Is Online Education a Good Choice for You?

online education programs allow busy students to juggle school with jobs, kids, and other adult responsibilities that often make returning to a traditional school schedule impossible.

However, not everyone is cut out for distance learning. It takes dedication, discipline and responsibility to have a successful online education experience. In order to avoid wasting precious time and money, experts agree that students considering distance education should carefully weigh the pros and cons before making any decision.

On-line education programs require students to be able to work unsupervised; without the presence of an instructor or classmates. Instructors communicate with students through different on-line methods but there is no opportunity for hands-on training. There are no support networks, guidance counselors or study groups that you can meet with face-to-face. Everything is conducted online. Successful on-line students need to be comfortable working on their own.

One of the main elements of on-line education programs is interacting with instructors and classmates using email and message boards. An on-line student needs to be experienced at using these forms of communication; it is easy to quickly become left behind in an on-line classroom situation if lines of communication are not open.

The ability to express one’s thoughts, ideas and questions through the written word is also an important skill necessary to succeed in an on-line program. Precise writing helps students quickly convey to the instructor any problems that may be having which allows the instructor to evaluate and aid in the student’s progress. The inability to effectively communicate in writing is a leading factor in many on-line education program failures.

On-line students need organizational skills in order to set up and follow their own set of study schedules. This takes a large amount of discipline that many people simply do not have. Students need the ability to block out ringing telephones, demanding family members and a host of other distractions while concentrating on the task at hand. This skill is essential for anyone attempting to earn an on-line degree.

With the freedom that comes with distance education comes the responsibility of ensuring one’s own success. Distance education students are ultimately the ones responsible for achieving their goals; their dedication becomes an intricate part of their education experience.

Distance learning is not an inexpensive alternative to brick and mortar schools; it often costs the same as a traditional college education. This makes it vitally important to find out first if distance learning is for you.

Mary Poodel has taught and counseled students at all levels and partnered in numerous educational websites. She is an acknowledged expert in online college programs and online degrees.