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How to Study
Why are you a distance learner?
You may have chosen this mode of study because you prefer to be in control of your own learning and to decide when and how to learn. You may be a distance learner by necessity because of your geographical location or for personal reasons. You may be working fulltime and your course may relate to your employment. You may have other commitments on your time that prevent you attending a more traditional course.
Studying on a distance course requires self discipline and clear motivation from you. But it has the benefits that you can be a more independent learner. If you are taking a vocational programme, you can apply your learning immediately within your work context ensuring close links between theory and practice. This will also link to your future employability.
Find out more about what you will need and how to study as a Distance Learner. [Power Point] or [HTML]
There are online questionnaires to help you decide if distance learning is an appropriate mode for you and to alert you to the strategies you need to use to be effective.
- Distance Learning Self Assessment test [The Community College of Baltimore]
- Self Assessment for Distance Learning [Oregon Network Education]
Learning Styles
There are many ways to learn. It helps to know which methods and approaches work well for you. Have a go at some of the online learning style inventories that can help you identify how you learn best.
- LdPride.net - This has a 30 item questionnaire and information on different approaches.
- DVC Online - There are 32 items which relate to 4 learning styles : visual/verbal, visual/nonverbal, tactile/kinaesthetic, auditory/verbal. Good strategies for using the styles.
- Learning Styles [Middle Tennesse State University] - Left brain, right brain dominance is measured by a 19 item test with advice about using the results. The home site has advice on aspects of study.
- Learning Styles Online - A 70 item test, presented graphically and links to strategies.
Study Skills
There are many websites on effective study skills. These tend to be general rather than for distance learners, but they offer good advice.
In addition you need to build in ways to
- manage your time
- maintain your motivation
- get feedback on how you are progressing
- use self assessment and self evaluation methods to check how well you are achieving your course outcomes and managing your learning.
Support System
You may need a range of support in addition to the "teaching" eg advice on study skills, peer support, pastoral care, counselling, formative assessment, access to libraries, technical computing advice. Know how to get help quickly when you need it. Know who to ask for different kinds of help. In addition to the University staff linked to your programme, there are central University services. You also need to develop a personal support network that suits your needs You can use a mentor, workplace supervisor, other students on the course, colleagues and friends.
You can build relationships and discuss your needs face-to-face, by phone, video conference, email or using discussion forums on My Dundee. Be aware that distance learning can seem lonely and you may feel isolated. Adopt strategies to prevent this. Be proactive and take charge of your learning. Most people are very willing to help especially if you are specific in your requests and listen to their ideas.
Special needs
If you have special or additional need as well as being a distance learner, have a look at some of these gateway sites.