The alarming rate of campus crimes in U.S. schools demands an increase in the number of deployed school police officers. The role of school police officers ranges from patrolling school grounds, providing security during school events, assisting in disciplinary measures, and even teaching.
These officers are highly qualified and have undergone the required criminal investigation training. Many have wondered how these sworn police officers found the time to undergo much-needed training amidst their demanding duties and long hours. Training programs for criminal law have been widely available in the form of distance learning for several years now.
The introduction of distance training methods has enabled a lot of professionals, not just police officers, to avail of training courses outside of the classroom setting. Distance learning entails the physical separation of student and teacher and relies on the use of various technologies to facilitate learning. All you need are a good Internet connection and a computer. Or a good smartphone will even suffice! Here are some of the most popular distance-training techniques available today:
Video Conferencing
This type of distance education allows students to connect with experts and educators from any part of the world. There are face-to-face interactions and opportunities to ask questions in real time.
Open-schedule Online Courses
Internet-based materials such as online textbooks and articles are provided to students. They are allowed to work at their own pace and given deadlines to complete assigned tasks. This is the perfect alternative to those who work well on their own.
Fixed-time Online Courses
These courses are done online, and students are required to log in at a designated site on a fixed schedule.
Computer-based Distance Education
This type of learning has a set schedule wherein students are required to be present in a computer lab or classroom and submit assignments at specified dates.
Hybrid-distance Learning
Similar to computer-based distance education, hybrid distance learning requires students to be present in a classroom or chatroom at a specific time. The difference between the two is that in hybrid distance learning, students can submit completed assignments anytime through an online platform. This method is hugely observed by schools with inadequate space for the number of students enrolled.
Distance learning allows non-traditional students to complete their education. The majority of distance learning students are housewives, full-time employees, people from remote regions, and military/police officers.
There is an increasing number of schools that provide distance learning in response to the growing demand, not just in the U.S. but from students in other countries with available telecommunications.
In the end, many colleges and universities in the U.S. provide courses and training in marketing, project management, information technology, and even legal studies. These training programs are available in various formats, such as live and online lectures, DVD materials, and texts. The best part is being able to accomplish courses at your own pace while having the opportunity to train with top-notch industry leaders. If you need more information about distance education, you can find other reliable sources online.