I’m programme lead for
a masters in online
and distance education programme.
And prior to that, for many years,
I was a tutor in
online and distance learning
across the Arts.
While there’s no typical
distance-learning course
the length can range from anything
from a few months to several years,
depending on the institution and
the subject being studied.
Students can stay motivated
when they’re studying by
trying to apply their learning
to contexts
they find interesting —
perhaps something to do with work
or something to do with their
family setting —
and choosing a study pathway
that fits their own interests: that can be
a real motivating power.
When you’re in your third or
fourth year of distance learning,
it can be both easy and
difficult to stay motivated.
By that time,
you may have what we call
‘study lag’: so
after several years,
you may be thinking,
“Ugh, yet another year of studying: yet
another year where I can’t have that
social life that I wanted,
and where I have to be
continually making compromises
in terms of getting the time
needed to study.” However,
in the third or fourth year,
the end is also in sight,
so there could be incredible motivating
power in thinking,
“Ah, it’s only another nine months
and then I’ll have this qualification.”
So, it’s a two-way thing really.
If a student gets a grade that’s
lower than they’re expecting,
that can be a real de-motivator:
they can end up feeling really fed up
and sometimes wonder whether
it’s worth carrying on.
At that stage, it’s vital to talk
to your tutor.
They can help you to
understand whether
you’ve actually answered the question
that was set – often that
can be a problem — and
they can help you to plan
for getting a higher grade in future.
As a distance-learning tutor,
I’d be very surprised
if a student didn’t encounter at
least one crisis during
their course of study.
Distance learning involves fitting in study
around other aspects of your life
and so there will be multiple points
of which there are challenges
and crises – so yeah, perfectly normal.
They should communicate with their tutor,
who will be best placed
to help them through this crisis —
help them manage their study strategies.
And they should also talk with
their peers.
Other students can be a huge
source of support.
Go the distance.
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