Distance learning-DNP

lcprnc · Apr 4, 2009

ill be honest with you i don't want to know my classmates...thats one of the main reasons i do online learning to bypass all the bs...i am not there to establish relationships i am there to learn, succeed and get out...

and i am the opposite. i got to know at least three of my classmates. we were a team. we became very good friends and as a matter of fact, met once face to face. it was awesome. i made lifetime friends. we really helped each other through school.

ivanh3 · Apr 4, 2009

I'm accepted into a DNP program starting in the fall 2009. Can you give me some tips for success with distance learning? What are the challenges that are exclusive to distance learning? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Online and distance courses can vary quite a bit in their delivery. As you have probably picked up on, many of the comments on this part of the board pertain to Excelsior College. EC is not really "online". The ADN nursing courses have no start/stop dates, no assignments, no "classmates" and so that would be one side of the scale. Then there is the other side of the scale: classes are actually streamed live over the internet with video and audio, you sit at your computer at a certain time each day, and you will "chat" real time with your classmates and instructor. This is synchronous participation.

Most online/distance programs, however, are somewhere in the middle. The schools will use software (similar to this board) to present their information. The big formats that I am familiar with are Blackboard, E-College, and Web CT. I am sure there are others. Most classes have regular term start/stop dates/semesters (they have to in order to qualify for federal financial aid), but no daily class start times. You will be given a syllabus and assignments just like any other college. You may or may not be required to "participate" in class discussions. These discussions are usually asynchronous meaning posting can occur at any time each day, just like here on Allnurses.com. Someone will post a comment, and someone will respond at some point later. Often your instructor will require that you make a certain number of posts each week, and sometimes you will be required to cite your sources for you comments (usually APA style).

You will get to know your classmates depending on the length of your program, and how many start at the same time as you. I have been at Graceland University (online division) for about 2 and a half years, and there is a group that I have had for almost every class. Also, it is possible (likely) you will be given group assignments to write a paper or put together a power point presentation. Sometimes you will post these files in the discussion area (again, just like you can do here at AN). Other students can look at your paper/power point and then comment on it.

I think it is good to work with classmates. It helps to develop team building and problem solving, and you might just have some fun. Of course some students are less, ummmm, enthusiastic and/or sophisticated than others, but then that is true outside of school as well. The classes can be busy enough to force you to be organized. In my opinion, the only thing I am missing out on is the drive to campus.

Hope that helps,

Ivan