Studying at a distance

Yheza Janopol Danoy

Jomarie Balza Cosare

Submitted to: Ms. Mizpahgen P. Moralla

STUDYING AT A

DISTANCE

The Challenges Faced by

Students in Distance Learning

Marcie Thomas

“Enjoy the benefits of distance learning, but be aware of its pitfalls”.

SupportThis creates a challenge for students who might need or desire academic or technical support, and it can quickly become a source of frustration.

InteractivityThe lack of face-to-face interactions between student, teacher and other classmates can be problematic for those new to the distance-learning environment. A lack of meaningful interactivity may cause students to feel isolated and become discouraged.

In a distance-learning class, students must be committed to their own success but the social pressure to comply is absent. Students must possess or learn to develop the self-discipline required to organize their time effectively and participate fully in the learning process.

Commitment

TechnologyTechnology that is unavailable or unstable quickly becomes a barrier for distance-learning students. Technology that is hard to learn or use is enormously frustrating. Tutorials, user guides and other support systems should be in place for distance-learning students, in order to minimize - if not eliminate - this problem.

IsolationNot only do distance-learning students lack the ability to interact face-to-face with faculty, but they also miss out on person-to-person feedback from their peers, which, as the study states, can cause students to doubt their own abilities.

ProcrastinationFor the type of student

who struggles with procrastination, this academic autonomy can also be a curse. After all, it's easy to put off assignments until later and then find yourself in a panic playing catch-up.

Why Students Choose Online?

Student Views of Distance Learning (An Office of the Administration of Children and Families- Early Childhood and Knowledge Center)

We asked Gwen Ridley Robertson, a family child care provider, why she chose online [education] and her answer was simple, "I'm in my home all day and work from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. and online is so convenient. If I tried to get to class, by the time I drove and found a place to park, I would always be late.”

Gwen, who took courses at the University of Cincinnati and received her A.A., is now starting a B.A. degree. She did not expect the level of involvement she found. "I expected only e-mail communication, but the teachers helped me network beyond my own course with others and instructors were available to talk by phone. If I left a message on the discussion boards, I had a response in two days."

Donna Britt, who received her Ed.D in Management of Programs in Child and Youth Services from Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, FL (www.nova.edu) said what she discovered exceeded her expectations. "I realized that I can develop strong relationships with my fellow students without seeing them," she said. "Online courses opened up a whole new world of learning."

Kathy learned how to send assignments and attach pictures. Jean had to become familiar with word processing software and spreadsheets and how to download and upload assignments to the Web site. "I learned to adapt to the way each professor distributed materials and returned papers just like a student in a face-to-face class does," she said.

There were two primary challenges faced by these

students:• Time managementKathy remarked, "It is

important to stick to your plan and not good to fall behind. The professors give you a realistic timeline and the class Web sites have all the assignments and discussion topics listed."

• Participating in the student teaching process online differed from traditional classrooms

Jean said: "My mentor, who also worked in my agency, videotaped me in the classroom doing a specific activity. I sent the videotape to my professor who posted it on the Web site. Then I watched it with my mentor and professor and they offered feedback."

www.fromdoctopdf.com

The Problems Faced by Students in Distance LearningBy Marcie Thomas

Student Views of Distance Learning (An Office of the Administration of Children and Families- Early Childhood and Knowledge Center)

REFERENCES