My experience with online learning was not at all what I
expected. My undergraduate experience
was very intimate with a small group and many classes with the same professor
(who was also my advisor). The
experience I have had online is the complete opposite by virtue of what it
is…distance learning. I had to seek out personal interaction that I had
previously had plenty of.
The plus side of online learning is the ability to make my
own schedule. I “attend classes” in my office where my children can wander down
for my attention. Most often I give it
to them. I am able to access lectures at
my convenience and not just Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00.
One thing that I have had to call upon is my self-
motivation. I happen to be a self-motivating individual. I have found that creating a schedule,
validated by a support team and sticking to the schedule allowed me to stay
ahead or at least on track with the assignments. I love the cliché “you get out of it what you
put into it” and never get tired of repeating it.
I had put off going back to school for the simple reason
that I did not think I would be able to juggle a career, family and school
work. I would not be able to do it
without the help of my family also known as my support team.
Technology has come a long way in just a few years and it is
taking education to the next realm. I
don’t have the most elaborate equipment but it suits the needs that distance
learning necessitates. I use an E Machine
EL 1850, Logitech speakers, a Dynex web cam and a Canon MX 330. This is all low
end equipment costing under $1000.00 but I assure you that it has met the
technical requirements needed.
Good Luck, Thomas
