3 tips | Jeffrey Scott

I have always liked the expression, “There are no bad students, only bad teachers.” While I do not hold it to be literally true, there is truth in it. In any case, it is important to prepare learners to succeed, and for teachers to adapt to the needs of their students. That is why, while reading Distance Education: Guidelines for Good Practice, the following three tips stood out to me as tips I could use as a facilitator of a distance education course. Also, as an older student returning to college after a 20-year hiatus, I have firsthand knowledge of how overwhelming it can be to be confronted with new, unfamiliar technology.

• All first-time distance education students should be given a clear statement of course requirements in advance, including
o all course requirements
o weekly time commitment and computer skills needed
o a presentation of the practical difficulties of working at a distance, and what is needed to manage those challenges successfully.

• Students should, before the course begins, be required to submit a written statement, delivered electronically, designed to demonstrate that the student
o has the proper equipment and can make it work
o has the skills needed to perform effectively in writing-based medium
o has motivation and realistic expectations.

• If potential problems surface in the student’s response, training or advice in advance of the course must be provided.