Distance learning classes are ideal for students who have difficulty coming to campus on a regular basis. Telecourses, video courses, teleweb, and Internet courses offer flexibility for students with work schedules or parenting responsibilities, have jobs that require travel or rotating shifts, or who enjoy working at their own pace..

Distance learning classes are not easier than traditional classes. They have the same expectations and are equivalent to classes taught on campus. Courses that do not require weekly classroom attendance also require a significant amount of self discipline.

To help you decide if a distance learning class is right for you, answer the following questions:

	Do you have circumstances which prevent you from coming to campus one to three times a week?	Yes No
	Do you prefer to set a flexible work schedule (as opposed to coming at the same time every week for a semester)?	Yes No
	Do you manage your time well and meet deadlines without reminders?	Yes No
	Do you prefer to learn at your own pace (as opposed to following the pace of a class)?	Yes No
	Do you prefer to learn on your own (as opposed to working with a teacher or a group of people)?	Yes No
	Do you have reasonably strong reading skills -- can you read college-level textbooks and understand them?	Yes No
	Can you accurately follow written directions?	Yes No
	Are you self-motivated and/or a self-starter?	Yes No
For Online and Teleweb Courses:
	Do you have easy access to the Internet?	Yes No
	Are you proficient at using email?	Yes No
	Are you proficient at using a word processing program?	Yes No
	Can you attach a document to an email message?	Yes No
	Do you know how to use a search engine and follow links from one web page to another?	Yes No
	Are you willing to actively communicate with your classmates and instructor electronically?	Yes No
Enter number of Yes Answers: Enter number of No Answers:

How to score yourself:

If you answered YES to all or almost all of the questions above, you would probably enjoy taking a telecourse. Advantages include the ability to set your own work schedule and learn at your own pace. Keep in mind that these are courses in which you work independently. The instructor will determine the course completion requirements. The student assumes the responsibility to fulfill these requirements. The instructor will be accessible to the student but not in traditional weekly class meetings.

If you answered NO to all or most of the questions above, you would probably be more successful in traditional classes. These classes meet at certain weekly times each week and have an instructor present. Advantages include hearing explanations, seeing demonstrations and working with an instructor and classmates regularly. Keep in mind that the instructor will determine when assignments are due, when test will be given, and will generally determine the pace at which the material will be covered. Some students are more successful in this type of environment.