Is Distance Learning Right for You

Distance learning has some great advantages for some people over attending a bricks and mortar school. It allows you to fit your studies around other commitments that you have. It saves you the time and money of travel to the campus to attend lectures, and there can be other advantages. However, you are the only person who can determine if it is the best way for you to study. It is not the best way for every person. Here are some of the factors to consider when making the decision about whether distance learning is right for you.

Are you an organized person who is able to manage your time well? You will not see other students or your instructor regularly to remind each other of tests and assignments that are due.

Do you have enough time to take distance learning classes? If you are working full time or have many commitments that you have made, then you should probably begin with just one 3 credit course. If you do not work or have few other tasks to which you are committed, then you may have enough time to devote to a full course load. Of course there will be a range of hours in between these two and you will have to judge how many courses you can handle.

Do you have good reading and writing skills? Most of your information is in print form in distance education courses and you will be required to communicate in writing with other students, your instructor, and for assignments. You will find some exceptions in your courses where audio and/or video methods are used, but as a rule, excellent reading and writing skills are required.

Do you have at least basic computer skills? You will need to be able to work with a word processing program, browse the web, and be willing to learn how your course website works, as well as how to use or download other simple software that may be required for a course.

Do you feel comfortable with minimum feedback from your instructor? Not all instructors provide immediate feedback or provide frequent feedback on your work, although some do give feedback a high priority. For those that do not, it will be beneficial if you can keep track of your own progress in the course. When you do need feedback on something, you need to feel comfortable enough to contact the instructor and ask for her response on the subject.

Are you a self-motivated learner? A high level of motivation will increase your chances of success in the course. If you need the course for a job promotion or you have a love of learning, then you will not be as likely to neglect your course or put things off until later.

Distance learning can have some satisfying convenient advantages over traditional classroom learning. However, you need to consider your own strengths and weaknesses in relation to the qualities of distance education, in order to determine whether it will be right for you.

If you decide that distance learning is for you, here is a book I recommend that can help you to do really well in your courses:

How to Become a Straight-A Student: The Unconventional Strategies Real College Students Use to Score High While Studying Less

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Content copyright © 2011 by Elizabeth Stuttard. All rights reserved.
This content was written by Elizabeth Stuttard. If you wish to use this content in any manner, you need written permission. Contact Patricia Pedraza-Nafziger for details.

	Patricia Pedraza-Nafziger BellaOnline's Distance Learning Editor