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Distance education courses offer flexibility and greater access to learning opportunities, but there are pitfalls common in this type of environment. As a teacher of online courses and a student in a distance education program, I've experienced these pitfalls both as a witness to them and as the one who stumbles into them. Awareness of these common mistakes can help you avoid them so that you can get the most out of your distance education classes.

THE TIME TRAP
The flexibility offered by a distance education class creates one of its most challenging snares, i.e., poor time management. In a face to face class, the schedule imposed by regular class meetings helps students stay on track. This kind of time pressure does not exist in a distance education course and it is easy to mismanage one's time and to fall behind. Most online courses are not self-paced; there is a schedule to which one must adhere with rigid start and end dates. Students must plan their daily schedules to include time for visiting the class website, reading material, doing homework, participating in discussions, and completing assignments, and taking tests. Prioritizing tasks and using a daily planner which takes these commitments into account are effective time management strategies that can help you stay on track.

THE TECHNOLOGY TRAP
One of the most common sources of frustration is problems with technology, leading some students to perform poorly or drop out of their courses. Given that the primary medium for delivering instruction is the World Wide Web, proficiency with web browsers and computers are essential. Instructors expect that students will come to their courses already possessing a certain level of technical proficiency.

Some technical skills commonly needed for distance learning courses include the ability to:
> download course material
> upload assignments such as papers or exams
> adjust a web browser to handle cookies, pop-ups, and java
> download and install software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader or media players
> operate devices like a webcam or microphone
> find information through search engines like Google, Altavista, Dogpile, and Yahoo!

Fortunately, these skills can be learned through online tutorials, campus computer lab staff, and your own children. Many children in middle school and high school learn these basic skills in school or through their own web surfing experiences.

THE TRAP OF UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
Many students incorrectly assume that distance education classes

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