Online learning isn't for everyone. And that's fine, because the face-to-face classroom isn't for everyone, textbooks aren't for everyone and computer-based training modules aren't for everyone. But if you are thinking of taking an online course, you need to consider whether or not you'll be successful as an online learner. Some of the questions you need to ask yourself are obvious, but others not so. Do I have basic computer skills? Do you know how to navigate to a web site, to copy and paste from a web page into an email, save a file etc? Do I have the time to do this? Can I budget my time to do this? If you wait until you have time to take an online class you never will get started. You must make time to take the class. We know students who commit the same time each and every day to an online class are most likely to be successful. Am I flexible? Web sites crash, files get lost,online things happen and you must be flexible and be “able to go with the flow”. Do I ask questions? In a face-to-face class I can see when my students don’t understand something – the blank stare is a good indicator. Online the only way we know if you need help is if you ask for it. Are you willing and able to ask for help before you get frustrated? Can I communicate in and learn from the written word? If you enjoy listening to your teacher lecture or watching a movie to learn then online learning is NOT for you. If you learn well be reading and writing then online learning IS for you. Am I self motivated? No one is going to be looking over your shoulder to make sure you are working and not watching You Tube videos or updating your Facebook page. You need to step up and accept responsibility for working in your online class. After all it is your credit that you are earning Do I use email to communicate? As old school as it may be we still use email to communicate with students. You will be sending all your work in via email as well as asking questions and we will be responding via email. If you don’t have and use an email account you cannot “attend” an online school.Need a free account? We recommend Google Mail.
Is online learning right for me?
