Online Degrees Require Discipline, Organizational Skill

Distance Education Learning Online Articles : Online Degrees Require Discipline, Organizational Skill

I had to smile recently while researching a short article about online learning. Like many authors, I frequently brainstorm ideas by reviewing PLR (Private Label Rights) articles Ive either collected or paid for over the years. I chuckled audibly when one such article announced the impending demise of the "real" brick-and-mortar university in no uncertain, but nevertheless comical terms. In the digital age, surmised the incredulous author, brick-and-mortar learning is like playing solitaire with a real deck of cards!

While factors such as convenience and flexibility have made distance learning enormously popular, the fact of the matter is that earning an online degree isnt always so easy. In order to succeed, online learners need better than average command of basic computer skills. While cut-and-paste, a good working knowledge of a word processor and knowing how to access the Internet are easily acquired abilities, other tools in the skill set arent so easy to pick up.

Here are three important points to consider:

1. Topping the list is discipline. Since distance learning is essentially an isolated undertaking, many students aren't able to stay on task without the benefit of one-on-one interaction with instructors and other students. A high percentage of online learners let assignments slide since there isn't a deadline or pressure from an instructor to finish an assignment on time. This is particularly true for working adults or learn-at-home moms who need to integrate online learning with job pressures or the needs of their children and families.

2. Discipline is good, but discipline and organizational ability are better. The ability to organize work and stick to a schedule is also crucial since distance learners typically hold down a job or care for a family at the same time theyre pursuing a university degree. Theres too little time for distance learners to pull an all-nighter before a paper is due or before final exams. Therefore, online learners have to have the ability to organize their other activities in order to have enough time for assigments and class preparation.

3. Even pupils who can muster the self-discipline and organizational talent to succeed may still fall short when it comes to the learning style that best fits the distance learning environment. Distance learning makes heavy use of audio-visual naterials, either in the form of printed material or audio and video-based instruction. If you need a hands-on approach to learn, that is, by examining or even building something, chances are you may have problems with online learning.

You can learn more about your online learning aptitude by participating in one of several online tests that help nail down your own learning style. Try searching Google, MSN or Yahoo for "learning styles" or "online learning styles" and you should find several different tests. These tests are all simple to complete and they'll give you a much better idea of how well suited you are for online learning. Well-known online universities also have counsellors and advisors to help you gauge your prospects of successfully earning an online degree.

About the Author: Matt Paolini works from home as a distance learner. Visit University of Phoneix or University of Pheonix for free distance learning info.

Source: http://www.easyarticles.com/article-58278.htm