There are several reasons why distance learning is more useful than conventional learning. IELTS 2

Question :
Technology like computer and internet made it easier to learn university subject frim home. What are the advantages and disadvantages of learning from home?

My Answer :
Most subjects in university these days are able to access from home due to the development of technology. Althought this issue has benefits, the drawbacks should be considered.

There are several reasons why distance learning is more useful. Firstly, student can be flexible toward the time course. For instance, students who have occupation are able to arrange their time when they have to work or study as well. This enables them to decided learning while they should work. Another reason is, that they are still living in their place. Most universities which located in big city require their student to live in around the campus or at least in same place. Distance learning make student can acquire the subject materials without moving to the nearby university.

Although distance learning brings positive effects, there are numerous drawbacks for student social life. To begin, there is a lack of interaction between the students and their lecture. While it can be solved by technology which have a skype that helping them to meet each other virtually, it cannot be enough to understand the subjects such as science and engineering. Laboratory courses have also been linked to problem of distance learning. For several courses that they have to do in laboratory will be a consequence for them because they are not be able to run their experiment. Furthermore, there is influence on their relationship among students. If they spend less time in campus, they will have not enough friends to interact with.

To sum up, despite the benefits of distance learning, the negative effects is more problematic. Those affect mostly in student social life.

Siti, you went over the word count by 20 words. Keep in mind that you must never go over the 250 word limit. Once you go over the limit you run the risk of being failed in the whole section of the test since you have proven that you cannot understand the simplest of instructions in the English language.

With regards to your opening statement, you are expected to provide a paraphrased version of the prompt as part of your introductory statement. You failed to do that as well. The paraphrasing is an important part of the essay because it proves your ability to understand questions posed before you in English and that you are capable of restating the important aspects of the question in order to build your own discussion. The lack of it in this essay will have cost you another severe points deduction and an even lower band score.

In terms of your conclusion. It is weak because it only covers 2 sentences when the minimum is 3 sentences per paragraph and that includes the concluding statement. So, while the 2 middle paragraphs of the essay work well for your discussion, your severe shortcomings in the introduction and conclusion would have resulted in a less than stellar band score rating. In my opinion, you would probably get a 4 due to the lack of certain important points in the essay relating to the introduction and conclusion.

Hi Ummasm, I'm trying to give some comments on your essay.

1. This enables them to decideddecide learning while ...
After 'to' should be followed by infinitive. In this sentence, you have to replace decided into decide

2. The Distance of learning makemakes student can ...
Because the subject is singular (distance for learning), you must use singular verb.

3. In body one, it better for you to explain the reason of your main idea before you give example. It will make strong paragraph, or you can use only one idea and you give more supporting idea to make it clear.

Thanks
Keep writing

Hallo.. i try to give you some notes..

THE Most subjects in university [...] the drawbacks should be considered. (Better you put the reason of its drawbacks and its benefits )

... learning is more useful than conventional learning.
This enables them to decideddecide (to infinitive, to+V1) learning while ...
Another reason isthat they are still living in their place. Most universities which ARE located in big city (...) live in around the campus or at least in THE same place. Distance learning makemakes student can ...

I hope it helps.. good luck!

Hi, umma ;)
here are my comments through your essay

AlthoughtAlthough this issue has benefits...

... campus or at least in the same place.

Distance learning makemakes student can acquire ...

... by technology which havehas a skype that ...

... because they are not be able to run their experiment.

If they spend less time inon campus, they will ...

Keep Writing~

@Holt
Hi Mary :) Thank you for your feedback. It is helpful.
however, I want to ask you about the number of word in IELTS task 2.
As I know, it does not matter if we write more than 250 words, at least it is not less than 250. My teacher said that is better to write 260-280 words in task 2. what do you think? what is the best to consider the number of word in our writing?

Regards,
Umma

Hi Umma, please allow me to apologize. I had forgotten that I have not previously advised you so my words were presented in a manner that should have been more familiar to a student whom I have worked with in the past.

The reason that I often recommend writing only 250 words, which is the minimum number of words is because you are not being scored on the number of words that you have written. Rather, you are being scored on your use of the English language, your grammar skills, comprehension skills, and sentence development abilities. These are all the core points that are being looked into when you write your essays. I have found that even if you present only 250 words, but you prove your abilities in English based on the required skills, you will pass the test with high marks.

You see, just because you write a lot of words in English, be it simple or complex, doesn't mean that you have proven your skills in the necessary aspects of essay writing. In fact, the more words that you write, the more it might become obvious that you have limited English skills. While if you opt to write simple sentences or somewhat complex sentences and use simple to moderate vocabulary within the 250 word count, you will be able to better concentrate on perfecting the English essay discussion and presentation.

You don't have to write a long essay. You just have to write a relevant response in an understandable essay. Even if you write a long essay but are unable to explain yourself clearly to the reviewer, if you cannot present properly developed English sentences in the simplest form, then you will have lost your quest to get a high mark on the essay. That is why I recommend a 250 maximum word essay to most students whom I feel will benefit from the presentation of a shorter essay. I hope my advice helps.