The follwing questions are some of the most frequently asked on this subject of distance or distributed learning.

1. Are distance learning courses right for me?
2. Do I have to buy a home computer?
3. What type of computer should I buy?
4. How can I find out the meaning of RAM, megabyte and other technical terms?
5. Is taking an online course for everyone?
6. Do students have to sit down at their computers at the same time every day?
7. How does this process differ from correspondence study?
   

Are distance learning courses right for me?

There are many reasons why you might be drawn to an online education course, as opposed to taking a traditional classroom course. For instance, you might be in one of the following situations:

• Someone with a full-time job who is unable to personally attend classes because of time or distance restraints
• Someone who lives some distance from where classes are held
• Someone, who has a family which makes attending scheduled classes difficult
• Someone who is able to work successfully on his/her own, and who is adequately motivated.

top

Q: Do I have to buy a home computer?

A: No, but it will be a tremendous advantage for you in both your remaining studies and your future teaching career if you do. Please see the following pages for further advice:

top

Q: What type of computer should I buy?

A: This is a complicated question. As in many such questions, the answer is, "It all depends!"

If you already use a Windows or a Macintosh system, stick with it; there is no need to change. If you have never used a computer before, you don't have one in your house or your office, and your friends are not an avid proponent of a specific brand, then the answer (this year) is, "Buy a Windows."

The Windows environment has a consistent, easy to learn, user interface, and the faculty and staff that will proctor this course will be most proficient with the windows environment. As well as being better able to be used for this course, it is this individuals firm belief that the Windows environment is the most versatile and user friendly computer environment at this time. A windows computer will be easier to find software and other peripheral devises for when you begin using your computer outisde of this course. Please see the following pages for further advice:

A Student Guide for Purchasing a Computer (UC Davis)
Computer Purchasing FAQ's for Students (George Mason University)
Understanding the Internet

top

Q: How can I find out the meaning of "RAM", "megabyte" and other technical terms?

A: Here are some suggestions that should help you:

The Course Glossary provides short definitions of common computer terms
PC Webopaedia, a top-rated online encyclopedia dedicated to computer technology

top

Is taking an online course for everyone?

Taking an online may not be for everyone. The following 10 questions should help you determine if you are right for the online learning process. Answer Yes or No to each question.

1. Do you have (or are you willing to obtain) access to a computer and phone line at home?
2. Do you feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional educational facility?
3. Do you like the idea of sharing your work, life, and educational experiences as part of the learning process?
4. Can you make time during the day or night to participate in the learning process?
5. Are you a self- motivated and self- disciplined person?
6. Are you comfortable in communicating in writing?
7. Do you see value in being able to think an idea through before having to give a response?
8. Do you subscribe to the value of introducing critical thinking into the learning process?
9. Do you see the possibility of increased learning taking place when work/ life/ knowledge experiences are shared with peers?
10. Do you accept the value of facilitated learning as an advantage over the more traditional lecture-based learning processes?

Analysis of your responses:

Look carefully at your responses. To be a good candidate for an online program, you should have answered YES to questions 1, 4, and 6. In addition, you should have answered YES to 5 of the remaining 7 questions. If you did not meet these criteria, you should talk to the professor prior to registering for an online class. Here are some more resources: and another online quiz:

http://appserv.pace.edu/execute/page.cfm?doc_id=2423

top

Do students have to sit down at their computers at the same time every day?

No. You do all of your communication and work while off-line, and only go online to send and receive materials to and from your class group. In other words, you leave your written comments or work for others to see and check in at a later time to pick up the responses to those messages. This is the "asynchronous communication" part of online education.

top

How does this process differ from correspondence study?

An excellent question and the one which most frequently gets asked. Correspondence study is generally self-study with individual written communications between one student and one instructor.

Online classes, on the other hand, focus strongly on interactive or cooperative learning methods, which are best achieved in groups.

This winter you will participate in group discussion, academic debate, and social dialogue via Internet chat lines (e-mail) which eliminates the isolation of correspondence study and provides a peer group for support.

The group-driven components of this online model also contribute to knowledge building, as students share information and validate their ideas in an environment of group reaction.

top