Online Education Learning Strategies for Adults
Tips for Success When Enrolled in Distance Education Courses
Jul 31, 2008
Being successful in distance education courses is not automatic. Adults going back to school may not be familiar with online education and the different requirements distance education places on students. However in many ways these courses are just like traditional education courses, studying and determination is the key to success.
The best way to approach a distance education course is to treat it like any other activity which is thoroughly enjoyed, such as a hobby. Success or failure is dependent on student effort, however everyone wants to be successful.
Distance education students must be very selective and focused in their learning strategies and techniques. This strategy supports mastery of the new information being taught in the course and not just being enrolled in the course because it is required.
Adult Education Tips for Success
To succeed and obtain the most from a distance education course, a student must avoid:
- Using quick memorization tactics just to pass a test
- Treating assignments as busy work
- Failing to make connections of new information with previously learned information
- Focusing on the parts of the course and not viewing the course as a whole
What distance education students need to do for success is:
- Focus on the significant ideas and how they relate to the whole of the course
- Make connections with past knowledge and experiences as they are related to the course information
- Make connections with current work related to or life experiences related to the course information
- Make arguments for or against the course information, instructors like well researched debate
Using these strategies for success allows internalization of the course material and lead to success in distance education.
Online Education Learning Strategies
There are many factors which influence distance education students. These include making time for the course. Regardless of how much time is saved not having to commute, the course still takes commitment. When enrolling in a distance education course, consider the amount of time the course will take and how much time is available. Some courses have more involved assignments than others; this is typical in any course – distance or traditional education.
The following are more tips for being successful:
- Manage Time – set aside a time for the course, specific time of day and which days. Do not waiver or take time off, stick to the schedule.
- Manage Stress – plan ahead, keep track of deadlines, stay on top of resources and research, and do not wait until the last minute. Last minute may have worked in other educational settings, however in distance education this typically leads to being unsuccessful.
- Be Proactive – balance the work load, ask for help from the instructor, and keep in touch with the instructor.
- Understand Course Expectations – read the online syllabus and if something is unclear, ask the instructor. If the instructor does not hear from a student, then the instructor typically assumes everything is fine. Avoid surprises when assignments are returned.
Many times adults going back to school have not had formal education, especially distance education, in a few years. This is why these tips are important; they lead to success when enrolled in any distance education course, regardless of the topic.
Visit 10 Tips for Adults Who are Going Back to School to find helpful tips for planning to go back to school. These tips help relieve the stress of enrolling in distance education and meeting course demands by providing strategies for going back to school.
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