Online Collaboration: Distance Learning and Professional Forums Display Advantages and Disadvantages
Andrea L. House, Holly N. Siegelman
Online collaboration has become a major resource for students and professionals alike. Distance learning and other forms of online communication have become established norms for many schools and professional organizations. While online communication has countless benefits, several disadvantages exist and continue to emerge. This paper will explore the authors’ personal experiences as students and professionals, taking an indepth look at online collaboration forums such as distance learning and professional collaborations as well as the advantages and disadvantages that each of these forums present. “The profile of the successful online student is that of a motivated, self-reliant person. It is someone who understands time commitment and will keep pace with the coursework. This personality type will be successful and will appreciate the lack of time constraints in a distance learning course without abusing them” (Ben-Jacob 212). I am a procrastinator; I am not motivated; I meet deadlines at the last minute. How was I supposed to keep up without someone holding a deadline over my head and reminding me about it twice a week? The challenge of distance learning is not so much the course, but the personalities of those taking the course. All of my friends kept telling me how lucky I was, but they didn’t know how frustrating it was going to be for me, the procrastinating people person. Week 1: I downloaded all the information and printed it out. I had to print it out because I needed the hardcopy; I needed to feel the paper in my hands; I needed to be able to write on it if I wished. I then followed the instructions and signed up for the LISTSERV, which was to be used as a forum for our weekly discussions. Each week a student would comment on an issue involved with the class and each student in the class was strongly encouraged to... [continues]
Andrea L. House, Holly N. Siegelman
Online collaboration has become a major resource for students and professionals alike. Distance learning and other forms of online communication have become established norms for many schools and professional organizations. While online communication has countless benefits, several disadvantages exist and continue to emerge. This paper will explore the authors’ personal experiences as students and professionals, taking an indepth look at online collaboration forums such as distance learning and professional collaborations as well as the advantages and disadvantages that each of these forums present. “The profile of the successful online student is that of a motivated, self-reliant person. It is someone who understands time commitment and will keep pace with the coursework. This personality type will be successful and will appreciate the lack of time constraints in a distance learning course without abusing them” (Ben-Jacob 212). I am a procrastinator; I am not motivated; I meet deadlines at the last minute. How was I supposed to keep up without someone holding a deadline over my head and reminding me about it twice a week? The challenge of distance learning is not so much the course, but the personalities of those taking the course. All of my friends kept telling me how lucky I was, but they didn’t know how frustrating it was going to be for me, the procrastinating people person. Week 1: I downloaded all the information and printed it out. I had to print it out because I needed the hardcopy; I needed to feel the paper in my hands; I needed to be able to write on it if I wished. I then followed the instructions and signed up for the LISTSERV, which was to be used as a forum for our weekly discussions. Each week a student would comment on an issue involved with the class and each student in the class was strongly encouraged to... [continues]
Cite This Essay
- APA
-
(2009, 10). Values in Distance Learning. StudyMode.com. Retrieved 10, 2009, from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Values-In-Distance-Learning-243032.html
- MLA
-
"Values in Distance Learning" StudyMode.com. 10 2009. 10 2009 <http://www.studymode.com/essays/Values-In-Distance-Learning-243032.html>.
- CHICAGO
-
"Values in Distance Learning." StudyMode.com. 10, 2009. Accessed 10, 2009. http://www.studymode.com/essays/Values-In-Distance-Learning-243032.html.
