On occasion, you may find that you are experiencing a problem of some sort in a distance learning course. As with any class the problem may stem from a variety of sources. You may have a time commitment problem, have difficulty understanding an assignment, or feel that you are "in over your head" in the subject matter. Don't panic!

Identify Your Trouble Early

Every instructor will give you the same advice. Contact them as soon as you are aware you are having, or think you will have a problem. Any instructor will be more understanding if you contact them BEFORE an assignment is due rather than afterward. They will be better able to help before you take a test rather than after. They may be able to allow you to schedule an alternative date, may allow more time to turn in work, or may be able to offer an alternative assignment that will meet the same course requirements. But don't abuse the professor's goodwill and discretion. Remember they often hear pleas for exceptions, and you need to have a compelling reason to be granted an exception to the requirements placed on other students.

Make-up Work/Tests

Some Distance Learning Programs may have standard make-up dates for tests, or may have already identified what you do for a missed assignment. Be sure you check the published departmental and course policies early in the course if you anticipate a problem. Then BE SURE TO FOLLOW DIRECTIONS! Most instructors will not be very understanding if you fail to read the information they have already provided for you, or if you also miss the scheduled make-up date. Also, you will probably have better luck if you ask to take a test early, based on a schedule conflict, rather than asking to take it later. If you still find reluctance when you have a compelling schedule problem ask if you may take the test for slightly fewer points. This may convince the professor of your compelling need.

Academic Problems

Some courses are just hard. It may be the nature of the course work, or simply a subject matter that isn't your favorite. If you need help on a course there are several places to turn. First ask for assistance from the instructor, if you find you need more help, ask for referral to the school's tutoring process. Many schools are beginning to establish special programs for students at a distance. Third, using a tried and true method for years, you may find assistance among other class members.

If you are struggling, try to identify exactly where your problem is. Is it a particular chapter, a concept, a type of problem? Note when you last understood the content. At what exact point did you begin to have difficulty? Have you used any self-help processes, looked at examples, reviewed your own notes? Is there another book you have access to that reviews the same material? Have you looked at it? Is there a video or other media materials you could look at?

When you talk to the instructor, another tutor, or even classmates, first be prepared to say what you have done to try to help yourself. They will better be able to target in on what to do to help you. And of course, (need it be said?) don't wait until you are HOPELESSLY lost before asking for help. It is easier to correct a few wrong turns than to backtrack over many, many problems.

Contacting Your Instructor

All instructors have office hours, e-mail, phone hours, discussion forums, chat, postal mail or some other official way of assisting you in getting your course questions answered. Distance learning instructors are employed to assist students at a distance- and it is their job to do so! So, do not hesitate to ask for help. Instructors wonder why students wait until the last few weeks or few days of a course to express a need for assistance. By that time there is very little that can make up for an entire course of needs.

Now, students do need to understand the limits of assistance that an instructor can provide. Particularly in the Internet age, students may incorrectly assume that their instructor is sitting waiting for e-mails to come in 7 days a week! Of course that is not true. Most instructors have a policy of answering their e-mail twice a week. In some cases they may answer once a week. They may even be out at a conference or other business commitment for a few days. The specifics of the expectations are established with their employer (the school). One of the most effective forums for communications that overcomes many problems is to post course questions and answers on a bulletin board or electronic discussion forum on the Web. That way, one student's question benefits the whole group with the answer. Also, course forums can be accessed anytime, anywhere and can even easily be updated from out of town or anywhere there is Internet access.

It is important for students to understand that instructors are not employed to provide a privately tutored class to each student. It makes sense doesn't it? Public education is predicated on a system of classroom-based efficiency. That cost effectiveness must extend to distance learning or the public (taxpayers) will not fund these courses. In most cases however distance learning IS very cost effective, and with the right course design it can be a win-win for both students and the institution. By providing proactive information about the course content, assignments, and policies, and by providing flexible options for students, convenience and access are enhanced while costs are kept down.

The information that should be provided to students is how often the instructor will be able to respond to questions and what the posted office hours, phone hours, chat-room hours or discussion forum postings will be.

Follow the instructor's lead on the preferred method of contact. In most cases e-mail or phone will be used more for private or personal messages and the public electronic forums will be used for class-wide information. By the way, you should have an expectation of privacy, and should not expect your e-mail address, home address, course work, or other personal information to be distributed to others without your permission. (Note however that commenting on a bulletin board may include your e-mail address.)

What If There Is A Problem My Instructor Isn't Resolving?

Let it be said that most course instructors are highly dedicated professionals, and will go out of their way to help you resolve a problem. But, if you think an issue simply does not seem to be headed for a resolution, you normally have resource through the Dept. Dean, Chair, or other administrative official at the school, even at a distance. If it is an issue out of the instructor's hands, the instructor may gladly forward you on to the correct contact. If it is not, try contacting the Dean of the Dept. to ask how to address your concern. If necessary, you might contact counseling staff at the school to ask for the correct referral.

Schools have published policies to assist the institution, the students, and the faculty in maintaining an optimal educational environment. Check these policies if you have a question. An advisory though is that you should be sure you have correct facts and information to support any concerns you have. While your concerns will be seriously addressed, you will need to effectively support any statements you make to be fair to all concerned.

Return to Main Module