Online classes, also called distance learning, are increasing in popularity, both in public schools and at colleges and universities. A recent study titled Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States, 2011 found “…the number of students taking at least one online course has now surpassed 6 million,” which means roughly one-third of students enrolled in college are involved in distance learning, whether it’s for one course or a full load of classes.
The rapid increase in online learning enrollment suggests distance learning is becoming a norm rather than an exception. But before jumping into the online learning community, potential students need to consider their likelihood of being successful in the digital classroom.
Be sure you can manage your time well. Distance learning offers students flexibility, something many face-to-face classes lack. Students can, after all, complete work in their pajamas any time of day. But students considering online classes must remember that time management will be entirely up to them. There will be no regular class meetings and teacher reminders of due dates. Being able to prioritize responsibilities, set aside time to work on online class assignments, and motivate oneself – especially when things get tough – is a must.
Be sure you have consistent, reliable access to a computer and the Internet. Before signing up for distance learning, students must make sure they have a computer and Internet access at their fingertips any time of day. One of the reasons students sign up for online classes is to avoid having to go to class at a certain time. While planning to use the public library computers or heading over to a neighbor’s may seem like it’ll work, it defeats the greatest advantage of online learning: the ability to complete work from home and on one’s unique schedule. Instructors are not going to accept technological malfunctions or lack of Internet access as excuses for not having work done. They expect your enrollment in the course to mean you are prepared to take on digital tasks without problems.
Be sure you are ready to commit to online forum discussions and student-led learning opportunities. Many distance learning courses require students to participate in online forum discussions with cohorts. Before paying for an online class, students must make sure they are willing and able to devote their time and effort to engaging in meaningful conversations about the course concepts with others. Often, a student’s and his classmates’ grades hinge on active and fruitful participation in forum discussions, making ignoring the requirement unacceptable. A willingness to contribute to a productive discussion is essential to distance learning success.
Be sure you can handle learning and studying without face-to-face instructor help. A lot of distance learning instructors are available to help students through email or chat, but this doesn’t replace good, old-fashioned one-on-one instruction. Make sure you are the kind of learner who can read, understand, and internalize course content independently. Also, be certain you are willing to use peer interaction to help make meaning out of class material. With online learning, the teacher’s role is quite different than it is in the traditional classroom.
Be sure you are willing to ask relevant, meaningful questions and provide honest feedback. Just because distance learning can take place in the privacy of one’s own home doesn’t mean asking questions of classmates and instructors goes out the window. Often, a student’s willingness to sacrifice feeling stupid or put herself out there to a group of peers she doesn’t know is the key to success. Furthermore, distance learning instructors are only as good as the students help them to be. Make sure you can take the course evaluations seriously and provide constructive feedback to help improve the online learning experience for students. The more willing you are to ask the right questions and give your honest opinion about what works and what doesn’t, the better your online learning experience will be.
Distance learning, with its rapid increase in popularity, is a convenient and beneficial mode of learning. Students interested in becoming part of the online learning revolution must be certain they can handle the unique demands of this educational forum before committing, both financially and emotionally.
Source:
Study, Going the Distance: Online Education in the United States, 2011 , The Sloan Consortium