Through the eyes of a distance learner
11/24/2009
By Jessica Mayo Swimeley
At one time, due to my full-time responsibilities as a mother of children with chronic medical complications, I believed my education would have to wait indefinitely. Then, sometime between dealing with my oldest son’s hypoxic brain injury and my youngest son’s brain tumor diagnosis, I discovered distance learning.
Shortly thereafter, I enrolled at Lake Superior College. There I discovered that, with the flexibility that distance learning afforded non-traditional students, I could juggle family, school, and even work. The following year, as I completed my requirements for an Associates of Arts degree, I began my search for a reputable four-year University with a strong distance education department that offered a variety of degree options. I was pleased to discover that right over the bridge from LSC is the University of WI-Superior.
Not only does the distance education department at UWS offer several degree options, they also offer transfer agreements with LSC and several other colleges in the region, which eases transferring institutions and maximizes credits already completed. In addition, I came to find out that one-on-one attention and comprehensive advising were also part of the package.
The point here is not just to sing the praises of UWS’s commitment to distance learning that has allowed for over 1,000 student to earn a bachelors degree, but to introduce you to a significant portion of the student population at UWS—distance learners.
Currently, distance learners comprise approximately 15% of the student population at UWS, with over 400 students currently enrolled. In line with over 30 years of commitment to quality distance education and growth, application rates are up 50% over last year, according to the distance department.
But what about the faces and stories behind the computer screens? Who are distance learners? Why do these students choose distance learning as the platform for their education? What is it like to a distance student at UWS?
Just like for other students, the reason and purpose for pursuing a college-education vary for distance students. However, for a large number of distance students, distance education is the most logical route to career and educational advancement.
According to Jim Shelquist, outreach specialist in the Distance Learning Department, although there are a portion of distance students that simply prefer the distance learning delivery method for their education, the vast majority of UWS’s distance students are non-traditional students who chose distance learning due to circumstances that make physically attending college more challenging for them than for traditional students. Some students face personal or family medical complications. While for many others geographical location, financial and job responsibilities, and family obligations make distance education their most viable option. Many of these students find that distance education provides opportunities without the strain on-ground classes would cause. For example, about 80% of UWS’s distance student population is women, many of whom are the primary caretaker or wage-earner for their families.
Another appeal of seeking a degree through the distance learning department at UWS is that UWS is accredited institution, and part of a very well respected public university system. Through his work as an outreach specialist, Mr. Shelquist states that many students are attracted to this aspect of distance learning at UWS. When asked about why she chose UWS’s distance program, Robin Gotch, a Communicating Arts major, said that she was skeptical of many of the schools she researched. “I began like many people my age by looking into one of those ‘non UW’ online schools. I was shocked at the cost... I do admit that I was also a bit credulous regarding their claims to obtain a degree in a fraction of the time it would take at a brick and mortar school. If it seems too good to be true – it probably is.”
Fortunately for Robin and the other 400 plus distance students at UWS, UWS has a proven reputation as a quality provider of distance education since the 1970’s and also has one of lowest cost in the University of Wisconsin system. In addition, personal experience has shown me that quality does not come as a price. Ms. Gotch also expressed her satisfaction with her experience at UWS. In relating her experiences, Ms. Gotch shared a story of a recent trip to college orientation with her daughter. During the program, Ms. Gotch let out a proud whoop of support at the mention of UWS—a sure sign of school spirit!
While the distance student population here at UWS isn’t visible on campus, they are a proud part of the UWS. Right along with on-ground students they attend classes daily, participate in discussions, stress over exams, and look forward to graduation. Instead of time spend in the class rooms, time is spent using a variety of technology and electronic resources that provide the platform for learning. Instructors use traditional textbooks, electronic databases, discussion forums, written and recorded lectures, online resources, and a plethora of other methods and resources designed to maximum learning in an online environment.
However, unlike campus students, distance students access classes 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at any location that has internet service. Through carefully designed syllabi, schedules, and curriculums, students complete a range of coursework that they can fit into their personal schedules. Students also do not miss out on the valuable experience of student-to-student and student-to-instructor interaction because technology makes group and class projects, as well as frequent contact, possible. For example, some instructors utilize wikis or Skype to maximize student interaction in class projects.
As growth at the distance learning department continues, there are continued efforts to connect distance learning students with one another and their campus. The Cyber Café, the distance learning center online student center, offers opportunities for distance students to connect, exchange experiences, access resources, and connect to happening on campus. In addition, a distance student organization is in the making. It is the hopes of distance students like Scott Teigland, who undertook the challenge of creating the student organization, that a distance student organization will provide support and fellowship for distance students and give them an outlet to express and exchange their unique concerns and ideas. An additional goal of the organization is to see distance learning students represented in the Student Senate.
Integrating students in the distance learning department with the campus community to the greatest extent possible will provide increased opportunities for distance learners and also increase diversity, which is of value to all students.
