Distance Learning: Successful Strategies

Distance Learning offers convenience and a new way to explore learning but it is not for everyone. Like any new endeavor, to be successful consider the commitment, the computer skills and the system requirements required.

Commitment
  • Make time in your schedule to complete coursework. While most courses do not regularly require you to be online at any specific time, students need to make time in your schedule to complete the coursework.
  • Keep up with regularly scheduled course assignments.
  • Attend on-campus class meetings for hybrid of DVD/Video courses
  • Participate in virtual class meetings, if required for your course.  Some instructors use Blackboard, Moodle or Adobe Connect for scheduled, online lectures, discussions, and/or other class activities.
  • Collaborate with other students (e.g. online class discussion)
  • Communicate with your instructor when you need help with course material.
  • Contact Information Technology Support when you need help with technical problems.
Daily access to a computer with the following minimum specs:
  • Windows XP or higher or Mac OS X or higher.
  • Internet connection: high speed (cable or DSL) strongly recommended.  A 56kb dialup connection may pose problems, since many instructors now use multimedia content that requires a high speed Internet connection.
  • Internet Explorer v6.0 or higher or Safari v1.0 or higher.
  • Current antivirus and anti-spyware software.
  • MS Office (2003 or more recent preferred) or compatible word processor.
Basic computer skills (minimum requirements):
  • Ability to navigating the Windows or Mac operating system and desktop environment.
  • Ability to save and organize files in directories and folders.
  • Ability to send and receive email and email attachments.
  • Ability to search the Web efficiently.
  • Ability to use MS Word or compatible word processor to write papers.
  • Additional skills specific to the course you plan to take may be required.

What makes a successful online student? Click here to find out.


Last Modified: December 1, 2009