Is Online Learning Right for You?

Posted 2009

Going Back to School

Although 90% of postsecondary education still takes place on traditional campuses, there’s a whole lot of learning happening online. But how do you know whether or not distance education is right for you? Ask yourself the following questions and find out:

1. What kind of student are you?
   • The traditional college student is usually a recent high school graduate, although adult learners now make up approximately 20 to 25% of the student body on many college campuses.
   • The online student is typically a 30-something working adult with a career and a family, although students from all age groups and demographics have benefited from online learning.
2. What kind of learner are you?
   • The traditional college student learns by listening, speaking, reading and writing. In class, this student may sit in the front row or the last row, quietly taking notes or actively participating in a discussion. His or her understanding of subject matter is tested only periodically, by assignments such as a big research paper or a final exam.
   • Online students learn by doing. In the online classroom, every seat is a front-row seat, and students must participate in every aspect of the class to demonstrate their preparedness, subject comprehension and critical thinking.
3. Are you disciplined and self-motivated?
   • Traditional students can count on their professors to remind them of due dates, and to help them prepare for assignments, midterms and finals. Each class can be used to impart a small lesson from the semester’s curriculum.
   • Discipline and motivation are key to completing online activities: following up on emails and other correspondence, participating in chat rooms, watching lectures and planning ahead to complete each assignment on time. Some online learners say distance learning actually requires more time and commitment than traditional learning.
4. Do you like to share ideas?
   • Online students learn the most by sharing ideas, perspectives, experiences and commentary about the subject that they are studying – and more. By sharing ideas with peers, online students gain insight and perspectives and provide the same in turn.
5. Will you miss campus social life?
   • Only a traditional campus can provide face-to-face interactions with teachers and other students. It can be a great place to network, since you’ll be making face-to-face contact with people who might be able to help you when you’re ready to seek a job.
   • Online students are often surprised by how easy it is to make friends and network with the other students in their classes. These relationships are beneficial for more than just the obvious social reasons; networking is an important tool of the business world and can lead to deals, future job offers and provide a great forum to discuss the industry. You never know when you will need practical advice or a favor from someone who shares your knowledge base.

Tips for Online Learning Success

1. Manage your time. While taking classes online provides you with the advantage of being able to study almost anytime and anywhere, creating a weekly schedule and sticking to it is a good way to keep from falling behind. It can be hard to catch up if you do, so managing your time wisely is a smart move.
2. Make sure you have a private place to study. Look for a quiet space where you can shut the door, spread out your materials and not be distracted by entertainment, people or other responsibilities.
3. Get Web-smart. Make sure you’re comfortable with various Internet tasks, including navigating the web, sending emails, downloading files, posting messages to a message board, etc.
4. Get your systems in order. The courses you take may require different software and plug-ins. Before you get started, install all appropriate software and multimedia plug-ins, and upgrade your Internet browser if necessary. Make sure everything is working before you start class!
5. Form a virtual study group. Just because you won’t be seeing your classmates every day, it doesn’t mean they’re out of touch. Make an effort early in the course to get to know your fellow students. Send an email to the ones with whom you make a connection. Your classmates might be willing to edit papers, discuss assignments and provide general support. You might even make some new friends.
6. Don’t procrastinate. Procrastination is natural, but it doesn’t produce results. To get going, generate a work schedule for larger assignments, and count backwards from the day the assignment is due. This will ensure you have enough time to finish successfully. Leave a cushion of a few extra days, to give yourself some wiggle room.
7. Love what you’re learning. When you go back to school, choose a subject you love or one that will lead you toward an important goal, such as a higher income, a brighter future or skills for an entirely new career. When you can, apply the things you learn to your current job. If that isn’t possible, visualize a connection between what you are learning and what you plan to do in the future.
8. Find your “voice.” Because so much of your work involves written correspondence, it makes sense to master a few of the basics. Avoid humor and emotional responses that can be difficult to communicate in writing. Stick to the same rules you’d use for a business letter, expressing yourself professionally and politely. Being polite is not only common sense, it makes for a more productive and supportive online community.
9. Take a break. Sitting at a computer for hours on end is hard on both your body and your brain. Typical signs that you’ve been in the same position too long include an ache in your head or neck, stiff fingers or wrists, blurry eyes or general fatigue. Schedule frequent short breaks when you are working, even if it’s just walking away from your computer for a moment to stretch your limbs. Just a five-minute break can really increase your productivity.
10. Make the commitment. The requirements for online learning are the same as those of any quality educational program. Before you get started, review the course requirements and reaffirm your ability to meet them. Successful distance learners understand that online education may be more convenient, but it won’t necessarily be easier.