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An Overview Of Long Distance Learning
by Francis Y Ireton
http://www.fyilearning.com

Not too long ago, the idea of earning your degree over the
internet was viewed with suspicion and ridicule. Few people
believed that one could get as good an education via the web
as one could in a traditional classroom. Few accredited
schools offered distance learning as an option, so a degree
earned online wasn't likely to come from a well-known
college or university.

The advantages to distance learning are many. Depending on
the structure of the courses that you choose, you may be
able to work completely at your own pace and schedule, an
obvious boon to those trying to fit college learning into an
already busy work and home life. In other cases, part of
your schedule may be predetermined by chatroom class
meetings and online lectures, but still save you from the
need to dash across the city - or across the country - to
sit in a classroom.

We've come a long way, baby. I can't imagine what doors
might have been open to my friend Linda had she had today's
tools and technology to back up her determination and
efforts. However, the things that made her a successful long
distance learner are the same qualities that will help you
achieve success in your learning.

1. Set yourself a schedule to work on classwork. Even if
you've chosen courses that never formally meet, you will
benefit from setting a schedule for yourself and sticking to
it as closely as possible. Structure is one of the most
positive things you can do to make sure that you complete
and hand in your work on time.

Do you have a stable internet connection? You'll need the
ability to access the internet for class meetings, email,
coursework instructions and communicating with your
instructor and other students. A stable internet connection
is a must. If you're relying on accessing the internet
through a library or other public network, chances are
you'll find it impossible to keep up with your learning.

How comfortable are you using a computer? The more
comfortable you are using and acquiring new computer skills,
the more successful you'll be in a distance learning
situation. At the very least, you should be comfortable
using a word processing program and email. Comfort using
chat programs will help as well, since many distance classes
involve meeting in chat environments with other students and
instructors.

Do you have an internet connection that you can rely on?
Again, since you'll be doing most of your work online, a
stable internet connection is an absolute must. If you need
to rely on public access through a library or community
access center, you'll find it difficult to keep up.

Can you focus on work despite distractions? Without a
regular schedule of classes, it's tempting to put off work
till the last minute. The students who do best with distance
learning are those who have their own space and the ability
and support to put off distractions and focus on getting
work done. If you're a motivated learner who enjoys getting
to work on your projects, you'll find it easier to keep up
with classwork and complete it on time.

What's your learning style? Do you learn best when someone
explains something to you verbally? If you're someone who
needs visual demonstrations and learns best in face to face
situations where you can pick up on gestures and non-verbal
cues, you may be better off learning in a traditional
classroom setting.

The growing availability of long distance learning presents
a wonderful opportunity for those who can't, or prefer not
to attend on campus classes. As time goes on, changes in
technology will make a lot of the requirements above less
important - already, video conferencing software makes it
easier to meet with instructors 'face to face'. In the
meantime, the ability to communicate in writing, work on
your own and maintain your own schedule are the main factors
in determining if distance learning is a good choice for
you.

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