Is Online Learning for Me?
There a few things to think about before taking an online education. We have tried to compile a quick list that will help you identify if online learning is for you.
Mr. Gansler of the US Distance Learning Association has the following simple recommendations on how to check if online education is right for you.
• Decide how important face to face interaction is for you. Can you learn study by yourself for extended periods of time or do you need other people around to help your understanding and keep your motivation up?
• How are your computer skills? Are you comfortable browsing the internet, checking email, chatting? Do you know how to use Microsoft Word or another word processing software?
• How good are you at asking for help? Mr. Gansler points out that since you are not in front of the teacher, they may not be able to tell if you need additional help or clarification. In the online learning environment you need to be proactive about when you need assistance.
• How much time can you devote to your classwork? If you do not have the discipline to dedicate time to a course, then maybe online learning is not for you. If you do have discipline but actually don't have the time, you may need to adjust your schedule to make some time for online learning.
• How good are you at organizing your own time? Online learning is a lot about being organized and making sure you are prioritizing tasks.
• Do you enjoy reading and writing? Online courses are a lot about reading the material and reflecting on it yourself. Depending on the school environment, you may interact with the professor or other students, but it will largely be up to you to digest the information.
If you want to read more about Mr. Gansler's article, please refer to the following paper: http://www.usdla.org/pdf/DLT_Insert.pdf
It is good to take a moment and reflect on what your key strengths and weaknesses are before attempting an online degree. We recommend trying to find a school that will allow you to sample a course first. Check out Education180.com for more information.
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