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Is An
Internet Class Right For You
Is An Internet Class Right For You
By: Deanna Mascle
While
education has been available via the internet from the beginning
in recent years most
mainstream educational institutions have really
embraced the web as an educational medium.
Sooner or later high school
and college students are faced with the question of whether or not
to
take an internet class. In fact, a good number of mainstream, accredited institutions even
offer entire degree programs online.
While
the internet can be a wonderful educational tool and taking classes
online can be very
convenient, it is important to note that taking an
internet course is not for everyone. I have
taken internet classes and
in recent years taught about 50 students every semester via the
internet (for a mainstream, accredited university) so I have a pretty
good idea what to look for
in a successful internet student. How do you
know whether or not an internet course is right for
you? You have to
consider three basic issues that can dramatically impact your success
in
an online course:
*
Technology--Skills, knowledge, and available equipment
*
Learning Style
*
Student behavior
Your
knowledge of basic internet technology and the equipment you have to
use for your studies
are important factors in your success. Consider
these areas:
*
Consistent internet access
*
Access to reliable, functional computer
*
Copy-and-paste or cut-and-paste from one source to another
*
Understand use of search engines
*
Email account with ability to send and receive attachments
*
Ability to forward and reply to emails
*
Knowledge of appropriate email etiquette
* Post
messages to a discussion board
* Post
messages with attachments to a discussion board
*
Visit sites by use of hyperlink or URL
* Move
forward and backward through sites
*
Download files from the Web
Most
internet instructors do not consider it their job to guide you through
these areas. They expect
that you already have a working knowledge of
using the internet and ready to get to work on the
course assignments
and materials.
While
technological skills can be easily learned,
there are other issues that affect student success
in internet classes
and one of those is learning style.
How do
you learn best? If you aren't sure you might want to visit:
http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire
Are
you a visual learner that learns best by sight? Then an internet course
should be suited for you.
Are you an auditory learner that learns best
by hearing? Then an internet course may not be suited
to you (unless
the instructor offers a number of recorded lectures). Are you a text
learner that learns
best by reading and/or writing? Then an internet
course is probably ideally suited for you. Are you a
kinaesthetic
learner that learns best by using sensation or performing a task? Then
an internet course
might work for you. An internet course simply does
not work well for some learning styles. However
it is ideally suited
for people who learn best by reading and writing. It is also important
to remember
that learning style is only one part of the equation.
The
final element to help you determine whether or not an internet course
is right for you is your own
student behavior and attitude? What is
your primary reason for taking an internet course? If it is
convenience
or scheduling then you are taking an internet course for the right
reason but if you perceive
that it will be an "easy" class with a
lighter workload then you might be in for a surprise! You should also
consider your own work style and ethic. Are you self-disciplined and
able to set and keep your goals and
tasks? Then an internet course is
ideally suited for you, but if you require regular reminders to keep
up-to-date with your course work then you
might want to consider a
different type of class.
An
internet course requires you to be
self-motivated and self-disciplined. With the freedom and flexibility
of the online environment comes responsibility. The online process
takes real commitment and discipline
to keep up with the flow of the
process. Staying up with the class and completing all work on time is
vital.
Once a student gets behind, it is almost impossible to catch up.
Once
you have fully considered all three critical areas: technology,
learning style, and student behavior,
then you should be ready to
determine if you are ready to take an internet class. Many students
find that
they love taking classes on
the internet and in fact seem to be more successful in an internet class.
However some
students discover
that they struggle in an internet class and that their grades suffer as
well. It is important to make an educated decision before enrolling so your academic record does not
suffer from a hasty decision.
You can read more
articles by Deanna Mascle and
learn more
about education
at AnswersAboutEducation.com
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