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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Online Degree Programs

Author: Kateri White

An online university degree can help to increase one's chances of earning a higher income from a job, instead of settling for a position that will limit them because of lack of education. Online university degree offers wide variety of online programs; such as Undergraduate, Graduate, Doctorate, and Professional courses. The specific courses offered include disciplines such as business management and administration, criminal justice, health, information technology, nursing, education, human resources, call center professional training, and project management.

Studying on the Internet is a convenient way to earn an education because it won't interfere with work and saves time and energy. Online university degrees can help students to pace themselves and get needed schooling while still enjoying life. The classes offered through an online university degree might only require a minimal amount of work during the week as opposed to classes at a regular college. That can be an added benefit so as not to overload the student's schedule.

Internet programs can be helpful because their courses are designed to interact with professors on an email or Internet basis, instead of being engaged in class work and group projects which is a time consuming process for the workers and employers. Those falling into this category might benefit from pursuing an Internet degree. There are numerous websites that offer profiles for different colleges and universities, including web universities.

Web studies can be a blessing to those who desire to use their time and talents in the required period. They work hard and might be serving in remote countries that don't have schools near them. That's where an online university degree can be a great asset.

There is a wide choice of online courses that are offered by various colleges and universities. Some of the courses offered are general, while others are specific. It is therefore important that you survey all the options available, and then identify the course that is best suited to your requirements and the university that is best equipped to provide you with an in-depth learning of the course. Ensure that the teaching faculty for the course of your choice is qualified and that all necessary technical support will be provided to you in your online communications with the Institute.

After having decided your specific course and the learning center, you need to open a channel of communication with the institution. Each institution can provide the student with specific requirements. An online degree program may include purchasing textbooks or purchasing an e-book which allows the student to access the book online, usually at cheaper costs. Through an online degree program, links might be provided in the course syllabus allowing for additional instruction or templates to use to complete class assignments. Do a search on the Internet today for online degree programs and find out the vast opportunities available to anyone possessing a computer and Internet service. Attending an online university is a legitimate, convenient, and flexible way for you to advance you education, as well as your career and personal potential.

Source: ArticlesBase.com

About the Author:
Published by Kateri White currently writing on online degree programs topics for our website http://www.onlineuniversitydegreeprogram.info.