Distance learning?!?

[Jared]

Any body tried distance learnign via the web? I have one class this semester which is solely based on the internet, as well as writing intensive...So far it seems very complicated and overwhelming...but I'm sure once I get used to it, it will be easier...:-) Basically what we have to do is write 3 papers throughout the course of the semester, and write 150 word responses to questions that he asks us that come from the reading assignments...

I also have a computer applications class in which we have a lecture every tuesday and thursday, but are required to take all of our quizzes and hand in our homework on the computer! Out side of normal class times! As Fozzer would say:

"Bugger it!"  ;)

The class itself is not hard, but spending all of this extra trime outside of the class itself is going to be hard while I still work 25-30 hours a week to pay for the blasted class! And to boot, all of the assignments are graded on-line instantly! I'm not sure about you, but I would rather have someone take a day, and grade my answers themselves instead of having a computer do it...:-)

OK, now that I have told you about my experiences so far, let me know about yours, and what you think about it...

Oh, I'm starting a information technology class at the main campus tomorrow (Yes it's on saturday... )
And I'm sure that the prof will want things e-mailed throughout the week as homework..etc...

[Politically Incorrect]

As far as how good they are or what they're like I couldn't say, never done it.
But I don't think any learning method is better than one on one with the teacher present to directly answer questions that might come to mind!
The thought of learning via the computer is a awesome idea, you can do it in comfort not to mention the information you have access to is overwhelming, but i feel that the lack of a teacher being there is the downfall. Human contact I think increases the ability to learn. To be face to face if you know what I'm talking about?
And the idea of homework I never understood! You would think if the teachers were teaching you wouldn't have to continue after school hours. My stepdaughter brought home enough homework one day that with my help here and there she had over 4 1/2 hours worth of work, add the 7 hours in school and you have a combined total that excides a job!!!! It isn't right and I think homework should be banned!!!
As far as college goes I think if your paying the outragous amounts of money to continue your education you should have a teacher there!!!! Not one that you must interact with via computer! I think if you are  to use internet courses they should be done so as a extra credit type thing and not as a part of the class which you are paying for!!! And definately not  required. You are paying for a teacher (proffesor) and that is what you should get, not some virtual teacher that might crash on you at any given moment.
Which that in itself raises a question, What do you do if your busting ass to get your work done and right before the deadline your power goes out, or your computer fries?
Does the school require you to own a generator?
That is my 3 cents worth, good luck and I hope you succeed at what your going for!!!!!!

[Craig.]

Howdy
I have tried A levels through the post, and it is bloody hard. If you  are in the slightest bit lazy i would seriously reconsider, the temptation to put it off is just to great, add to that getting direct help when you need it is also very difficult.

But on the plus side you get to work to your own timetable, and start and finish when you like.
Good luck with it either way:)

[ozzy72]

I did a year long course this way. It does take a lot of self-discipline, but I found it better than classroom learning, as I tend to keep rather odd hours and prefer to work in the middle of the night I think there must be some vampire in the family to explain my weird nocturnal habits... Anyone else suffer from the uncontrollable urge to eat Mars Bars at 3am?

Ozzy

[Hagar]

Anyone else suffer from the uncontrollable urge to eat Mars Bars at 3am?

Not recently.

PS. I was always led to believe that it's pregnant women who suffer from these cravings.

[ozzy72]

Nah Doug, the missus is in the scrambled egg, tuna and pickled gherkin sandwich phase at the moment
Last week everything had to be with sour cream, even spicy sausages or pickled gherkins
One of my friends (also pregnant) has taken to putting ketchup in hot chocolate and drinking it

Mark

[Politically Incorrect]

One of my friends (also pregnant) has taken to putting ketchup in hot chocolate and drinking it

Mark

Not by you I hope?  ;D
God I'm thankful I'm not a woman!!!!!!  :D

[Jared]

Sounds like trouble there!

Yeah it is nice being able to set your own times, but hard to keep in touch with reality as well...

:-)

[ozzy72]

Reality? Isn't that the thing for people who can't handle strong drugs?

[Jared]

Reality? Isn't that the thing for people who can't handle strong drugs?

yeah! And it sucks! lol...actually it's not too bad, just have to get used to it again...I was beginning to get into only going to work everyday...:-)

[Fozzer]

Does distance learning mean that there is a lot of shouting involved.... ....?
LOL...!

I could never concentrate and learn anything by looking at a computer screen...
It is upright for a start, which strains my neck, is difficult to read, and scrolling through pages on a screen is tiring and annoying.
I am used to reading real books which I can study in my comfy arm chair, comfy loo, or comfy bed*, unlike my monitor* which always remains fixed to the socket in the wall, in the coldest place in the house, and prevents me from doing all these nice comfy things.... ...!
There is no substitute for good old-fashioned books and being taught by a pretty Swedish teacher looking over your shoulder... ...!
...trust me... ...!
LOL...!

Paul.

*...any way... Vinyl Vera is much nicer to me in bed than my monitor, and she teaches me all sorts of new things...Joy... ...!
LOL...!

[Hagar]

unlike my monitor* which always remains fixed to the socket in the wall, in the coldest place in the house, and prevents me from doing all these nice comfy things.... ...!

Don't tell me you have your 'puter set up in your outside convenience? (That's outhouse for our friends across the puddle.) The mere thought sent me into an uncontrollable fit of hysterical giggling, made my tummy hurt & reduced me to tears. LMAO.........!

I would have thought it wouldn't strain the old marble too much to consider moving it to a warmer & more comfy location. Or perhaps the Fozzer home is only fitted with one power socket?

[Politically Incorrect]

*...any way... Vinyl Vera is much nicer to me in bed than my monitor, and she teaches me all sorts of new things...Joy... ...!
LOL...!

And chances of electocution are minimized!


Sorry Jared I think your topic has been lost in the mysterious land of Bibble!  ;D

[Fozzer]

Don't tell me you have your 'puter set up in your outside convenience? (That's outhouse for our friends across the puddle.) The mere thought sent me into an uncontrollable fit of hysterical giggling, made my tummy hurt & reduced me to tears. LMAO.........!

I would have thought it wouldn't strain the old marble too much to consider moving it to a warmer & more comfy location. Or perhaps the Fozzer home is only fitted with one power socket?

Nah Doug...
It's just the thought of getting confused in the middle of the night, with both my monitor and Vinyl Vera in bed at the same time... ...!
I could finish up with being electrocuted... ...!
..in the nicest possible way...(Kenny Everet).... ...!
LOL...LOL...LOL...!

Cheers... ...!
Paul.

P.S. I still have probs with concentrating on reading text on a monitor tho'....it dont seem natural....a bit like my goings-on with Vinyl Vera... ...!
LOL...!