Characteristics of Successful Online Students

Distance Education is not for everyone. A successful distance-learning student will have or develop the following attributes:

1)        A self-directed and self-motivated approach to learning

2)        An ability to read carefully and follow written instructions

3)        Maintains self-discipline and avoid procrastinations

4)        Possesses effective study skills and habits

5)        Has a sincere desire to learn and participate in class activities

6)        Enjoys working independently and pacing their own learning

7)        Communicates effectively

8)        Possesses basic computer skills including how to use e-mail and navigate the world wide web

In addition to these characteristics, successful distance learning students must possess a certain comfort level with technology.

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Basic Technology Skills

Having the finest computer available will not assist you in Distance Learning unless you have the basic technology skills necessary for participating in Distance Learning classes.  Distance Learning students will need to have or quickly develop the following skills:

1)     Basic keyboarding and word processing skills;

2)     Basic Internet skills including accessing the web, navigating the web, and search techniques;

3)     Basic e-mail skills including sending and receiving mail, sending and receiving attachments; and,

4)     Basic Internet communication skills including participation in discussion boards and chat rooms.

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Time Requirements

How much time is it going to take?  This is a common question that we hear every semester.  For the average student, the following information will assist in understanding the time requirements of the "average" class.

For a traditional campus based course (Fall & Spring Semesters) that meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for one hour each day, the traditional student commits 3 hours to classroom participation.  In addition, the student is required to complete reading assignments, research projects, homework, and various reports requiring a minimum of an additional 4 - 6 hours per week depending on the course.  The traditional student now has approximately 7 - 9 hours of time involved for each course they are taking.  Add in the various activities necessary to support taking the course, and the typical student is usually devoting around 10 hours per course per week.

For the distance learning student, typically the same amount of time (approximately 10 hours per week) will be necessary to devote in support of completing each course.  Not all of time will be spent "online", just as not all of the time spent in the traditional classroom is "in the classroom".   You will have reading assignments, research projects, homework, and various reports in addition to the time spent with the "classroom" presentations made available in your course sites.

For students taking distance courses for the summer, then this figure will need to be adjusted to 12 - 15 hours per week per course due to the compressed nature of the summer courses.

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