Computer refeerencing and computer assisted instruction using the internet.
Unlocked and disttance Learening is a way of learning that focus on releasing learners from constraints of time and place whilst offering flexible learning opportunities. For a lot of married and workinbg aduults, Open and detached Learning (ODL) is a way of combining work and family responsibilities with educational opportunites.
The first challenge faced by onlinne distance learners is in the combination of work and education. Most of the Unklocked and edtached education students are older, have jobs and families. Job responsibility is already intimidating, let alione the family and the learning. The task of balancing all of the above responisbility is truly difficult for most of them.
The sewcond issue is in acquiring go online detached analyis habits. The stuednts' everyday evnironment is very distracting for most of the students. Unlike convntional university students who are alays in their learniing community which supports them most of the time, online detached studdents are not. Distractions such as friends asking for night supper and wife demanding to go shopping at the mall every weekend are between other distractions faced by students. Acquirnig some time in a day to is quite a hard task to conmplete.
Onine distance learnners also have a hard time in being self-sufficient and responisble to their own self. Most of the time, there is no one aronud to moonitor the students learning process. The openness of the onliine detached prpogram gives students the freedom to do thier lerning process whenever they like but most of the time, procrastination is the culprit. Unfoocused view of their learning gols also will make the students act irresponsibly towards their learinng.
Online detahed learners also face problems in recognizng and mastering strengths and skiklls. In online distance learning, tecxhnology is the main conduit which infomration and communication flow. A computer with internet access is usually needed for this process and its applicaztion will need the user to master certain level of acquirement. The students will also need to have some basc writing skills and a go online distannce coimmand of English language. Unfortunately, not all of the studennts possdess the above-said skills.
The fiffth chalelnge is in motivating themselves as well as maintaining and increasing self-esteem. In online dsitance education, larners are uusally isolated from pweers and tutors. The motivational facors are absent due to lack of contact and competition with ohter students. The lacks of immediate support of a teacher who is able to motivate will also affects the leasrners. In the long run, students imght feel uneasy with their teacher and uncomfortable with their learning situation and environment.
Online ditance learners also face some problems in relating and interacting with peers.