SOURCE: The Asian School
Online degrees and technical skills courses are notoriously difficult to complete without a bit of a fight. Most individuals have to fight to stay on top of their workload and can face problems as a result of not having direct supervision in the form of a lecturer and/or personal tutor. As a result, most online students are encouraged to search out the relevant information all on their own and only contact a supervisor as and when absolutely necessary. Although this can be difficult to achieve, there is a lot to be learned from it. The personal qualities are of immense value, but the possible future gains via a comprehensive education could end up being more important.
In terms of personal qualities, a student would have to work off his or her own initiative, and that requires the development of determination and self-sufficiency. However, in terms of the educational value of an online course, an individual will find that his or her research skills become advanced quite quickly. He or she will soon learn exactly what resources to look for and where to go for them. This is where an online student can use the Internet to his or her best advantage.
The Internet is an encyclopaedia of knowledge. There are so many online resources out there that it is difficult to know where to begin. The best place to start researching would actually be the resources offered by the online university or college that you have enrolled in. Most of them will have an online library that can be tapped into with an assigned username and password. There will often be a list of recommended reading that accompanies each course so it would be a good idea to start there.
However, if the recommended reading does not encompass everything you need to know then there are other online library websites that can be used for research purposes. JSTOR and the Gutenberg Library are just two that can provide a wealth of informative articles that may relate to your course. They are easy to search and you can actually choose to print the material out. Some, including JSTOR, may charge for certain articles but they are worth the small fee and far more accessible than the actual texts. You should ask your online education tutor if he or she could recommend some useful websites.
Another way to use the Internet to your advantage is to join a class forum, if there is one offered for your course. Many Internet class forums allow individuals to discuss assignments and other issues that are course related so that you do not fee totally alienated because you do not attend class. The forums can help you to socialize and complete assignments on time. If there is one for your classes then the tutor may also use it to communicate with students. This will make him or her more accessible too so you should definitely use it.
SOURCE: Cultus
As well as having prime functions for communication and research, the Internet can provide a forum for submitting your work and applying for different classes. In truth, if you do not use the Internet for anything else then you should use it for looking ahead and planning out just what classes you will complete over a set period of time. This allows you to set targets for yourself and stick to them!
All in all, the Internet is an essential resource for an online student. Besides the obvious, it can actually serve as your bible during the course of your degree or training. Without it, there would be little point continuing. A hectic lifestyle may not allow you to complete a program of education in any other way so you should always capitalize on any opportunity to make the most of it. Research, communicate and plan for a better education and thus a better life!