By Michael R. Simonson
Picture yourself in a traditional classroom: You and the other students sit in rows facing a blackboard, listening quietly as your instructor outlines an idea on the chalkboard.
If you have a question you raise your hand, and when class ends you leave your assignments on the teacher's desk. Simple enough, but what if you're taking an online class?
In this guide, distance-learning expert Michael R. Simonson answers some of the most common questions about distance learning.
Q: For distance learning classes, how is homework usually submitted?
A: Most often, assignments are sent as attachments to e-mail messages or are posted on a Web site where they can be retrieved by the instructor. Some organizations ask that copies of assignments--especially major or final projects--be sent via the postal system, but most of the time e-mail attachments are the standard medium.
Q: What do I do if I need help with my homework or have a question about an assignment?
A: The most obvious place to seek assistance is from the course's instructor. Be sure to establish a personal relationship with the instructor: Contact him or her routinely and be proactive in seeking advice on homework and other assignments. Many quality distance education degree programs also have help desks or counselors to assist students. Many online courses also require students to form study groups. I personally feel this is the best route to take, but be sure to first check with your instructor about the rules regarding student interaction on projects and homework.
If you're taking a self-paced, instructorless class, you're on your own. But that doesn't mean you can't get help. Try searching the Web for information about the topic you are studying or asking a question in a topical chat room, such as those on MSN People & Chat! The Internet is a vast storehouse of information. The answer is out there somewhere--you just have to track it down.
Q: Is it easier to cheat in distance learning courses? How do instructors prevent this?
A: Cheating has always been fairly easy for the determined person, and distance education is no different than regular education in this respect. Increasingly, we are seeing quality degree programs that offer education to distant learners moving away from objective testing (such as a multiple choice exam) to more comprehensive methods of student assessment. Objective tests have always been the target of cheaters.
When I teach, I like to use a live audiobridge (similar to a telephone conference call) to question students about key ideas. These sessions are a little like verbal quizzes, and while students can and often do have notes in front of them, their understanding of the idea or concept becomes apparent relatively quickly.
Student assessment in a distance learning environment needs to be redesigned for the distant learner. Some methods of assessment are easier to implement than others, but almost any strategy to determine student learning is possible in a well-planned distance education environment.
When instructors give objective tests, the tests can be delivered online in either a timed or untimed environment. Some instructors ask onsite verifiers to certify that the student took the test according to the rules of the examination. Instructors increasingly use objective tests primarily for student self-assessment and use other assessment activities to determine the course grade.
Q: How do I know how I'm doing in an online course?
A: In a well-run online course, students should receive regular feedback. If you do not receive feedback you should contact your instructor and ask for information about your progress. It is a bad sign if the instructor cannot or will not provide feedback. In such a situation, you might want to consider enrolling in a different course.
Q: In a distance learning course, how can I make up a missed class?
A: Many courses don't use a traditional schedule, so there is nothing to miss. Instead, virtual learning usually offers asynchronous classes, in which students can learn at the best and most appropriate time for them. Other online classrooms permit recording of the interactions and instructional events that may have already occurred. This is an important advantage of online learning. If these options are not available for your particular distance learning course, talk with your instructor to find out what other make-up options are available.
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