Intangible Skills Impact Online Learners

I had to grin recently as I was researching a piece about online degrees. Like many authors, I occasionally brainstorm ideas by skimming PLR (Private Label Rights) articles Ive either collected or paid for over the years. I laughed out loud when one of these articles announced the impending demise of the "real" brick-and-mortar university in no uncertain, albeit almost ludicrous terms. Imagine, surmised the incredulous author, that some people actually still play solitaire with a real deck of cards!

Although factors such as convenience and flexibility have contributed to the enormous popularity of online learning, the truth is that completing an online degree isnt necessarily easy. In order to succeed, online learners need better than average understanding of basic computer skills. While cut-and-paste, a good working knowledge of a word processor and knowing how to access the Internet are easily acquired abilities, other tools in the skill set arent so easy to master.

Here's a list of three key factors to consider:

1. Discipline is at the top of everyone's list. Because distance learning is basically an isolated activity, many students aren't able to focus on their work without the benefit of one-on-one interaction with instructors and other students. Many online learners let work pile up unfinished since there isn't a deadline or pressure from a professor to complete an assignment on time. This is especially true for working adults or learn-at-home moms who need to integrate online learning with the pressures of a job or the needs of their children and families.

2. Discipline is good, but discipline and organizational ability are better. Organizational skills are also very important since distance learners typically hold a job or care for a family at the same time theyre pursuing a college degree. Theres no time for distance learners to pull an all-nighter before a paper is due or before final exams. Therefore, online learners must have the ability to organize their other activities in order to have enough time for assigments and class preparation.

3. Even students who can find the self-discipline and organizational skills to master the online learning environment may still not have the learning style that best dovetails with the online environment. Distance learning makes heavy use of audio-visual naterials, either in the form of reading assigments or audio and video-based instruction. If you need to learn by doing, that is, by examining or even building something, it's possible you may have difficulty with online learning.

You can discover more about your online learning aptitude by taking one of several online tests that help pinpoint your particular learning style. Try searching Google, MSN or Yahoo for "learning styles" or "online learning styles" and you should find several different tests. These tests are all easy to take and afterwards youll have a much better idea of how well suited you may be for online learning. Reputable online universities also have counsellors and advisors who can help you assess your prospects of successfully completing an online degree.