Distance Learner’s Checklist: How Sharp are your Computer Skills?

Author: Matthew Paolini

Distance learners need to be computer savvy if they're going to succeed in their pursuit of an online degree. Are your computer skills good enough to learn online? Compare your computer know-how with the following list of essential skills to see how well prepared you are for an online degree.

The most obvious skill, perhaps, is a good understanding of how to navigate the Internet. You'll need to know how to open an Internet browser, how to maximize and minimize the browser window, and how to use the forward and back buttons to move back and forth between Web pages. Major browsers like Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox have extensive Help files where you can find answers to all of your questions about Internet navigation.

Second, make sure you know how to manage files on your computer. Make sure you can use Windows Explorer to find folders and files on your computer's hard drive. Practice creating, copying, deleting and saving files until you're sure you know how. If you're in doubt about your skills, select "Help" from the Windows Explorer menu bar and then search for information about "files".

If you don't know how to Copy and Paste, learn. Mastery of these basic Clipboard functions will save you tons of time when working online. These basic skills include the ability to left click and drag to highlight information in a document, to copy that information to the clipboard, and then to paste that information from the clipboard into a new document or spreadsheet. If you don't feel confident about copy-and-paste, search for a free copy-and-paste tutorial on any of the major search engines.

You'll also need to be thoroughly familiar with sending and receiving email. Make sure you know how to open and save email attachments, as you'll receive much of your course material and other work by email. Your email program will have a section in its Help file that can answer any questions you have about email and how to handle email attachments.

Finally, as an online learner you'll need to know your way around some kind of word processing software. Microsoft Word is considered the standard here and most new computers come with Word already installed. If your computer didn't come with Word, it won't cost you a dime to get a very capable alternative. Consider downloading OpenOffice from openoffice.org. OpenOffice is a free, easy to use software suite that includes a powerful word processor called OpenOffice Writer. It offers all the functionality of Word, including the ability to open and create files in Microsoft Word format.

Even if all of your online learning skills have been carefully honed, don't forget to check your computer system to make sure it can participate in the online learning experience. In most cases, you'll want a computer running Windows XP or MAC OS 9 or higher. Also, almost all online universities recommend Internet Explorer or Firefox, adding they've found that AOL users often cannot properly access online courses. You'll also want to have a minimum monitor resolution of 800 x 600 and a DSL or cable modem for best performance. Finally, say leading online institutions, you'll want to enable java script and cookies to optimize the learning experience.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:Matt Paolini works from home as a distance learner. Visit University of Phoenix or University of Pheonix for free distance learning info.
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Effectiveness Of Videoconferencing In Long Distance Learning

Author: Jason Cox

The effectiveness of videoconferencing in long distance learning is rapidly becoming more apparent. Studies have consistently proven that students receiving distance-learning training learn as effectively as students in traditional classrooms.

Videoconferencing provides a visual and auditory context for learning, and it is the most convenient way ofcing the atmosphere of a conventional classroom. It allows interaction with previously unreachable individuals and information.

Distance learning can be defined simply as an involvement of students and teachers who are separated by time and space. Distance education first emerged in the nineteenth century, when it was called a correspondence course. Today, distance education commonly refers to the use of videoconferencing technologies as delivery modes.

Effective learning occurs in urban cores, rural settings, universities, and employee training.

Videoconferencing significantly broadens learning opportunities. Adult education has become much more accessible. Since videos face-to-face context engages any student, the adult learner benefits from videoconferencing as much as the youngest primary student. Video can effectively capture cultural context to enhance the learning experience.

Urban schools have embraced the concept of videoconferencing in long distance learning. A variety of challenges confront large urban school districts. They bear the responsibility of providing students with low-cost, high quality educational services. In addition, urban schools often face large numbers of adult learners.

Adult educational needs range from basic literacy to career planning, training, and placement. Constricted by decreased funding, lack of transportation, and street safety issues, urban schools are turning to distance education as a means of delivering educational services.

Teachers in rural areas across the country are finding ways to use videoconferencing. Given the sometimes-extreme distances between school districts and towns, teachers need a way to deliver specialized content to rural students despite geographic barriers. One of the greatest benefits of distance learning is that it breaks down traditional geographic barriers. Effective videoconferencing helps students learn about topics that otherwise might not be accessible to them.

For example, in a rural school with one teacher for seventh grade, it is unlikely that the teacher will specialize in multiple subjects such as algebra, geometry, calculus, and geography. Distance learning technologies can connect these rural students with teachers who specialize in these subjects and many others. Team teaching across hundreds of miles becomes a reality.

Videoconferencing has changed the way university students obtain their degrees. Because of improved videoconferencing capabilities, many students take courses from professors they never see face to face. They watch lectures from remote sites, or download lectures and assignments over the Internet; and correspond with classmates and faculty by Email, list servers and chat groups. They attempt to reach students who, because of jobs, location, or other constraints, cannot take courses in a traditional classroom at a defined time.

Recent studies have shown that long distance learners felt that learning networks provided better access to their professor. Students in a survey also believed that they got better grades than in a face-to-face course, perhaps because the social inhibitions were gone and they felt more comfortable taking an active part.

Distance learning can be an effective way to train a work force. The benefits of distance learning are that it is a cost-effective way to train a widely dispersed workforce, saving on travel expenses and time away from work. It provides flexibility convenient for individual schedules, allowing learning to take place anytime, anywhere. And it gives companies a good way to retain their most valuable employees.

Distance learning enables learning to be self-directed, provides a high level of training, and makes it easier for businesses and organizations to achieve their goals and objectives.

Learning via videoconferencing is valuable in another way, regardless of who the learner might be. The benefits are obvious.

Video learning is like having a live virtual classroom where everyone connects to the same server at the same time. An instructor is present to teach the content, and electronic tools allow for hand raising and interaction. Nothing is lost in translation; all the components of traditional education are in place. Individuals trained effectively with videoconferencing can be trained whenever needed. Being able to teach in smaller chunks, in a timely manner, means that learning is retained.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:

For several years now, Jason has been reviewing hundreds of online products and services. Many consider his reviews to be very insightful and reliable. Visit his website 1VideoConference.com

Peaceful fight for your right to learn ;)