In our rapidly changing global world, millions of students are currently taking college-level classes online (distance learning). Private and public universities in the United States and abroad are offering Certificate, Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral programs over the Internet for adult learners. From the Ivy League to community colleges, an increasing number of students can log into their classes from home, work, or while traveling on the bus or train. Adult learners frequently juggle a myriad of responsibilities, including parenting, career, and caring for aging parents. Previously, a university of interest may have been geographically out of reach. Currently, an employee located in the United States can register for classes that are held on the other side of the world. Non-traditional settings outside of the more traditional classroom offer viable opportunities for further education.

Adult students make up the largest demographic group at post-secondary institutions in the United States. For this group of students, the benefits of online academic programs are:

o To upgrade current skill sets

o To learn new skill sets

o To obtain an undergraduate or graduate degree

o Meeting the necessary academic requirements for a current job or promotion

or To change career

o Satisfying certification or licensing requirements.

o Personal and spiritual growth and development

Not for the faint of heart, success in distance learning academic programs requires high levels of stamina, discipline, and motivation. A good candidate should be computer literate, possess the ability to read large amounts of material in short periods of time, have good writing and communication skills, have high expectations for good grades, enjoy applying critical thinking, and spend a minimum of 15 Hours per week. per course (be prepared to allocate more, if necessary).
The Internet and the World Wide Web provide the critical technology platform for distance education. The university’s technological and operational infrastructures (including hardware, software, and transmission) provide the additional pillars of the technology platform necessary to run distance learning programs. The delivery of academic content can be done in various formats. The more traditional venues are correspondence courses, videos, audio-cassettes, CD-ROMs, and television and radio broadcasts. Modern formats include synchronous and/or asynchronous distribution channels for educational content. Synchronous delivery refers to real-time interaction between instructor and student, ie, two-way video conferencing, whiteboards, chat rooms, phone software (eg Skype), and mobile technology devices. Asynchronous interaction does not imply real-time communication. Instead, instructor-student interaction is accomplished through the use of email, DVD, and traditional education delivery formats.

As a student, you will need a desktop or laptop computer, Internet service provider, cell phone, software (ie word processor, financial spreadsheet, calendar, and Power Point), a backup storage disk drive (nothing can make your heart race). faster than losing a body of work she has diligently developed), a headset for virtual team discussions, and traditional school supplies. Optional technology may include memory upgrades, scanners, digital scanners, and fax machines.

Ten tips for the successful online student:

o Have a credit or debit card ready to download eBooks and other reading materials needed for the course.

o Maintain a list of more than one bookstore in case a required textbook runs out. It’s always a good idea to get a list of required textbooks mid-term and order them in advance for the following term.

o Don’t be embarrassed to ask for help if you need it. I cannot stress enough the importance of communicating openly with your professor or instructor about course material that you may not understand. Online academic programs tend to move quickly, and course content you don’t understand will likely cause problems down the road, resulting in frustration and possibly lower grades.

o Find a tutor. If there are areas you know need to be strengthened, even before class starts, have a tutor available. Also, the phone number of a computer specialist should be in your rolodex.

o Time management will be essential. Keep a plan. Read your syllabus as soon as it is available and plan accordingly.

o Fulfill your responsibilities as a virtual team member. Your contributions will have a direct impact on the team rating.

or Exercise. Long hours in front of the computer can strain the muscles in the neck, shoulders, arms, and back, not to mention the hands. Remember to stretch and tone regularly.

o Eat a healthy diet. Have good healthy recipes on hand. Hydrate. Avoid heavy snacks with calorie-laden foods and instead eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. Avoid white flour and choose high-fiber grains.

o Consult your doctor. A healthy body feeds a healthy mind.

o Keep in touch with your Academic Advisor to make sure you are meeting the necessary requirements to complete your degree.

In the fall 2006 term, 3.5 million students representing 20% ​​of all US higher education students took at least one course online (2007. The Sloan Consortium). Distance education is projected to continue to grow in popularity nationally and internationally. The most frequently offered online academic programs are Business, Computer Science and Engineering, Education, Engineering, Library Science, Nursing, and Public Health. Whether you select a community college, public institution, private institution, or Ivy League university, enjoy the learning experience.

© 2007-2008 Jeanna Foy-Stanley