Are You Right for Alaska Online Education?

Alaska online education is a convenient and effective way to learn, but not everyone is a good fit for the distance learning environment. Here are a few questions to help you determine if you're right for online learning.

1. Do you have easy access to an Internet-equipped computer? Without convenient access to Internet and a computer on a regular basis, Alaska online education could prove difficult. Ideally, you should have a laptop or PC at home that others don't routinely use. That way, you can log on to your classes whenever the time is best for you.

2. Can you work independently? To succeed in a distance learning program, you have to be capable of handling a great deal of independence. Think about times when you've had to work on your own in the past without someone to keep you on task or assist you. If you performed well in those situations, you will probably do equally well in the online environment.

3. Have you ever learned to do something by reading about it? In Alaska online education classes, you will never hear lectures, and you will probably not see any visual demonstrations of the material. As such, you have to be capable of and comfortable with learning from reading texts, materials, discussions, etc. If you have trouble teaching yourself concepts you read, you may struggle with online coursework.

4. Can you tolerate 10-15 hours per week at the computer? First of all, you have to make sure that you can spare 10-15 hours each week in your schedule. If so, ask yourself if you can tolerate sitting at the computer for that long. Your class discussions, projects, papers, and most reading materials will be online, so you will need to spend a significant amount of time at your computer.

5. Are you interested in Alaska online education because you think it will be easier than traditional classes? That online classes are less rigorous than traditional courses is a common misconception among first-time online students. If you think that an online learning program will be easier than pursuing a degree at a brick-and-mortar school, you are wrong. In fact, many online colleges and universities increase the intensity of the coursework by condensing 16 weeks of material into five-week courses.

6. Do you have strong written communication skills? The asynchronous online environment relies entirely on written communication to facilitate learning. If you struggle with articulating your thoughts in writing, you may have trouble with online classes. On the other hand, if you prefer to take your time and write out your thoughts rather than having to speak, the online environment is ideal. If you have any questions, please check our our Frequently Asked Questions page.