IS THE DISTANCE ENVIRONMENT FOR YOU?

What is Learning At a Distance Like?
Distance education is a convenient way for people with busy schedules to take courses. In addition to offering students far more flexibility in their daily routine, students who have many other commitments tend to find the distance environment an attractive alternative to the traditional environment . Some of the advantages of distance learning are:

Learners attend a “virtual classroom” so that there is no need to travel to the campus. Learners attend their virtual classroom at hours that fit their own personal daily schedule. Although there often are weekly deadlines to meet, learners can work on material for the week at their own pace. Learners work under the guidance of their instructors, generally on a one on one basis. Learners are able to maintain regular contact with their instructors via e-mail, telephone, and various other technologies.

Learning at a distance is NOT EASY. To be a successful distance learner you must have :

• Guaranteed routine acment. cess to a computer, whether it is at home or in a lab with an internet connection. A fast internet connection is a plus, but not a requirement.
• The learner must have good reading skills.
• The learner requires discipline and organization.
• The learner must be self-motivated and responsible in his/her independent studies.
• The learner must be able to set aside blocks of time weekly to read material, do the assignments, and take part in virtual classroom discussions.
• The learner must be willing to adhere to the University policies on academic honesty.

Is Learning at a Distance For You?
Distance learners tend to be full-time employees, parents, students with special needs, students who live a great distance from the campus, or students with many other time commitments (for example music students). All are highly motivated, self-disciplined, and able to follow and learn from written directions. To determine if you are suited to a distance learning environment, answer the questions below as accurately as possible.

Do distance courses fit your circumstances and lifestyle? Fill in the one answer for each question that most closely matches your circumstance and score as directed:

1. Select the statement that best describes your situation:
A. I always have access to a computer with fast internet connection.
B. I frequently have access to a computer with some type of internet connection.
C. I have restricted access to a computer with some type of internet connection.

2. Select the statement that best categorizes your need to take this course:
A. I need to take this course immediately to complete my degree, for work, or for some other valid reason.
B. I could take this course on campus later.
C. I would be taking this course because I think it would be easier than a traditional course.

3. Select the statement that best describes your personal schedule:
A. My schedule is such that I have enough time to devote to an online class.
B. My schedule is such that I have little time to devote to an online class.
C. My schedule is tight and I don’t have a lot of time to devote to most of my classes.

4. Select the statement that best classifies you:
A. I often get things done ahead of time.
B. I generally need reminding to get things done on time.
C. I generally procrastinate.

5. Select the statement that best classifies your reading and comprehension skills:
A. I can generally understand the text without help.
B. I can understand the text after the instructor has explained the material in class.
C. I have trouble understanding the text even after the instructor has explained the material in class.

6. Select the statement that best summarizes how you feel about having face-to-face contact with an instructor:
A. Face-to-face contact with an instructor is not really important to me.
B. Face-to-face contact with an instructor is somewhat important to me.
C. Face-to-face contact with an instructor is very important to me.

7. Which statement best describes you as a learner:
A. I am generally able to figure out how to complete an assignment myself from the readings and instructions.
B. I can figure out how to complete an assignment myself from the readings and instructions with some help.
C. I feel more comfortable when I have someone to completely explain the readings and instructions to me.

8. Which statement that best describes how you feel about classroom discussion:
A. It is almost always helpful to me.
B. It is occasionally helpful to me.
C. It is rarely helpful to me.

9. Which statement best describes your feeling about faculty interaction:
A. Faculty interaction regarding my assignments is very important to me.
B. Faculty interaction regarding my assignments is somewhat important to me.
C. Faculty interaction regarding my assignments is not necessary.

10. Select the statement that best describes your feeling about new learning:
A. I look forward to acquiring new concepts.
B. I am uncomfortable learning new concepts, but will try hard.
C. I don’t enjoy learning new concepts.

Scoring
Add 3 points for each "A" that you circled, 2 for each "B", and 1 for each "C". If your score is 25 or more, then distance learning is probably a good choice for you. If your score is between 16 and 24, then distance learning may be appropriate for you. If your score is between 10 and 15, then distance learning is probably not appropriate for you. Remember that the goal of distance learning is not to give the student an easy way to earn a grade, but to provide a convenient learning atmosphere for the student.
Common Pitfalls for Learners enrolled in a distance (i.e. web-based or asynchronous) course

• Learners can be easily distracted by outside interferences and get behind in their readings and assignments.
• Learners try to quickly jump into the course without reading the course documents and directions.
• Learners don't participate in the online classroom discussions.
• Learners don't take advantage of the supplemental materials often provided to them by their instructors.

Distance courses require as much work as a traditional class and tend to be more writing intensive; therefore, enrollment in them should not be taken lightly.