Is Distance Learning Right for You?

I have been a distance learning teacher and a distance learning student. The combined experience has taught me that distance learning is not right for everyone. Sometimes I wasn’t sure it was right for me! It may be hard to believe but I sometimes have trouble staying focused and on task. Not having someone always prodding me sometimes made it hard for me to get my work done when I was younger. Who am I kidding, it’s still hard! Nevertheless I decided that ultimately distance learning was and continues to be the best option for me. Look at the reasons below to help you decide if distance learning is right for you.

Distance Learning Is Right For You IF:

• You are very disciplined
o You will be given assignments and due dates but other than that probably won’t receive many reminders.

• You live too far away to attend a traditional class
o If you live in a small town and there are no schools nearby then distance learning is an excellent option. I couldn’t move to attend school and the commute to the closest college was almost two hours each way. Even if there are schools nearby they may not offer the classes you would like to take. By attending another distance learning program you can study what you want to and not settle for what the closest college offers.  

• You like being able to work at your own pace.
o A lot of distance learning teachers will post all assignments and due dates at the beginning of each semester. Then students can move as quickly as they like.

• You would rather read the information than have to sit through a lecture.
o Traditionally everything in a distance learning class was text based. However, with faster internet connections and a growing demand for this format some schools now record lectures and let students download them.

With the advances of distance learning over the past several years there are now more opportunities than ever to earn your degree in whatever field you want. This is such an exciting time to be in education or to be earning a degree. What has been your experience with distance learning?