Distance Learning Survey for Research Project

[calvinllyman]

Hello everyone!

I need your help. First, a little background:

I am a distance learner at Thomas Edison State College. As part of one of my final classes for completion of my BA in Communications (Liberal Arts Capstone), I must write a research 20-25 page research paper. I have chosen the following as my thesis question: "Are traditional means of obtaining higher education being phased out by accelerated distance learning techniques?". My paper also has three sub questions that I will answer in order to better provide an answer to this major question. These sub questions are as follows: "What is the scope of accelerated distance learning techniques?". Also, "What does accelerated distance learning offer to students who choose it over traditional means of obtaining higher education?" Thirdly, "What are some of the benefits and shortcomings associated with accelerated distance learning?".

I have decided to conduct a survey of distance learning students and use this as my primary source of qualitative research. This being the case, I have a few questions for all of you distance learners that I would be absolutely thrilled if you would take the time to answer for me:

---

Questions:

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

4. Why are you a distance learner?

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?



I hope that you guys will take the time to help me out by answering these questions. Thanks a lot and God bless!

-Calvin

[Publius]

Great topic/questions... to be able to best answer/assist you, you may want to define what you mean by "distance learner" and who falls into that camp? Just people taking online courses, everyone attending a college virtually, etc.

[collegebyclep]

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?

Distance education, for me, has meant lower education costs, added flexibility in finishing weekly assignments, and the opportunity to finish my degree at my own pace.

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

A. Flexibility in incorporating other events in a given week.
B. Being able to work at my own pace without having to wait on others and slowing others down.
C. Being able to customize my degree, the classes I take, and the credit-by-exam tests that I take.

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

A. Not being in a classroom where I can participate in an active exchange of ideas.
B. Not getting to know my instructors personally.
C. My instructors not having to make themselves known personally, giving them anonymity which some times leads to poor teaching.

4. Why are you a distance learner?

I finished my distance learning in June 2012 and have since started residential courses. I was a distance learner because I was able to finish my degree quickly and save money so that I could do the things in life that I really wanted to get to. It meant convenience and skipping out on the inconveniences of tuition payments and four years at a university.

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?

I prefer practicality and suitability to a given situation. I'm glad I went to TESC for my undergrad but I'm also glad to now be going to the "brick and mortar school" Liberty University. I cannot make the general statement that I like one style over the other. However, if money and time were no option, I would choose a traditional system.

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?

I do believe so. I think it would be easy for an unmotivated student to get lost academically and intellectually. Being at a residential school means being around professors who can guide my study and advise me personally. As a distance learner, one must take more initiative to learn things. There is a chance that he could get loss in intellectual "dead-ends" without the personal presence of professors.

I hope this helps, Calvin.

God bless!

[Yanji]

First of all, as a TESC alum I would like to wish you the best of luck with your studies.

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?
The biggest thing for me is flexibility. I travel a lot and I have a very unpredictable schedule, sometimes involving booking a flight in the morning and flying out that evening to another continent. I wouldn't be able to fit studying in my life without distance education. Plus, with distance learning I can take a course/module or even an entire degree from hundreds of universities all around the world. The notion that distance education can make the world a smaller place tickles the romantic inside me.

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

1. Being able to catch up on my readings and assignments anywhere, whether I'm at home or in a hotel room in Amsterdam.
   
2. Not having to worry about physically commuting to campus in the evenings. (good for my body and the environment)
   
3. Having more choices for courses, schedules and perspectives compared to just the local B&M.
   

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

1. Lack of interaction, even with synchronous courses... the classroom is a great place to exchange ideas, make new friends and get your questions answered.
   
2. For some people, including me, it's just easier to learn in the classroom where there is a proven, organised structure for learning than at home where it's very easy to get distracted.
   
3. Not feeling connected to your school, whether it's for just one course or for an entire degree. In the ~1 month I've been an admitted student to IU, I've felt more part of a community than I did in 3 years with Athabasca University.
   

4. Why are you a distance learner?
As I touched on in 1 and 2, flexibility and choice. For me, it was never really about speed or cost... I just needed something which worked.

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?
As much as I have enjoyed distance education, I prefer studying in-person. I particularly enjoy evening/extension classes because of the laid-back nature, diverse student demographics and keener classmates, particularly at the undergraduate level. However, I believe that distance education has a very important role to play in our society and will continue to do so in the global world we live in.

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?
Perhaps, but largely the same risks which are associated with all education. Poor planning, fly-by-night schools and lack of motivation can turn educational dreams into personal and financial nightmares. The only risk specific to distance education I can think of is becoming too focused on distance education at the expense of ignoring good classroom-based programmes which in many cases could lead to better personal, educational and career outcomes.

I hope my responses were helpful.

