Can somebody help revising it? Thanks.

Hi everyone,

Please feel free to revise it for me. Even a minor mistake I'll appreciate very much.


What a distance leaner needs to know

A distance learning course is primarily an independent study course and therefore, it is necessary for a distance learning student know how it differs from the traditional course to play their role well in a new setting. The most essential requirement are: autonomy, motivation, proper manners of using a language, basic computer skills, and a positive attitude to overcome difficulties.

A good distance learner should be autonomous; that is to be self-disciplined and independent. Distance education provides convenience for people to study; however, convenience makes people even lazier. To avoid laziness, a learner must manage themselves to take their responsibility. No one will remind a distance learner of a deadline for their assignment and a reading task. They are also responsible to read other classmates’ opinion. Unlike traditional setting that everyone is all ears, one may earn little from the class discussion if they never read other’s opinion but just simply post theirs. Their independence contributes the achievement. They need to check all the information listed online instantly.

Next, a successful distance leaner are highly motivated. If you are doing a project about a term “epistemology,” for example, you may need to search online to figure out the meaning. I am sure that Internet provides much more info than a traditional classroom. Thus, the more you search, the more you learn since knowledge never ends! The process of searching determines the degree of understanding the term. Therefore, if a distance learner is unwilling to or just spent a little time on it, they will never learn well.

Third, a distance learner should be more aware of the language they use. In traditional classroom, we evaluate a person by seeing how he or she dresses, act, and the tone they use besides the language. But in the cyber world, it’s impossible to see these things. We can only judge each other by looking at the language one uses. Besides, everything has records and people read it over and over. If you misuse a word, it will cause misunderstanding or even upset people. Moreover, one needs to learn to use some polite language when they disagree with others.

A distance leaner should be equipped with some basic computer skills, such as how to use email, word processor, discussion board and so on. The more technical skills they are equipped; they will find it useful in distance learning.

Finally, a distance learner needs to learn to ease their anxiety. In my introduction, I had expressed my anxiety of being a distance learner for the first time. The reason is that I am afraid of learning all on my own and will miss some key points, such as the deadline of submitting assignment. I assumed that this is what most distance learners like me are nervous about. However, I try to adjust myself and then found my anxiety had some positive value. It means I am concerned about being a good distance leaner. So try not to be discouraged when you run into difficulties.

To sum up, there are many features that a distance leaner needs to be aware of when the setting is shifted from face-to-face to a cyber classroom. Autonomy, motivation and appropriate/polite languages are essential to a distance learner. Some basic computer skills are necessary. Moreover, how to adjust him/herself to fit in the new learning circumstance is what a distance learner should know.