Upon starting with distance learning courses, there are a couple of things one should keep in mind in order to do well. Reading comprehension skills should be at college level because distance learning courses involves a great amount of reading. Even though there are courses that are taught through video or audio supplements, most classes train through the written word. Because there is little physical contact between students and teachers in a distance learning program, students must learn to be independent of guidance that may easily be offered in a live classroom setting.
Motivation is the biggest factor in making it through a distance learning program. Distance learning courses aren't in a classroom with other students or part of a regular routine (unless you make them so). You'll be completing your distance learning courses in a place of your choice and your studies are independent of others or school class schedules. Just like finding motivation to get up to go to a live campus, you need motivation to stay focused and disciplined while participating in any distance learning program.
Understand deadlines and avoid procrastinating. With a regular class, you must turn in homework assignments, quizzes, and exams in a timely manner. You'll have to do the same with courses you take through distance learning online, but you should make sure that you have all your regular work done on time so that the impending deadline of an assignment doesn't loom up and catch you short of time. A distance learning program allows you to learn at your own pace, but this does not mean that you can put off doing actual work until the last minute.
Know when it is time to work on your distance learning courses. It can be easy to get sidetracked when taking an online course. There is temptation to steer off track when the internet is involved and you have access to email and browsing while you study. A good way to prevent being sidetracked is to do as much work for your distance learning courses as you can offline. Only sign on to your online course website when you really need to, such as when posting to a discussion board or taking a quiz.
If possible, set aside a certain time of day when things are less hectic to do work on your distance learning courses. Try to find an ideal place to study, where you are not easily distracted and all your course materials are within reach. Use this time to focus. Try to establish a regular study schedule for your distance learning where you can be working at the same time every day.
Do not let the workload intimidate you. When it comes to online distance learning, the course work can be much more difficult than a class taught on campus, because there tends to be more ground to cover or the material being studied is very focused in subject matter. Break the course work down into smaller and more manageable pieces. This way, you can give each section more of your attention and concentration, which makes tackling a big project a less daunting task.
Taking distance learning courses involves, of course, the use of a computer and the internet. You'll need to be familiar and comfortable with computers and navigating your way around the distance learning program website in order to hand in online learning course assignments. If you need to, brush up on your computer skills by taking a course on the basics, and then tackle distance learning online courses.
Learn more about distance learning programs and distance education courses at http://answersabouteducation.com/
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
3 Important Truths About Adult Education
As an instructor at a state college I know that today's college student is just as likely to be middle-aged (or older) as a teenager. Yet, I frequently find myself counseling adults who are thinking about returning to school to further their education. Actually, it is not so much a counseling session as it is a bit of a pep talk. One of the major reasons many adults hesitate before going back to school is the simple fear that they will not be able to keep up intellectually with their younger classmates. Well stop worrying about that. Here are three reasons that the majority of older students actually out perform their younger counterparts in the college classroom.
First, the simple truth is that in most cases the older student is more motivated than the younger student. It is more likely that the older student is footing the bill so values their education for that reason and wants to make sure they get the most out of their investment. Also, older students have also experienced the working world without a degree and so are very motivated to gain the financial and professional advantages of an education. This motivation is what gets older students through the challenges that college throws at them -- challenges that might derail a younger, less experienced, student. In addition, nontraditional students have usually learned the hard life lesson that having the right attitude is half the battle.
Second, nontraditional students usually know much more about time management than traditional students. Most nontraditional students are balancing work, school, and family so they are very efficient and effective managers of their time. Older students are also more effective at prioritizing their various commitments based on their greater life experience. I see so many more younger, more traditional students getting themselves into trouble with their classes and assignments and observe in many cases the problem is one of simple time management and priorities.
Finally, the greater and more diverse your life experience then the more you know. It is really quite simple. If you have worked, raised a family, and served your community then you know more than most teenagers about a number of things. It just stands to reason. While the younger student might have the advantage of knowledge of certain scientific principles or mathematical rules as well as more recent practice in writing and studying. The older student knows more about people and interpersonal dynamics, their own personal strengths and weaknesses, and historical events as well as current events.
These are not universal truths. Obviously there are younger, more traditional students, who are mature enough to be properly motivated as well as good time managers. Equally there are older students who are not properly motivated and no little about time management. Similarly some older students have lead sheltered lives and some younger students have lead lives of variety and challenge. As a rule, however, I can pretty confidently state that many nontraditional students can find these three strengths -- motivation, time management, and life experience -- can help them outperform their more traditional counterparts in the college classroom. If your age is all that is holding you back from pursuing your degree then remember that age offers advantages as well as disadvantages.
Deanna Mascle shares more about adult education and other advice in her blog at http://dawggone.net
First, the simple truth is that in most cases the older student is more motivated than the younger student. It is more likely that the older student is footing the bill so values their education for that reason and wants to make sure they get the most out of their investment. Also, older students have also experienced the working world without a degree and so are very motivated to gain the financial and professional advantages of an education. This motivation is what gets older students through the challenges that college throws at them -- challenges that might derail a younger, less experienced, student. In addition, nontraditional students have usually learned the hard life lesson that having the right attitude is half the battle.
