Is Online Learning Right For You?

A mere five years ago, online learning options were sparse. Today, nearly every major college offers at least a few online courses, and in many schools, it's possible to complete an entire degree program without setting foot inside a physical classroom. Imagine that -- no parking permits, traffic jams on the way to school, or sitting on uncomfortable folding chairs for hours.

Sounds great, but how can you evaluate whether this educational pursuit is right for you? Jerry Cellilo, an instructor and guidance counselor at Los Altos, CA's Foothill College, who teaches several online courses and has even redesigned a number of in-person classes to be taught in an online format, recommends starting with these questions (and, be honest!):

Are you comfortable with technology?
Are you serious, self-motivated, and disciplined?
Are you tenacious, persistent, and resourceful?

If you can answer these questions affirmatively, read on to see what other experts have to say....

Skills of the Successful Distance Learner
Obviously, e-mail and Internet browsing skills are a must, insists Mark Parker, executive assistant to the provost and adjunct assistant professor, Graduate Studies at University of Maryland University College (Adelphi, MD). People who are more comfortable with information and communication technology adapt to the online learning environment more quickly, he says.

Written English skills are also important, Parker adds. A lot of the interaction is text-based, through e-mail and discussion forums, he says. "A person who does not have good writing skills may have difficulty getting the most out of an online class.

Yet perhaps even more important than technical know-how or writing is self-discipline. Indeed, you're largely on your own in the distance-learning classroom. "The nature of online courses requires that students stay caught up without a lot of prompting, Parker says. There's no teacher standing at the front of the room constantly reminding you to turn in your assignments, and not having a set class time will force you to take the initiative in attending class.

"Merely showing up to class does not make for a passing grade in the distance learning world, adds Kymberly Coleman, an applications developer for a Charlotte, NC-based financial institution who has taken several online courses. "While distance learning does provide flexibility for the most part, there must be a commitment on the part of the student to actually do the material.

Challenges of Distance Learning
Even if you are disciplined and technologically adept, distance learning still may not be for you. If you're a person who enjoys the experience of being in a classroom with a lot of people talking, says Parker, you may find yourself bored. Much of the communication in a distance-learning format does not take place in real-time.

Another mistake some students make, Parker says, is that "people will view online courses as if they are some type of correspondence course." Online courses are not always self-paced, and some students find themselves overwhelmed by the amount of work. Most online courses follow a similar schedule as in-person courses, so you will probably fall behind if you do not log on regularly and keep up with the material.

There is also a risk that in taking classes alongside a busy life, you may get overwhelmed. According to Wanda Newman, an Internet professional at Global Crossing in Florham Park, NJ, who completed a degree program at University of Maryland University College, her biggest challenge was balancing work and school. "I had to be very focused and organized, and ensure I was applying something toward my degree and academics at least a couple of hours each day," she says.

Tips for the Prospective Distance Learner
So, what should you do if you are considering distance learning?

"Start by taking one short online class," advises Cellilo. Many colleges that offer online degree programs have a course that provides an introduction to online learning, and taking that course can be a great way to assess your aptitude for the medium.

Some students may even want to take it a step further, says Parker. "Enroll in a small baccalaureate certificate program," he advises. Different courses work differently online and a certificate program may give you a better overall picture of distance learning. Most certificate program courses can later be applied to a baccalaureate program if you decide to continue with online learning.

Choosing a program that meets your needs is also extremely important. "Sit down and assess what you want to learn," says Coleman. "What do you want to do with [the education]? Do you just want to learn it? You have to know what your plans are for when you're done." For example, if you're taking a degree program, advises Parker, find out whether the institution is accredited by one of the six regional accrediting bodies. If not, you will probably have trouble transferring credits if you decide to continue
your education.

Check the specifics of the program too, says Cellilo. "Not all online programs are the same. Look for online student support. Are there counselors online? Is there an 800 number? How fast is the turnaround?" Quality varies from program to program as well, according to Coleman. "Certain places take a whole bunch of people, and the quality is just not there," she concludes. "Investigate different options out there. Try to get references from other students."

Finally, make sure that the program you're looking at matches your own learning style. Different programs are geared toward different learning styles. "Some learners must have hands-on examples to follow. Others can pick up material from a book and text with quizzes to gauge comprehension," Coleman says. Picking a program that matches your needs can be the difference between a positive and negative experience with online learning.

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