Distance learning provides students with the opportunity to take the same classes offered on campus but in a different format. Distance learning courses may be completed at home, while stationed abroad, or on the road, if traveling.

Students who are unable to commit to a specific classroom schedule because of work, travel, or other extenuating circumstances may find distance learning convenient for them. Distance learning courses have textbooks, assignments, exams, interaction with faculty and/or other students, and flexible due dates, within guidelines. Most classes have no class meetings, but students go to campus to take exams in the campus testing centers. If you are out of the area, you may arrange to take proctored exams at a testing center at another college or university near you. Communication with the instructor and classmates is usually electronic via email or online discussion forums. Some courses also use eNOVA, a real-time two-way audio and application sharing software.

• Format
• Technology
• Time Required

Although distance learning and on-campus courses cover the same content, the format is different. With distance learning, you see the entire course from the beginning. For most courses, within the enrollment period there are flexible due dates, and testing occurs at your convenience within certain guidelines. Some courses may also be accelerated with the instructor’s permission.

Technology provides content and interaction. Most courses require the use of a computer and the Internet. Others require viewing videos or TV programs. Still others, particularly the language courses, use voice mail. Email is the main vehicle for communicating with the instructor.

Distance learning courses usually require at least as much time as you would spend taking a campus-based course. You should plan to study at least 2-3 hours a week for each credit. In other words, for each three-credit course, you would study 6-9 hours per week. When you compare this time with what you spend sitting in class and studying outside of class, it is about the same.

Here is a chart that illustrates the general amount of time per week you should expect to study per credit hour based on the course length. For example, if you enroll in an 8-week, 3-credit class, you can expect to spend 12-18 hours per week studying for this class. In general, the shorter the class length (6-, 8-, 12-, or 16-week), the more hours of study time you can expect to spend per week per credit.

Course Length    1 Credit    2 Credits    3 Credits    4 Credits    5 Credits   
6-week    5-8
hours/week    10-16
hours/week    16-24
hours/week    21-32
hours/week    26-40
hours/week   
8-week    4-6
hours/week    8-12
hours/week    12-18
hours/week    16-24
hours/week    20-30
hours/week   
12-week    3-4
hours/week    6-8
hours/week    8-12
hours/week    11-16
hours/week    14-20
hours/week   
16-week    2-3
hours/week    4-6
hours/week    6-9
hours/week    8-12
hours/week    10-15
hours/week   

You, the student, must take an active approach to your learning. The instructor has structured the course for you and will give you feedback, but you are responsible for learning the material. Not only will you read the material and complete assignments, but you will also interpret important issues and ask questions when you need clarification. You are also responsible for keeping motivated and engaged with the course content. "You get out what you put in."

Faculty members serve as mentors, guides, or facilitators for your learning. They will encourage further thought in particular areas, initiate discussion topics, grade assignments, provide feedback on assignments, and answer any questions you have concerning the course content.

One of the obstacles to success in distance learning is assuming the instructor will lead you through the course. You must take the initiative to learn the course content. Planning a specific study schedule and sticking to it is imperative. Keeping track of enrollment time and completing assignments within that time frame is a major stumbling block for some distance learning students.

Many students, already committed to work, family, and other activities, think that distance learning is the answer to their lack of time. Conversely, if you have difficulty scheduling your time to accomplish all you need to do, adding distance learning, which does not require a specific time and place, can be overwhelming.

If you enjoy or need face-to-face contact with your instructor and other students, distance learning may not satisfy that need. There is electronic contact with faculty and other students in most courses, but face-to-face contact is rare.

Besides completing this orientation, there are several ways that you can find out whether distance learning is for you.

• Here is the quiz, Is Distance Learning For Me? which gives you the opportunity to ask yourself some important questions about your suitability for distance education.
• You can preview some of the courses on the ELI Web site for information about textbooks, assignments, and grading. Choose semester, the discipline, and the course.
• You can speak with an ELI counselor (703-323-2425) to talk about your specific situation.
• And lastly, evaluate exactly how much time you have and how motivated you are to learn by distance.

Take this post-test to see how much you know about distance learning.

1. Distance learning courses:

  are easier than on-campus courses

  require less time than on-campus courses

  cover the same content as on-campus courses

2. How are distance learning courses different from on-campus courses?

  the format is different

  the content is different

  the enrollment length is different

3. Why does distance learning use technology?

  to make a course more interesting

  to provide content and interaction

  to make it more confusing

4. How much study time is recommended for each 3-credit distance-learning course?

  2-3 hours per week

  4-5 hours per week

  6-9 hours per week

5. What is one of the obstacles to success in distance learning?

  waiting for the instructor

  planning a study schedule

  jumping into the first assignment

6. The student role in distance learning:

  is less important than in on-campus classes

  requires taking the initiative for learning

  expects other students to lead discussions

7. The instructor in a distance-learning course:

  serves as a lecturer

  serves as a facilitator

  there is no instructor

8. How can you decide if you are a good candidate for distance learning?

  take the self-quiz, "Is ELI for Me?"

  talk to the ELI counselor

  preview some of the courses on the ELI web site

  all of the above