Imagine yourself completing your Bachelor’s degree or attaining your goals of graduating with your Master’s degree…the excitement, the accomplishment, the knowledge! But wait, where will you find the time to do all of that? It may take years to attain those goals. Now, imagine yourself working full-time, and coming home to login to your online college courses in your pajamas after you have put the kids to bed. Distance learning is a growing trend in higher education.
The concept of virtual learning in the realm of higher education has been gaining in popularity over the past decade. The challenges of early online learning formats have given way to more interactive and intuitive technology. Many adult learners have fears of diving into the great wide world of virtual learning. These fears and concerns are real, especially if it has been a number of years since you were last in a learning environment. Today’s learning environments include user-friendly online platforms, requiring very little technical skills. If you can search on the internet, use email and basic computer skills such as uploading and downloading documents, you are already knowledgeable.
Another myth or concern about a distance learning format is that students will miss the interactions with their professors and peers. In today’s virtual learning environment, the platforms are designed to be very interactive. There are two primary formats for virtual learning: one is an online learning management system, which houses courses for true online students. Students study at their own pace while meeting assigned interactive touch points throughout each week of class; the second is truly distance learning through an interactive software system used within classrooms. Students can see their instructor, ask questions, interact with other students in another city and communicate directly from their computer. The only equipment that a student needs is to have an operable camera and microphone or telephone.
Finally, more and more employers are beginning to recognize the value of online learning and that this format of learning can be as rigorous as or sometimes even more rigorous than the traditional classroom format. Adult students that are completing degrees in an online format are typically very self-disciplined and very hard working individuals. Higher educational institutions offer student assistance with technical questions and preparatory courses for students to learn and understand the online environment as they begin their journey to attain their dreams. What are you waiting for?
About the Author
Nancy Steigmeyer, Dean of Graduate School, Assistant Professor
Trine University
steigmeyern@trine.edu
(260) 203-2694
trine.edu
