and the language will tighten up. Good option, right? And then you can do it right here.

Cons of European education

Of course, there are also disadvantages. Delivery is a kind of contract. You get the opportunity to study, train, live in the country. You get a visa for the entire period of study, which means you can move freely within the Schengen area.

But this comes with a few downsides:

1. most often the hostel is not provided to foreigners. You will have to look for an apartment, a room, an option with a settlement. Rarely does anyone end up on a student campus. Renting apartments for 2-3 people comes out at 250-300 euros at best. Somewhere all 500 euros per month;
2. visas for students exclude the possibility of employment. You can earn money at the institute. For example, in the library, canteen, in the departments. This is a small income, but still;
3. You have to pay for textbooks. This is from 20 to 70 euros for 1 textbook. Some can be borrowed from the library, and some are cheaper to copy. This is a big minus - new books are expensive;
4. your visa is valid while you are studying. After graduation, that's all. Or you managed to find a job, you got an invitation - then you can prepare documents for a residence permit, for example. Or they found their soul mate, again a residence permit by marriage, a bride/groom visa. It's not rare, you know. Read more about this in the section for each country separately.

For 3-5 years in the country, you can understand how and what functions. Getting an education, finding a job is real. This is your new life, you need to try to find your way, a new life from the first day.

Over the past few years, the idea of ​​distance education (DL) has been booming. There are reasons for this. Undoubtedly, the main driver of DL is the development of computer technology and, more importantly, the development of communication technologies. In addition, DL has a number of advantages over traditional types of education: it is relatively cheap (no need to keep an impressive staff of teachers - millions of students in all corners of the globe can listen to one lecture at the same time, there is no need for huge lecture rooms), as well as mobility - the opportunity to make the necessary changes and additions to the training program in a short time. Based on this, we can conclude that this type of training is accessible to a large number of people. All that is needed is a multimedia computer with appropriate software and access to the Internet (preferably a permanent connection). Now these requirements are no longer feasible. In addition, DL is international: you can, for example, get a college degree from Duke University's Fuqua School of Business without leaving your apartment. Naturally, knowledge of the English language is necessary for learning (well, where without it ...). According to scientists, it is distance education (in combination with traditional forms of study) that will prevail in the next century - it is not for nothing that it is called "education of the future".

To date, there are two concepts for organizing the distance education system: North American and European.

Distance learning in the USA

In the mid-1960s, some American engineering colleges began to use television to provide training courses to employees of nearby corporations. In 1984, these programs led to the formation of the National Technological University (NTU). By 1991, it had grown into a consortium of 40 university engineering schools headquartered in Fort Collins, Colorado. In the early 1990s, more than 1,000 students, with the active participation of corporate employers, studied NTU's engineering degree programs remotely. Many of the NTU master's degree holders said they couldn't have done it any other way. The experience of NTU has been studied and recommended as a model for an international e-university.

More than a million students are now enrolled in distance education programs in the United States, taking courses through the Public Broadcasting System (PBS-TV) since 1989. The program offers courses in various fields of science, business, management. The training courses, delivered through four educational channels, are available throughout the country and (via satellite) in other countries.

The DL systems of the individual states are of paramount importance. Many of them are also based on satellite teleconferencing classrooms deployed at the turn of the 1980s and 1990s. As a rule, they include one or two classes at the main university or college, where teachers teach classes, and a number of classes at various points in the state (from four to 16), where distance learning groups study. Recently, the use of computer networks in DOs has become more widespread, providing similar capabilities, but at a much lower price. In general, the use of the latest technical means in the learning process can be considered a distinctive feature of the North American concept of organizing distance education.

Distance learning in Europe

In Europe, distance education is mainly developed by "open" universities, which are funded by the government. Initially, the European organization of distance education, which appeared in the UK in the late 60s, was largely similar to the Soviet system of correspondence education. The difference was that the training was organized as close as possible to the students' place of residence, where they studied independently using special aids; accordingly, there was no need for long separations of students from their main activities. In addition, the most important role in the learning process was assigned to "tutors" (auxiliary teachers), who, living close to students, had to advise them in the learning process, conduct seminars, Sunday schools, etc. Some of the courses were organized using television and radio . Recently, modern computer and communication technologies have been increasingly used in European DL, so that the purely technological difference between North American and European DL organizations is blurring. E-higher education programs are being developed in more than 30 countries, including third world countries.

On the whole, DL in Europe received intensive development in the early 1970s and was associated with the creation of a number of Open Universities (DL Universities).
In the UK, more than 50% of Master's degree programs in management are conducted using DL methods. The leading European organization in this field is the British Open University's Open School of Business. In DL systems that do not use the feedback principle, the information necessary for conducting lectures, seminars and other types of classes is usually centrally recorded on a video cassette or video disk. Additionally, audio recordings and data recordings on magnetic disks can be used. Further, these materials are sent (including using computer networks) directly to educational institutions, where they are used during training sessions.

Along with programs designed for a mass audience, targeted cycles of lectures and classes have become widespread, allowing students to receive an appropriate diploma, certificate, etc. after completing the course, passing exams. One example of the implementation of such a direction of distance education is the television courses of the Baltic University (THE BALTIC UNIVERSITY). Created in Sweden, it brings together more than fifty universities in the Baltic region. Using satellite television systems (STV), students and scientists from 10 countries have the opportunity to make scientific and educational contacts on topics of common interest. In 1991-1992, such a topic was the problem of protecting the environment of the Baltic region (The Baltic Sea Environment), and in 1993-1994 - the problems of the development of the peoples of the Baltic region (Peoples of the Baltic).

