Athabasca University Article

The Skinny on Distance Learning Programs

If you have access to the Internet, or watch television, then you likely have heard of distance learning before. But, do you really know what distance learning is, or what it could do for you? Distance learning allows parents, and other people who are busy with work and family still be able to earn a degree, in their own time, from their own home. These degrees, diplomas, or certifications can be used to help them advance in their current jobs, or help them to find new ones. If you think that you can’t earn a college degree, or even your high school diploma simply because you don’t have the time to go to school, then you should really think about distance learning, after all, you are who it was originally designed for in the first place.

While many distance learning programs are done entirely online, not all of them rely solely on the Internet. In fact, some distance learning programs are done via snail mail, others take advantage of local television, or video conferencing. You aren’t necessarily not able to take a distance learning course because you don’t have a computer in your home, or aren’t computer literate, there are other options.

The equipment you will need will vary greatly with your course of study, and the distance learning program that you decide to join. In some instances, you may be required to have a computer, access to the Internet, and a decent web browser, but that is not always the case. If you do take an online distance learning course, you may need some additional software, again depending on the specific courses that you take.

Distance learning can be the answer that you have been looking for, if you have always wanted to further your education, and just haven’t been able to find the time to do so. You can take courses when your schedule permits, rather than having to rearrange your life around your classes. You don’t have to get involved in the social aspects of college, as you can do all of your work from home, and never have to talk to anyone, unless you choose to do so.

If you aren’t able to stay on task and work well unsupervised, then you might not be successful with distance learning. You will have work and tests that are due just like in regular college courses, and if you can’t stay motivated enough to get those done, then you should consider another learning alterative. You will not have someone holding your hand telling you what is due and when, so you will have to be able to get it on your own. You are in control of your own success or failure, so keep that in mind.

If you do well working by yourself, and learn new ideas fairly easily, then you should be a success with distance learning. It all really depends on the type of person you are.