Is Online Distance Education for You?

Is choosing an online class the best way for you to learn?

Please consider the following points concerning online distance education before enrolling into any of my online courses, even if you are absolutely convinced that you want to study in this way.

Points for potential online students to consider

• While some students prefer the independence of an online distance education course, others can find it uncomfortable.
• An online distance education course often gives you greater freedom to schedule your work, but it also requires more self-discipline.
• A student taking a distance education course may neglect coursework and fall behind, because of personal or family circumstances, unless he or she has a compelling motivation to keep up with the course.
• Some people learn best by interacting with other students in a face-to-face environment rather than electronically. An online distance education course may not afford an opportunity for face-to-face interaction.
• An online distance education course requires you to work primarily from written directions and web sites, without face-to-face explanations by the instructor. You can, however, email your instructor as often as necessary.
• Successfully completing an online distance education course requires at least as much time as it does to attend a lecture class and complete traditional lecture course assignments.
• An online distance education course uses technology for teaching and communication. You will need to be comfortable with uploading and downloading information onto your computer. You need to possess good general computer literacy skills.
• An online distance education course usually operates through one or more web sites. And, along with print files, web sites are usually a primary source of directions, syllabus, course content, course description, and general information for students in the course.

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