subject: Join A Study Group To Enhance Your Distance Learning! [print this page] The advantages of a distance learning education are starting to become exceedingly well known. This type of schooling is built on such concepts of flexible schedules, lesser costs and studying from anyplace one can get online. The entire concept is starting to truly resonate with the public. Yet one of the drawbacks has been the matter of setting up study groups. Many courses require students form them as a way to better understand what's being taught.
In a study group, the members not only reinforce class information, but provide counterpoints for discussion. Each person has their own weakness and their own strength and in a group setting the weakness can be bolstered and the strength encouraged. The dynamics of group communication during study provide a working model for what will happen in the work world during conferences and meetings.
Unique to distance learning is that the student can be from all over the world. A Marine in Baghdad taking continuing education can be in the same class as a mom from Seattle and a college freshman in Miami. There will be different time schedules and real life commitments for each individual. Getting together can pose a problem. If you need more information about online accredited degrees, look on the internet.
As it happens, online colleges are well-aware of this, and have come up with their own solutions. Many have set up sites within their courses where students of a particular class can set up online study groups. If not, Google has recently set up its own service, Google Groups, which includes a study group area. No matter what, there are still some things to be considered when either setting up or participating in a study group.
(1) Each person in the group is a stranger to the other. Strangers don't work as well together as those who have been introduced and who know a bit about the other. This doesn't mean height, weight, or hair color, but a bit of who the person is. This, of course, would include their scheduling availability. When can they get online to participate in the group? Can compromises be made so all can attend? If you find that all of you in that particular group happen to live locally, see if actual meetings can take place every so often.
(2) Be polite. Talking online is a wonderful way to communicate, but it often falls flat in conveying emotion and certainly does when conveying tone of voice. Respectful speech toward your group mates will go a long way in making this a good experience for all. There will be times when someone asks a question or says they don't understand that may have you rolling your eyes. This group is to expand the knowledge of all and inevitably your turn will come to not understand something. Answer the question or explain the matter in a way you would like someone to for you. This approach works here and in the even more important real work world. There is an abundance of information about online college on the web.
(3) You don't have to be afraid to ask questions. Questions are the life blood of a good discussion group and learning to ask without worrying about looking silly and answer the questions of others is a good life skill. Not asking a question automatically closes a door on the possibility of a great discussion. Help your group be successful by asking and answering questions.