The distance learning center offers an Individualized major, as well as majors in Elementary Education, Communicating Arts, and Sustainable Management. There are also a variety of minor options. If you want more information about the distance learning department or you are interested in programs offered through the department, you can contact the distance learning department at: 715-394-8487.
Shortly thereafter, I enrolled at Lake Superior College. There I discovered that, with the flexibility that distance learning afforded non-traditional students, I could juggle family, school, and even work. The following year, as I completed my requirements for an Associates of Arts degree, I began my search for a reputable four-year University with a strong distance education department that offered a variety of degree options. I was pleased to discover that right over the bridge from LSC is the University of WI-Superior.
Not only does the distance education department at UWS offer several degree options, they also offer transfer agreements with LSC and several other colleges in the region, which eases transferring institutions and maximizes credits already completed. In addition, I came to find out that one-on-one attention and comprehensive advising were also part of the package.
The point here is not just to sing the praises of UWS’s commitment to distance learning that has allowed for over 1,000 student to earn a bachelors degree, but to introduce you to a significant portion of the student population at UWS—distance learners.
Currently, distance learners comprise approximately 15% of the student population at UWS, with over 400 students currently enrolled. In line with over 30 years of commitment to quality distance education and growth, application rates are up 50% over last year, according to the distance department.
But what about the faces and stories behind the computer screens? Who are distance learners? Why do these students choose distance learning as the platform for their education? What is it like to a distance student at UWS?
Just like for other students, the reason and purpose for pursuing a college-education vary for distance students. However, for a large number of distance students, distance education is the most logical route to career and educational advancement.
According to Jim Shelquist, outreach specialist in the Distance Learning Department, although there are a portion of distance students that simply prefer the distance learning delivery method for their education, the vast majority of UWS’s distance students are non-traditional students who chose distance learning due to circumstances that make physically attending college more challenging for them than for traditional students. Some students face personal or family medical complications. While for many others geographical location, financial and job responsibilities, and family obligations make distance education their most viable option. Many of these students find that distance education provides opportunities without the strain on-ground classes would cause. For example, about 80% of UWS’s distance student population is women, many of whom are the primary caretaker or wage-earner for their families.
Another appeal of seeking a degree through the distance learning department at UWS is that UWS is accredited institution, and part of a very well respected public university system. Through his work as an outreach specialist, Mr. Shelquist states that many students are attracted to this aspect of distance learning at UWS. When asked about why she chose UWS’s distance program, Robin Gotch, a Communicating Arts major, said that she was skeptical of many of the schools she researched. “I began like many people my age by looking into one of those ‘non UW’ online schools. I was shocked at the cost... I do admit that I was also a bit credulous regarding their claims to obtain a degree in a fraction of the time it would take at a brick and mortar school. If it seems too good to be true – it probably is.”
Fortunately for Robin and the other 400 plus distance students at UWS, UWS has a proven reputation as a quality provider of distance education since the 1970’s and also has one of lowest cost in the University of Wisconsin system. In addition, personal experience has shown me that quality does not come as a price. Ms. Gotch also expressed her satisfaction with her experience at UWS. In relating her experiences, Ms. Gotch shared a story of a recent trip to college orientation with her daughter. During the program, Ms. Gotch let out a proud whoop of support at the mention of UWS—a sure sign of school spirit!
While the distance student population here at UWS isn’t visible on campus, they are a proud part of the UWS. Right along with on-ground students they attend classes daily, participate in discussions, stress over exams, and look forward to graduation. Instead of time spend in the class rooms, time is spent using a variety of technology and electronic resources that provide the platform for learning. Instructors use traditional textbooks, electronic databases, discussion forums, written and recorded lectures, online resources, and a plethora of other methods and resources designed to maximum learning in an online environment.
However, unlike campus students, distance students access classes 24 hours a day and 7 days a week at any location that has internet service. Through carefully designed syllabi, schedules, and curriculums, students complete a range of coursework that they can fit into their personal schedules. Students also do not miss out on the valuable experience of student-to-student and student-to-instructor interaction because technology makes group and class projects, as well as frequent contact, possible. For example, some instructors utilize wikis or Skype to maximize student interaction in class projects.
As growth at the distance learning department continues, there are continued efforts to connect distance learning students with one another and their campus. The Cyber Café, the distance learning center online student center, offers opportunities for distance students to connect, exchange experiences, access resources, and connect to happening on campus. In addition, a distance student organization is in the making. It is the hopes of distance students like Scott Teigland, who undertook the challenge of creating the student organization, that a distance student organization will provide support and fellowship for distance students and give them an outlet to express and exchange their unique concerns and ideas. An additional goal of the organization is to see distance learning students represented in the Student Senate.
Integrating students in the distance learning department with the campus community to the greatest extent possible will provide increased opportunities for distance learners and also increase diversity, which is of value to all students.
The distance learning center offers an Individualized major, as well as majors in Elementary Education, Communicating Arts, and Sustainable Management. There are also a variety of minor options. If you want more information about the distance learning department or you are interested in programs offered through the department, you can contact the distance learning department at: 715-394-8487.
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