Second, nontraditional students usually know much more about time management than traditional students. Most nontraditional students are balancing work, school, and family so they are very efficient and effective managers of their time. Older students are also more effective at prioritizing their various commitments based on their greater life experience. I see so many more younger, more traditional students getting themselves into trouble with their classes and assignments and observe in many cases the problem is one of simple time management and priorities.
Finally, the greater and more diverse your life experience then the more you know. It is really quite simple. If you have worked, raised a family, and served your community then you know more than most teenagers about a number of things. It just stands to reason. While the younger student might have the advantage of knowledge of certain scientific principles or mathematical rules as well as more recent practice in writing and studying. The older student knows more about people and interpersonal dynamics, their own personal strengths and weaknesses, and historical events as well as current events.
These are not universal truths. Obviously there are younger, more traditional students, who are mature enough to be properly motivated as well as good time managers. Equally there are older students who are not properly motivated and no little about time management. Similarly some older students have lead sheltered lives and some younger students have lead lives of variety and challenge. As a rule, however, I can pretty confidently state that many nontraditional students can find these three strengths -- motivation, time management, and life experience -- can help them outperform their more traditional counterparts in the college classroom. If your age is all that is holding you back from pursuing your degree then remember that age offers advantages as well as disadvantages.
Deanna Mascle shares more about adult education and other advice in her blog at http://dawggone.net
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Advice For Life - Why It Is Necessary To Keep Your Desire To Learn
Necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn. Have you ever pondered upon how fundamental learning is to your life in terms of your ability to not only survive but also to thrive both professionally and personally? Becoming a lifelong learner is important to your health, your success, and your happiness, but if that is not enough reason to learn more then consider these three fundamental reasons to keep your desire to learn and to live and learn.
Change is necessary part of life. If humans did not change then we would not have survived as long as we have upon this planet. Change is important, even essential, but while key that change does not need to be something huge and momentous. Small changes are often daunting enough and can still lead to big rewards.
Learning can increase your strengths. The old adage "the more you learn, the more you learn you don't know" holds true in almost every field of knowledge and human experience. There is always something more you can learn even if you are an expert and few of us hold such expertise that we cannot learn something new.
Learning helps you challenge yourself. If you do not challenge yourselve to learn and grow, whether it is a physical or mental skill, then you begin to die. While that may sound harsh, it is simply reality. Learning keeps you young both physically and mentally because it gives your life direction and fosters your will to live. Discovery and learning is healthy and essential to thriving as a human being no matter what your age.
These are just three fundamental reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
Find more advice for life at http://adviceforlife.net/
Change is necessary part of life. If humans did not change then we would not have survived as long as we have upon this planet. Change is important, even essential, but while key that change does not need to be something huge and momentous. Small changes are often daunting enough and can still lead to big rewards.
Learning can increase your strengths. The old adage "the more you learn, the more you learn you don't know" holds true in almost every field of knowledge and human experience. There is always something more you can learn even if you are an expert and few of us hold such expertise that we cannot learn something new.
Learning helps you challenge yourself. If you do not challenge yourselve to learn and grow, whether it is a physical or mental skill, then you begin to die. While that may sound harsh, it is simply reality. Learning keeps you young both physically and mentally because it gives your life direction and fosters your will to live. Discovery and learning is healthy and essential to thriving as a human being no matter what your age.
These are just three fundamental reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
Find more advice for life at http://adviceforlife.net/
JustFolks - Why It Is Important To Keep Your Desire To Learn
Important reasons to keep your desire to learn. Have you ever considered upon how necessary learning is to your life in terms of your ability to not only survive but also to thrive both professionally and personally? Becoming a lifelong learner is important to your health, your success, and your happiness, but if that is not enough reason to learn more then consider these three necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn and to live and learn.
Change is healthy. Change is healthy for your diet, your physical well being, your mental state, and your brain's health. While change is not always comfortable its benefits usually far outweigh its challenges. We know change is good for us but that doesn't make it easy to force ourselves to change.
Learning can decrease your weaknesses. Most of us spend a lot of time and effort trying to conceal or compensate for our weaknesses when that time would be much better spent simply learning more about that particular aspect of our lives and learning how we can decrease that weakness. Perhaps with time and effor that weakness can become a strength.
Learning keeps your mind sharp. Study after study shows that when it comes to the brain it really is use it or lose it. Challenging your brain by learning new skills and experiencing new things can foster brain growth and development no matter what your age. One of the reasons why young children's brains grow at such a rapid rate is because they are constantly learning new things. As we grow older we tend to slow and even stop learning which is damaging to our brains.
These are just three necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
Find more about how to live and learn direct from JustFolks at http://justfolks.net/
Change is healthy. Change is healthy for your diet, your physical well being, your mental state, and your brain's health. While change is not always comfortable its benefits usually far outweigh its challenges. We know change is good for us but that doesn't make it easy to force ourselves to change.
