Cultus
We live in the information age, growing accustomed to information at the speed of light that the prospect of not having immediate access to countless numbers of facts and figures with a single click of a few buttons for many of us is simply disconcerting. For these reasons, it only makes sense that there are many people around the world that are embracing the idea of online learning and educational opportunities, with every ounce of enthusiasm they can muster.
You have to aware that there are equal numbers of people around the world who are trying desperately to hold on to traditional methods of dealing with certain things. Some people actually still play solitaire with a real deck of playing cards, not on screen. For people who feel that the information age has left them behind to some degree, the chances are quite good that online learning may not be the best available option.
Below are few questions which can help you decide whether or not you would truly benefit by taking some of the many online courses offered in today’s information age of learning.
1) Are you self-disciplined?
This may seem like an innocuous question, because we would all like to think that we are disciplined at least to some degree. The problem is that when you are in the driver’s seat for your own education, you need to have a little more than small degree of discipline. You need to be able to meet deadlines, take the examination tests and hold yourself responsible for actually learning the information that you need to learn in order to pass the course. There is no one to blame, but yourself if you do not manage to do well at your online classes. Some people simply do not like being in the driver’s seat when it comes to motivating and pacing themselves and their learning practices.
2) What is your best method of learning?
We all have different methods of learning, for which we retain and remember information better than others. Online courses are reading intensive, and if you have difficulties retaining the information you read, you may need to find an alternate learning method or seek solutions with the assistance of the course instructor, before moving forward in an online learning environment.
3) Do you have a desire to succeed?
The answer to this question is quite important when determining whether or not online learning is in your best interest. There are many paths you can take in order to achieve the education and degree you desire, so the willingness to succeed in this goal is crucial. This is not yet the path of the masses. This type of learning, more than any other is easy to give up on through apathy, so if you are not determined to do the assignments, to study the lectures and to really learn the material that is presented to you, then you really do not need to waste your time or the instructor’s time by continually making up excuses. Online courses are self-paced, but you do have a limited amount of time to learn the material before you need to move on. The teacher is responsible for providing you the information and material, but you are the responsible person for everything that happens from that moment on.
Regardless whether you are a first time college student or a professional that is returning to school after a long absence, e-learning can open new doors of opportunity for your learning pleasure. You must be willing to walk through those doors and take the information that is presented to you, in order to be successful.
I honestly hope that everyone reading this will carefully consider whether or not the lack of structure that many online courses provides, is going to be conducive to your specific learning and educational needs before taking the plunge.
There are still many years to pass until e-learning completely replaces the traditional one. This will be a process that includes change of mentality, habits and behavior of the people. The choice is yours!
