Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Ann Marie, Master of Healthcare Administration
Are there any disadvantages to distance learning?
One of the drawbacks of distance learning is that we cannot hear the inflection in someone's voice or see their body language when they are trying to convey a thought. I perceive this as a drawback because I am someone who depends on humor quite often to get my point across.
Name: Ann Marie Paul
Age: 45
Location: New Jersey
Occupation: College Professor
Advice to New Students: Anticipate that going back to school will demand a lot of time.
School: Seton Hall University
Target: MHA, Fall 2008
Humor written in a discussion board can be a dangerous thing, because it's difficult to know how the comment has been received. Consequently, our online courses help us to be very careful in our written expression, which is a very good tool to carry into our professional lives. Practicing quick, articulate, and respectful online responses now will carry over into how we conduct ourselves professionally in the future.
What has been your favorite course so far, and why?
I cannot name a favorite or least favorite course, as I only began taking courses in September, 2006 and I'm on my third course. So far, every course has been my favorite!
Do you think you'll choose distance learning again?
I do not know what the future will hold in terms of pursuing future degrees, but I know that I would not hesitate to study via distance education again. Perhaps the future will see me teaching an online course!
Do you have any advice for those considering distance learning?
Because online learning requires greater discipline from the student than the traditional classroom does, you should be prepared to be able to make the choices in your life that will benefit your education.
Life will change for the duration of your studies; don't enter into online education thinking that the change will be minor. It will be a major change in how you live your life for a while. Therefore, you should look for a program that respects this time commitment.
Ask questions of the program director and talk to current students and alumni, especially about time commitment. If they try to make it sound like a breeze or that very little will change in your life, cross that school off your list.
When I was looking into programs, the Program Director, students, and alumni of Seton Hall were very honest about the discipline, time commitment, and life changes that would be required to be successful in the MHA program. Their honesty helped me to make a good, informed choice.
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