| In this brief article, I expose some of the most | | | | a specific time frames fits you best, a private vs. |
| common and deadly misconceptions about | | | | group class might be a real perk and incentive. |
| distance learning. And you want to read this. | | | | 4. Distance learning is much easier than traditional |
| Why? Because if you do not consider the new | | | | classes. This concern is raised mostly in relation to |
| trends and potential of distance learning, you may | | | | academic degrees and cannot be more wrong. In |
| be ignoring or discounting vital opportunities to | | | | fact, students need to work harder, especially at |
| increase your career skills, complete your degree, | | | | first, with online courses. They need to shift to |
| or expand your professional relationships. That is | | | | being responsible for their learning and invest |
| correct, some of these myths are deadly for | | | | more time in being self-disciplined, scheduling their |
| you, because even though the means to breathe | | | | outside classroom study (there is no IN classroom |
| new life into your career are sitting in your home, | | | | time!), and tracking their deadlines. For certain |
| you are have decided to ignore them. Let's | | | | people it is a breeze to adjust, for other people |
| change all that together | | | | they have to focus on developing strategies for |
| Join me, as we explore these 7 Myth Busters of | | | | online learning success. But once they do make |
| Distance Learning and open the doors of | | | | the effort, learners taking responsibility may begin |
| opportunity and empowerment that are waiting | | | | to soar with the possibilities ahead. Now, doesn't |
| as close as your laptop, cell phone, and iPod. | | | | that lesson have a lot of good cross-benefits to |
| 1. You need to be connected at the same time in | | | | it? Hmmmmm. |
| order to participate in distance learning. Many | | | | 5. Distance learning creates greater social isolation. |
| people have this idea because they may have | | | | I think most people who state this myth, do not |
| participated in workplace webinars: lectures or | | | | use social media. Otherwise they would have a |
| seminars delivered live over the web. However, | | | | better idea of the extensive interactions in |
| webinars are only one of many ways to provide | | | | distance classes. The discussion boards, peer |
| distance learning. A more popular format is to use | | | | emailing and dialogue, and group projects |
| non-simultaneous deliver (or asynchronous as we | | | | stampede over the amount of interaction in a |
| call it). This format enables participants to sign in | | | | traditional classroom. I always say face to face |
| over the Internet to do their work whenever it | | | | classes by necessity are required to play "Beat |
| fits it into their day. Wouldn't you like to pick the | | | | the Clock"; therefore, time for student interaction |
| time when you learn? Another great benefit of | | | | is limited. In contrast, distance classes can expand |
| non-simultaneous learning is that it overcomes | | | | as much as the students want to invest in them. |
| time-zone conflicts when you worldwide groups. | | | | Isolating? Not in our experience- we have to |
| 2. Distance learning is boring and usually canned. | | | | sometimes hold them back! |
| This statement might be the case if you are only | | | | 6. Teachers do not need new class preparation: |
| reading test, or watching video, but haven't you | | | | Teaching distance learning is just like teaching |
| been to a boring lecture? Too much of any one | | | | traditional classes. This is a very dangerous myth, |
| instructional mode can make it hard to keep | | | | because teachers and learners will be disappointed |
| people's interest. Today well-designed distance | | | | with the results if it is followed. While distance |
| learning courses include not only video, text, | | | | learning will build upon principles of great teaching |
| graphics, audio, and pictures, but also user created | | | | practice, many specific issues have to be |
| materials in all the same formats. A great course | | | | addressed that are different or new. For instance, |
| will not only provide learning in a varied format | | | | because of being part of a global classroom, |
| addressing multiple learning styles and learning | | | | cross-cultural communication may be prominently |
| intelligences, but it will also engage learners in | | | | required than usual. Also whether classes are |
| active participation! Student podcasts, videos and | | | | delivered in same time or not, a distance audience |
| online role playing are just a few examples. | | | | means different dynamics. It can be powerful and |
| Learners also post or lead subject focused | | | | lively, or fraught with problems, but don't try to |
| discussion boards and solve group simulations. | | | | head into this format without preparation. |
| Distance learning can provide a dimension of | | | | 7. No student orientation is needed. Students use |
| making learning meaningful and active. | | | | the same skills as a traditional class, just plug n |
| 3. I don't like this "at your own pace stuff" of | | | | play! Many organizations have struggled by |
| distance learning. Again, distance learning comes in | | | | following this approach, and so have their |
| so many modes now that you can have a | | | | participants! From technical support, to study skills, |
| completely instructor-led course, or one that | | | | time management to registration, needs to |
| includes partial independence combined with direct | | | | processes, people need to break away from their |
| oversight. In some content areas, participants | | | | assumptions and rethink the needs of the |
| might also be in private learning sessions, just you | | | | distance learner. When they are addressed, the |
| and the teacher, or with groups. Although usually | | | | approach unleashes a vibrant, global classroom. |
| more expensive, if private learning or tutoring or | | | | |