[Daithi]

Questions:

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?
A) MUCH faster to earn my bachelors.
B) MUCH cheaper to earn my bachelors.
C) If you can learn all the requirements to earn a bachelors degree on your own, without relying on teachers, then you can learn virtually anything on your own. This is something traditional students may never truly learn.
D) I have control over what I study to pass courses.
E) Easily done on a part-time basis.

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?
A) See answers A, B, and C to question #1

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?
A) A degree from TESC, COSC, and EC doesn't have the same prestige as top-tier schools.
B) Employers don't recruit at distance learning universities.
C) You have to have strong self-motivation to study on your own.

4. Why are you a distance learner?
A) See question #1.

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?
A) I much prefer distance learning to traditional brick and mortar schools.

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?
A) I suppose I could accidentally drop my laptop on my toe or something.

I should note that distance learners don't have the same interaction with instructors and with fellow students, such as when a topic is brought up in class that stimulates a class discussion. Traditional schools also provide an environment where students work and interact with each other, which is a skill demanded by employers. At least this is the argument used by educators from traditional schools -- as if distance learners all suffer from Tourettes syndrome and don't have the capacity to interact with other human beings. I don't buy this argument, because it isn't too difficult to prove you have the ability to work and interact well with others.

[Muricles]

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?
A. Flexibility (main benefit) - In a traditional setting, working full time directly led to missed classes for me.
B. Less preparation - Add up the time required to commute to and from class, then factor in the associated stress, bagged or bought dinners, and, of course, the extra laundry. It tends to be a significant amount of time that doesn't enhance the learning experience.

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?
A. Learning at my pace - It's mean, but distance learning means not having to deal with that one person who asks a question every 2 minutes and ruins the flow of the class. No cell phone ringing unless it's mine!
B. No crowd - I hate being in front of a crowd, so it's nice not having to worry about walking in 5 or 10 minutes late due to traffic. No comments from professors.
C. Pajamas! - I like being able to work in my pajamas (laundry is apparently a huge part of my life)

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?
A. COURSE AVAILABILITY - It can be extremely difficult to find certain courses online. Some majors require labs that cannot be completed online.
B. Time management - As there are generally no regularly scheduled class meetings, it is easy to procrastinate or genuinely forget about an assignment.
C. Class structure - In my experience, online classes can tend to be overly structured or completely devoid of guidance.

4. Why are you a distance learner?
A. I am a distance learner because it suits my lifestyle.

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?
If all other things are equal (and they never are), I would choose a distance learning course. Nothing is more convenient than being home or taking a test at 3 AM.

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?
A. Personally, I don't feel like I've taken a risk by participating in distance learning. Some individuals are deceived by unscrupulous online schools, but this happens to brick & mortar students as well.
B. There are a number of people on this forum and elsewhere that have been accepted into 'top' graduate schools due to degrees earned, wholly or in part, via distance learning. In many cases, there is no distinction between an "online" and "brick & mortar" degree.

[JohnnyHeck]

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education (DL)?

• [*=1]Significantly more schedule freedom
  

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?[LIST=1|INDENT=1]
[*]Working from home I don't have temptations from classmates to skip class.
[*]I save a lot of time not commuting to class.
[*]I have more resources at my fingertips at home than in the dorm or study hall.
[/LIST]3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?[LIST=1|INDENT=1]
[*]Instead of an institutional degree plan all laid out, I have to figure it out by myself and then hunt all over the country for the courses to fit it.
[*]There are less chances for misunderstanding of meaning with face-to-face communication
[*]Group projects are much harder and take more time without face-to-face.
[/LIST]4. Why are you a distance learner?[LIST=|INDENT=1]
[*]The only school that would allow me to complete my degree with the credits I already had was exclusivly DL
[/LIST]5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?[LIST=|INDENT=1]
[*]In my future educational endeavors, I will be glad to get back to the classroom with fellow students and personal interaction with the teachers.
[/LIST]6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?[LIST=|INDENT=1]
[*]Because you are not aware of your classmates on a personal level, if you are not mature enough to do everything working emotionally alone, you will fail as I did in my first 2 attempts at DL
[*]I believe there is a tendancy to think you don't have to put as much time into DL as a classroom course. Probably because you don't take into account that besides studying the material you have "lecture" it to yourself. So you can easily underestimate the effort needed to keep up and get so far behind that you fail.
[/LIST]Good Luck on your capstone! Keep us posted ont this thread as your research develops. I'm with TESC too (BA Music) and will start my capstone in June.

[cookderosa]

Hello everyone!

