Is Online Education a Good Choice for You?
Distance education can be a great opportunity for busy individuals who can’t afford to give up their jobs and home life in order to further their careers.
One of the most important questions that any candidate for an online education program can ask themselves is an online education right for me? Distance programs take a large amount of self-discipline and the ability to make a schedule and stick to it.
On-line education programs require students to be able to work unsupervised; without the presence of an instructor or classmates. Instructors communicate with students through different on-line methods but there is no opportunity for hands-on training. There are no support networks, guidance counselors or study groups that you can meet with face-to-face. Everything is conducted online. Successful on-line students need to be comfortable working on their own.
One of the main elements of on-line education programs is interacting with instructors and classmates using email and message boards. An on-line student needs to be experienced at using these forms of communication; it is easy to quickly become left behind in an on-line classroom situation if lines of communication are not open.
Good writing skills are also important when it comes to distance education. Since most assignments and classroom interaction takes place using the written word, distance learners need strong writing skills. Posting on online bulletin boards and email communication requires clear concise writing which can quickly convey the student’s needs and thoughts. In an online environment, mis-communication can lead to missed deadlines, failed assignments and failure.
On-line students need organizational skills in order to set up and follow their own set of study schedules. This takes a large amount of discipline that many people simply do not have. Students need the ability to block out ringing telephones, demanding family members and a host of other distractions while concentrating on the task at hand. This skill is essential for anyone attempting to earn an on-line degree.
Succeeding at an on-line education program is the responsibility of the student. Students need to create their own schedules and study times, in and around their busy schedules. Some people enjoy the freedom that this type of educational setting creates, others need a more structured traditional environment.
Distance learning is not an inexpensive alternative to brick and mortar schools; it often costs the same as a traditional college education. This makes it vitally important to find out first if distance learning is for you.
