Distance & Online Learning

Are you an Online Learner?

If you like to work independently and have good organizational skills, online learning may be a good option for you. Online learning works well for people with busy work schedules or family responsibilities, because you decide when and where you do your coursework. Yet distance learning is not for everyone. Be aware that online courses require a significant number of hours each week, a high level of self-motivation and self-discipline.

Online learning becomes easier as you get used to it. It may take you a few weeks to become comfortable in the online environment. Most courses have been deliberately designed with lighter workloads in the first weeks of the semester, but if you begin to feel lost or overwhelmed, don’t panic! Talk to your classmates and the instructor and someone will be able to help.

You must be highly motivated and able to complete work on time with minimal prompting by the instructor. It is difficult to catch up if you fall behind in an online course. If you tend to procrastinate, online learning may not be the best option for you.

MATC’s online courses are asynchronous, meaning that you are not required to log on at a particular time of the day. Please note, however, that this does not mean the courses are self-paced – you will still be required to meet regular deadlines for contributing to discussions, submitting assignments and completing tests and quizzes.

Take an active role in learning. Providing quality participation and frequent contact with your instructor and your classmates are crucial to succeeding in an online course.

Interacting and learning online requires reading, writing and typing skills. Most instructional material is in written form, you should be able to learn effectively by reading, and you should be able to communicate your ideas effectively in writing.

Online learning is time-consuming. Many students have found that online learning is more work than face-to-face learning. It may not take more total time since you don’t have to drive to class, find a place to park and sit in class, but it should seem that you are spending more time than what you are used to in terms of homework. Reading and writing always take longer than talking and listening

Be clear about your technical skills. If you are uncertain of your ability in this area, contact the instructor ahead of time and make sure your computer, keyboarding and email skills are proficient enough for the class. If you wish to build up your computer skills, MATC offers a variety of beginning software courses, in both online and classroom formats. See Technical Requirements.

Get to know your instructors. Many instructors have webpages. You can find more information about an instructor by going to " Class Resources" located under "Student Resources." Effective instructors will help guide student discussions with frequent comments, provide personalized feedback and progress reports, and schedule regular “virtual office hours” when they are available to respond quickly to questions posted in the course, emails or telephone calls.

For more information about distance learning, read Online Learning Frequently Asked Questions.

Last Modified: January 30, 2007

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