Many people think that DL is a kind of distance learning. In principle, they are right, since the student receives the necessary knowledge without leaving home. However, DL is somewhat different from the usual correspondence form of education.

According to the definition of the State Committee of the Russian Federation for Higher Education, distance education is understood as a complex of educational services provided to the general population in the country and abroad with the help of a specialized information and educational environment at any distance from educational institutions. The information and educational environment of distance education is a systematically organized set of data transmission tools, information resources, interaction protocols, hardware, software, organizational and methodological support, focused on meeting the educational needs of users. In other words, DL is a new organization of the educational process, based on the principle of independent student learning. The learning environment is characterized by the fact that students are mostly, and often completely distant from the teacher in space and (or) time, but they have the opportunity to maintain a dialogue at any time using telecommunications.

One of the characteristic features of this type of training is its flexibility. Students generally do not attend regular classes in the form of lectures and seminars, but work at a convenient time for them in a convenient place and at a convenient pace, which is a great advantage for those who cannot or do not want to change their usual way of life. The purpose of training is, first of all, the acquisition by students of certain knowledge and skills. All normally developed people can achieve the same results in the acquisition of knowledge, only some will need less time for this, and others more. Distance learning is focused specifically on achieving a certain result. Since abilities are determined by the measure of assimilation by the student of the amount of information per unit of time, such individualization of training in time allows us to come to a situation where all students will achieve approximately the same success, acquire approximately the same knowledge and skills, but at different times. This will guarantee the level of preparation necessary for the study of subsequent material.

Distance learning is based primarily on the student's independent work, which requires him to be highly organized. For admission, the student does not formally require any educational qualification. Everyone can study as much as he needs to master the subject and receive the necessary credits in the chosen courses. The basis of distance education programs is a modular principle. The entire course of study consists of separate independent courses (modules) that form the curriculum. This allows for effective testing of the student at each stage of training, as well as the selection of an individual program for each student.

Presentation of information for trainees is carried out in the form:

• printed materials (educational and methodological sets of literature and assignments);
• electronic materials (computer educational environments, databases, knowledge banks, electronic textbooks, electronic libraries with remote access);
• audio and video products;
• television broadcasts.

Problems before

The development of a fundamentally new direction in education cannot but face serious problems. This is especially true for DOs in our country. There are quite a lot of problems: methods are poorly developed, the technology of the educational process itself is not debugged, and finally, there is no funding. It must be remembered that training must be effective in any case, whether it be full-time, part-time or distance learning. Education should bring not only "crust", but also knowledge. The following problems can be identified when choosing distance learning:

1. The problem of course equivalence and recognition of distance education levels by classical universities. As mentioned above, in Russia this education system is quite new and is, if not at the stage of “study”, then at the stage of “genesis” (by trial and error).

2. The problem of mutual recognition of diplomas, certificates, training programs. This problem is especially acute in the export (import) of education. The Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation has developed the main standards for distance learning. Thus, training using distance technology should include the implementation of all control measures and laboratory and practical work provided for by the state educational standard of secondary or higher vocational education and an exemplary curriculum for the corresponding area of ​​​​training or specialty.

3. Language problem in the export (import) of education. You need to understand that, choosing an educational institution in one of the Western countries, you will have to study in the language of this country or in English. Ignorance of the language will automatically block your path to this university.

4. The problem of communications and standards. This is especially typical for our country, since the level of development of telecommunication technologies lags behind developed Western countries. All this affects the quality of the services provided and can sometimes make the learning process itself impossible. For example, if your chosen educational institution teaches classes via videoconferencing, and you use a modem to access the Internet, then most likely you will have to refuse the chosen course, since watching a lecture will most likely become an impossible task.

5. Time difference over large areas. This will become especially relevant if you choose one of the American educational institutions for education and training or testing will take place in real time. In this case, you will have no time to sleep.

6. The issue of the quality of courses and software, educational standards. In contrast to traditional types of education, the history of distance education dates back decades. Therefore, it takes time to improve methods, train teaching staff, and develop the necessary software. At the moment, there are not enough developments to put DL as opposed to full-time or part-time types of education.

Today, many of the distance education courses offered in Russia do not live up to our expectations, as they are just a kind of “race” for fashion or an attempt to get government funding. Not only state educational institutions, but also various non-profit organizations became interested in this form of training, so it is not always possible to count on obtaining a state-recognized certificate upon completion of such training.

Well-known Russian universities are already taking the first steps in this area and very successfully. An example is the Institute of Distance Education MESI (provides training in the following specialties: management, finance and credit, accounting and auditing, statistics, jurisprudence) (http://www.ido.ru). Also, some Western universities open representative offices in our country. Representative offices are opened either independently (the Open University of Great Britain - The Open University), or on the basis of Russian educational institutions. Thus, this year the World Technological University (http://www.wtu.edu.ru) was created on the basis of Russian and international universities. Education at VTU is conducted in the most promising areas - computer science, new trends in mechanical engineering, mechanics and modeling of technological processes, foreign languages, management, etc. One of the forms of education at this university is distance learning. Having successfully completed VTU, the student receives documents on education, the forms and content of which are approved by UNESCO.

Today, the development of distance education in Russia, as well as throughout the world, is proceeding at a rapid pace. So far, DL remains rather an exotic way of learning. First of all, this is due to the lack of a coordinated policy between various educational institutions practicing this form of education. This affects a large number of various methods and programs, which makes it even more difficult to choose in favor of distance education. But it is quite possible that in a few years we will not perceive distance education as a non-traditional type of education, and it will become a worthy alternative to full-time and part-time education.

ComputerPress 9 "1999