Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Mary Lea, MS in Instructional Design & Technology
"Some of them have never seen situations. They can only answer as to how they think they would." She admits that occasionally not everyone sees eye-to-eye on group projects or discussions. There have been disagreements.
Name: Mary Lea Castelbury
Age: 60
Marital Status: Married
Children: A daughter, 39, and a son, 37
Biggest Difficulty: Managing to stay in school in the midst of a family tragedy
School: Western Illinois University
Target: M.S. in Instructional Design & Technology, 2009
"It really doesn't bother me," she says simply. "When you're not face to face, you're a little braver."
The freedom of being online instead of in person has been a real benefit. Instead of her education taking away from her hobbies, she has been able to combine the two. "We have an RV and I have a laptop," she says simply. She can work anywhere.
Some students log in from all over the world, she marvels. "I've never been outside of the continental United States. But while visiting my daughter in Maryland, I did check e-mail and keep track of assignments."
Her coursework in IDT focuses on extended learning, distance learning and web-based learning. Her current focus is structured independent learning. "I'm learning how to put lessons on CD-ROM and on the web." One class required her to build a web page complete with articles, photos, and links.
She does not yet have a definite plan as to how she will use her degree after retirement. But she knows she wants to help somewhere in the surrounding area.
She has already used some of her skills to write grants for medical equipment for the local ambulance company. She hails from a small county. The town to which she is closest has a population of only 800 people.
"Not all of them are in the electronic age," she says. There are classes available, however "some are geared toward people who have knowledge already. But some people just want to know how to write a letter, send a photo, or an e-mail."
She thinks there will be good use for her skills within her immediate community, or possible opportunities in the public school system or at the junior college level. Though she isn't sure just what the future holds, she has no plans to retire and just relax at home. "It's been 20 years since I've been home full-time," she laughs. "My husband and I just might kill each other."
"Interaction with people is valuable," she affirms. It is never too late for anybody to learn, she believes. "It's good to try new things." She has this advice for those considering an online course or degree, "If you even think you want to, try it."
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