Learning can decrease your weaknesses. Most of us spend a lot of time and effort trying to conceal or compensate for our weaknesses when that time would be much better spent simply learning more about that particular aspect of our lives and learning how we can decrease that weakness. Perhaps with time and effor that weakness can become a strength.
Learning keeps your mind sharp. Study after study shows that when it comes to the brain it really is use it or lose it. Challenging your brain by learning new skills and experiencing new things can foster brain growth and development no matter what your age. One of the reasons why young children's brains grow at such a rapid rate is because they are constantly learning new things. As we grow older we tend to slow and even stop learning which is damaging to our brains.
These are just three necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
Find more about how to live and learn direct from JustFolks at http://justfolks.net/
How To Learn More - Why It Is Important To Keep Your Desire To Learn
Important reasons to keep your desire to learn. Have you ever thought upon how key learning is to your life in terms of your ability to not only survive but also to thrive both professionally and personally? Becoming a lifelong learner is important to your health, your success, and your happiness, but if that is not enough reason to learn more then consider these three key reasons to keep your desire to learn and to live and learn.
Change is necessary part of life. If humans did not change then we would not have survived as long as we have upon this planet. Change is important, even essential, but while key that change does not need to be something huge and momentous. Small changes are often daunting enough and can still lead to big rewards.
Learning can decrease your weaknesses. Most of us spend a lot of time and effort trying to conceal or compensate for our weaknesses when that time would be much better spent simply learning more about that particular aspect of our lives and learning how we can decrease that weakness. Perhaps with time and effor that weakness can become a strength.
Learning keeps your mind sharp. Study after study shows that when it comes to the brain it really is use it or lose it. Challenging your brain by learning new skills and experiencing new things can foster brain growth and development no matter what your age. One of the reasons why young children's brains grow at such a rapid rate is because they are constantly learning new things. As we grow older we tend to slow and even stop learning which is damaging to our brains.
These are just three key reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
Learn how to learn more at http://howtolearnmore.com/
Change is necessary part of life. If humans did not change then we would not have survived as long as we have upon this planet. Change is important, even essential, but while key that change does not need to be something huge and momentous. Small changes are often daunting enough and can still lead to big rewards.
Learning can decrease your weaknesses. Most of us spend a lot of time and effort trying to conceal or compensate for our weaknesses when that time would be much better spent simply learning more about that particular aspect of our lives and learning how we can decrease that weakness. Perhaps with time and effor that weakness can become a strength.
Learning keeps your mind sharp. Study after study shows that when it comes to the brain it really is use it or lose it. Challenging your brain by learning new skills and experiencing new things can foster brain growth and development no matter what your age. One of the reasons why young children's brains grow at such a rapid rate is because they are constantly learning new things. As we grow older we tend to slow and even stop learning which is damaging to our brains.
These are just three key reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
Learn how to learn more at http://howtolearnmore.com/
Now Learn More - Why It Is Necessary To Keep Your Desire To Learn
Necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn. Have you ever weighed upon how necessary learning is to your life in terms of your ability to not only survive but also to thrive both professionally and personally? Becoming a lifelong learner is important to your health, your success, and your happiness, but if that is not enough reason to learn more then consider these three necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn and to live and learn.
Change is good. Yes, we often resist that idea because so often change is not comfortable. However moving outside our comfort zone can help us become better at all manner of things. We can become better people, better professionals, and better at any number of things you can dream up.
Learning can increase your strengths. The old adage "the more you learn, the more you learn you don't know" holds true in almost every field of knowledge and human experience. There is always something more you can learn even if you are an expert and few of us hold such expertise that we cannot learn something new.
Learning and challenging ourselves can protect against memory loss. It is important to remember that the brain is a muscle and we must exercise that muscle regularly if we want it to retain its strength and resilience. Learning new skills, enjoying new experiences, and offering our brains new challenges can all contribute to a long, healthy life for our brain. Just as you protect your body and health watch out for your brain's health as well by becoming a lifelong learner.
These are just three necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
You can now learn more at http://nowlearnmore.com/
Change is good. Yes, we often resist that idea because so often change is not comfortable. However moving outside our comfort zone can help us become better at all manner of things. We can become better people, better professionals, and better at any number of things you can dream up.
Learning can increase your strengths. The old adage "the more you learn, the more you learn you don't know" holds true in almost every field of knowledge and human experience. There is always something more you can learn even if you are an expert and few of us hold such expertise that we cannot learn something new.
Learning and challenging ourselves can protect against memory loss. It is important to remember that the brain is a muscle and we must exercise that muscle regularly if we want it to retain its strength and resilience. Learning new skills, enjoying new experiences, and offering our brains new challenges can all contribute to a long, healthy life for our brain. Just as you protect your body and health watch out for your brain's health as well by becoming a lifelong learner.
These are just three necessary reasons to keep your desire to learn that should give you food for thought and hopefully start you on the road to learning more and improving yourself today, tomorrow, and all the tomorrows to come. Now go forth and live and learn so you too can reap the benefits of becoming a lifelong learner!
You can now learn more at http://nowlearnmore.com/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)