Are you ready for Distance Education courses?

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Characteristics of successful distance learners:

• Self-disciplined
• Self-motivated
• Organized
• Rarely procrastinate
• Comfortable and competent with technology
• Flexible when technology problems arise
• Seeks to find answers on their own
• Willing to speak up when they can't find answers
• Good reading comprehension skills
• Able to learn well from written material
• Can learn without the social elements of a traditional classroom
• Participates in course orientation activities such as classmate introductions and discussion forums
• Can work independently and with others to complete projects on time
• Communicates well through writing
• Resists constant distractions

Technical Abilities and Needs:

• Send and receive e-mail with attached files
• Easily navigate the Internet
• Maintain anti-virus software on your computer
• Create documents using work processing software (MS Word/Works etc.)
• Have access to an Internet connection
• Download and install programs and "plug-ins"

Tips for Your Success:

• Read your syllabus for every course
• Pay attention to deadlines
• Communicate with your instructor
• Begin course assignments within the first week of the semester/course start date
• Log into your course 3-5 days a week
• Develop a time-management strategy
  • Pick days, times, locations where you can complete your assignments with little or no distractions
• Designate a space for your course work and only your course work