I need your help. First, a little background:

I am a distance learner at Thomas Edison State College. As part of one of my final classes for completion of my BA in Communications (Liberal Arts Capstone), I must write a research 20-25 page research paper. I have chosen the following as my thesis question: "Are traditional means of obtaining higher education being phased out by accelerated distance learning techniques?". My paper also has three sub questions that I will answer in order to better provide an answer to this major question. These sub questions are as follows: "What is the scope of accelerated distance learning techniques?". Also, "What does accelerated distance learning offer to students who choose it over traditional means of obtaining higher education?" Thirdly, "What are some of the benefits and shortcomings associated with accelerated distance learning?".

I have decided to conduct a survey of distance learning students and use this as my primary source of qualitative research. This being the case, I have a few questions for all of you distance learners that I would be absolutely thrilled if you would take the time to answer for me:

---

Questions:

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?

4. Why are you a distance learner?

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?



I hope that you guys will take the time to help me out by answering these questions. Thanks a lot and God bless!

-Calvin

25 pages, ugh.
1. Benefits of DL:
a) I'm not location locked. We moved from IL to NC mid-program.
b) I'm not time locked. I can work on my assignments whenever I need to.
c) I don't have to drive to campus.

2. Benefits of learning by DL for myself:
a) If courses/lectures are on video, I can pause/re-watch if necessary.
b) I've strengthened my writing skills, since all communication is written (no oral).
c) I'm unlimited in "who" my teachers are. I can study from Harvard professors, or an anthropologist in Pawan Hans, or both in the same day.

3. Biggest hindrances:
a) difficult to form relationships with other students / forum requirements are often poorly constructed.
b) limited interaction with each professor / if the professor doesn't know how to operate the online platform it's a nightmare.
c) rely on computer/technology which can be a problem / spotty internet access.

4. Why? It's the only way I can be in school. My schedule allows about an hour in the morning before my job, and about an hour after. I also have about 4 hours on Wednesdays and all day/night Sunday. There are no programs that meet my time constraints.

5. It's too hard to say. I enjoy both for different reasons, I have degrees from both, and my answer changes based on the stage of my life you're referring to.

6. Risks? I don't understand the question.

*If I could ask a question, in your summary, you used the word "accelerated" several times, but none of the questions allow us to reflect on means of accelerating the degree process?

[ZsaZsa]

Great topics...forced me to organize my thoughts on the subject.

1. What are a few of the exclusive benefits (if any) that you have experienced by choosing distance education?
1. Cost- as an employed nurse, with a retired husband, I do not qualify for any kind of aid. I am able to grab my education in affordable bits, like a squirrel gathering nuts. Even $100 for a CLEP or DSST exam is hard to work into the budget sometimes. I WILL NOT borrow and owe for college, when I get that diploma it will be paid for.
2. Flexibility- I work full time, have a huge yard and garden to tend, house, husband, kids, grandkids, elderly parents and in-laws. I can't put my life on hold to finish something I should have done 37 years ago.

2. From your perspective, what are the three biggest benefits to learning by means of distance education for you personally?
1. As previously mentioned- cost. My workplace would pay if I were to go for a degree in nursing, but I don't want to be a nurse when I grow up! (Says the nurse of 28 years.) I'm going for Liberal Arts.
2. Flexability
3. Availability. This site has opened up a world of options for those of us who are already overworked and budgetarily (?) challenged.

3. From your perspective, what are the three biggest hindrances to learning by means of distance education for you personally?
1. Finding the time to fully concentrate on any given subject.
2. I am my own instructor. When I have a question, the answer is not readily available. I have to work for it. (Which may also be a benefit- as those things that require effort to learn seem to stick better.)
3. Explaining this method to my peers and family. The main questions I get are "How can this possibly benefit you at your age?" and "Will you make more money?"

4. Why are you a distance learner?

See answers 1 and 2 above.

5. Do you prefer distance learning to traditional means of obtaining higher education (i.e. "brick and mortar schools")?

At this point in my life, yes. This whole method merely reinforces the hard-won knowledge that my life and self-education over the last 37 years since high school has had value, and that I am the equal of those who have had the advantage of a traditional education.

6. Do you believe that there any risks associated with being a distance learner?

Flexibility, which can be a curse or a blessing. I have had to drop out of a class due to family crisis (mother and both in-laws critically ill off and on for most of a year. Spent my time working at one hospital, and dealing with 6 others in 3 cities scattered over 100 miles.) Not only being able to stick with it, but to come back after breaks of as much as a year and jump back in. The risk would be how easy it could be to just give up. I am in the home stretch now- with roughly 16 credits to go, and it is still a daily struggle to work this in to my life. If it takes me until I am 60, I want to be able to look back and say I not only FINISHED my college degree, but I did most of it by teaching myself.

I look forward to reading your conclusions! Please publish here when you've finished the class.

[marianne202]

You may want to create this in survey monkey and post the link. It will make it much easier for you to organize your responses.