By Tom Kowalski
NFL Continuing Education Consultant
The most rapidly growing area in the field of education is online education, a term used to describe a variety of Internet-based courses and degree programs that are usually part of a college or university’s distance learning program.
Courses taken on the Internet have incredible appeal to both current and former professional athletes who often find it difficult to return to their original institution. Sometimes a player’s former college will offer entire online degree programs, and today most at least offer a number of class options so some degree progress can be made.
It should be noted though that students are not exactly wired to take courses over the Internet. From kindergarten through college most of us have reported to class, taken instruction from a teacher, sat for tests, and handed in our homework. We are used to face-to-face communication with our classmates and with the teacher. Distance learning requires a very different skill set than traditional classroom learning. Some athletes and former athletes have been quite successful adjusting to the process; others have crashed and burned.
Some considerations when thinking about enrolling in a distance learning class include:
- Are you disciplined? This is the most important characteristic of a successful distance learner. Usually classes are flexible and sometimes there is no required schedule, so students have to force themselves to make the time to go through their lessons.
- Can you do well in a course in which you have little interaction with teachers or classmates?
- Do you have adequate computer skills?
- Are you proficient at time management and will you be able to schedule a weekly or twice-weekly time period to work on your course?
- Can you focus on the big picture? Oftentimes schools only allow students to take one or two online courses per semester.
- Why do I feel that this is a better option than returning to the classroom? Do you like to work independently or would you prefer working in a larger learning community?
There is a myriad of advertising that touts the convenience of taking courses over the Internet. While taking online courses may be convenient, do not assume that means easier. As a matter of fact, successful class completion rates for Internet-based courses are much lower than those for traditional classes.
In order to be successful in the virtual classroom, former players should consider the following:
- Make certain that the school you choose to attend is accredited and offers student support services. Today, because there are so many students choosing to take courses online, schools provide more access to faculty and classmates. In addition many programs offer tutoring and other services normally reserved for traditional students.
- If you want to enroll in an online course at one college to transfer back to your original institution, make certain that you inform them that the course is online. Some schools still will not accept online courses from other institutions. Always have courses pre-approved by your home institution.
- Manage your time wisely. Put aside time each week for your school work and let nothing short of an emergency disrupt you.
- If the class is interactive, make an effort to be part of online discussions, conversations with the professor, and group projects. This will help keep you on task and give you the feel of a more traditional classroom.
- Stephen Covey writes in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People to “begin with a goal in mind.” This is good advice for the distance learner.
Are you taking this class to finish your degree? Prepare for graduate school? Chase a dream? Motivate yourself to be successful in class and understand that, while distance learning is not an easier way to take a class, the convenience it offers allows you to pursue a lifestyle that is more comfortable for you.