This is what we will present to you in this article. With the increasing popularity of Turkish universities and their rise in global rankings, questions about distance learning in Turkey have grown. In addition, alongside the rapid technological advancements seen in the world today, many Turkish universities have sought to keep pace with this progress by offering the possibility of virtual distance education. In this article, Skyline Education will introduce you to the opportunity of distance learning in Turkey and highlight the leading universities that provide this type of education.
The Concept of Distance Learning
The term distance learning refers to the new generation of teaching and learning methods created by technological advancements and digital transformations around the world. It means the ability to receive lessons online without the need to go to the university and attend lectures in person. The complete academic content for the chosen field of study will be fully available on the university’s website, and synchronous lectures will be delivered online, which the student can attend in real time and interact with the instructor directly. In addition, these lectures will be uploaded as asynchronous recordings on the website so that the student can refer back to them at any time and watch them again. All courses and curricula will also be uploaded and made available to the student, with assignments and projects submitted online, providing greater freedom in learning and the possibility to work and study simultaneously, among many other advantages.
Distance Learning in Turkish Universities
Turkish universities have recently become among the most prominent institutions around the world and have achieved many advanced global rankings. This is due to the efforts these universities make to enhance the educational experience by updating curricula in line with international standards, benefiting from the experiences of advanced universities and replicating their models, and providing all the necessary educational infrastructure including facilities, research centers, information centers, and more.
As part of their efforts to keep up with the latest developments and innovations in teaching and learning methods, some Turkish universities have started offering certain academic disciplines through distance learning. They do so by providing specialized online platforms that allow for interactive lectures between the instructor and students, answering questions, submitting and evaluating assignments, and administering tests. In addition, all academic materials and curricula are made available to students on these online platforms, with recordings of the lectures uploaded so that they can be watched at any time. These platforms also offer students access to numerous paid academic references as well as free subscriptions to many well-known educational platforms.
Turkish Universities That Offer Distance Learning
Turkish universities have not lagged behind in keeping pace with the digital revolution by providing digital learning platforms and offering the study of various disciplines through distance learning. Among the leading universities in this field are:
- Middle East Technical University (Ortadoğu Teknik Üniversitesi)
- Istanbul Yeni Yüzyıl University (İstanbul Yeni Yüzyıl Üniversitesi)
- Istanbul University (İstanbul Üniversitesi)
- Ankara University (Ankara Üniversitesi)
- Anadolu University (Anadolu Üniversitesi)
- Gazi University (Gazi Üniversitesi)
- Dokuz Eylül University (Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi)
- Marmara University (Marmara Üniversitesi)
- Çukurova University (Çukurova Üniversitesi)
- Atatürk University (Atatürk Üniversitesi)
- Selçuk University (Selçuk Üniversitesi)
- Karadeniz Technical University (Karadeniz Teknik Üniversitesi)
- Gaziantep University (Gaziantep Üniversitesi)
- Sakarya University (Sakarya Üniversitesi)
- Akdeniz University (Akdeniz Üniversitesi)
- TOBB University of Economics and Technology (TOBB Ekonomi ve Teknoloji Üniversitesi)
- Süleyman Demirel University (Süleyman Demirel Üniversitesi)
- Çankaya University (Çankaya Üniversitesi)
- Mersin University (Mersin Üniversitesi)
- Yüzüncü Yıl University (Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi)
- Istanbul Bilgi University (İstanbul Bilgi Üniversitesi)
- Kocaeli University (Kocaeli Üniversitesi)
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University (Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi)
- Yeditepe University (Yeditepe Üniversitesi)
- Başkent University (Başkent Üniversitesi)
- Atılım University (Atılım Üniversitesi)
- Istanbul Aydın University (İstanbul Aydın Üniversitesi)
- İnönü University (İnönü Üniversitesi)
- Bahçeşehir University (Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi)
- Dicle University (Dicle Üniversitesi)
- Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University (Muğla Sıtkı Koçman Üniversitesi)
- Trakya University (Trakya Üniversitesi)
- Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University (Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi)
- Erzincan University (Erzincan Üniversitesi)
- İzmir Ekonomi University (İzmir Ekonomi Üniversitesi)
- Kırıkkale University (Kırıkkale Üniversitesi)
Also read: Report on the Number of Foreign Students in Turkey
Also read: Student Document in Turkey
Advantages of Distance Learning
Distance learning is no longer just a concept or a mere idea; it has become a living reality due to the many advantages it offers, including:
- Lower Costs of Distance Learning: Compared to the costs of traditional education, students residing in Turkey save on transportation, time, and effort, while foreign students save on travel and living expenses. Likewise, universities reduce costs related to services, building and hall rentals, and other expenses.
- The Possibility to Study from Anywhere: Since the academic materials for virtual disciplines are available on the university’s website, students can access and study them from anywhere around the globe. However, it should be noted that some distance learning programs require exams to be conducted at designated centers.
- No Fixed Study Time: Lectures are uploaded on the website, allowing students to watch them at any time and replay them as often as desired, ensuring they do not miss any information.
- Reduced Social Interaction: This minimizes social mixing, which can lead to the spread of diseases—a significant concern during the COVID-19 outbreak.
- The Possibility to Work and Study Simultaneously: A student can work during the day and study at night, or vice versa, or even allocate specific days for studying, thus enjoying great flexibility in organizing their time.
- Time and Effort Savings: There is no doubt that distance learning saves a significant amount of time and effort for the student.
Disadvantages of Distance Learning
Alongside the many advantages of distance learning, there are also some drawbacks, including:
- Loss of Social Interaction Opportunities: No matter how interactive and lively distance learning is, it cannot replicate the dynamic interaction experienced by students in traditional classroom settings.
- Numerous Distractions: A student studying remotely may face many distractions that are typically absent in the calm environment of traditional lecture halls.
- Loneliness, Boredom, and Isolation: These issues may affect those who are not working, as they might become bored from sitting continuously in front of a computer, unlike the experience of going to university, meeting friends, and enjoying more lively interactions.
- Lack of Seriousness in Distance Learning: Despite the successes of distance learning, some students may not approach it with the same level of seriousness or feel the same sense of responsibility as they do with traditional educational methods.
- Reliance on the Internet: The effectiveness of distance learning is subject to internet stability; therefore, students must have a reliable and constant internet connection to ensure they benefit fully from the program.
- Limited Experience of Educational Staff in Distance Learning: Distance learning requires new skills and intensive training on how to interact with students electronically and deliver information in an engaging and understandable manner.
Also read: Doğuş University in Istanbul
Also read: How to Choose the Right University in Turkey
With this, we reach the end of our article Distance Learning in Turkey, in which we discussed the concept of distance learning, the experiences of Turkish universities in transitioning to this type of education, listed the names of the universities that offer this mode of study, and addressed both the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning.