Before taking a course through distance education, 23-year-old Jessica Lu had reservations.
“I never thought distance education was something that would work for me,” says the Vancouver resident who graduated from the University of British Columbia this spring with a degree in biology.
Lu had a “very traditional sense of learning” with a professor and a lecture. When an elective class she wanted to take was full, distance education became the only option.
“I liked how it was really convenient,” says Lu.
With large breaks in her schedule between classes, she used that time to complete two courses through distance education.
For 25-year-old Leigh Fuller, she felt distance education would be “a good move to accelerate her career.”
When she began pursuing a project management certificate from Algonquin College in Ottawa in the spring of 2009, she had a full-time job as an administrative assistant and was also riding and training horses on the side.
“One thing that can pretty much guarantee you won’t be successful at it is if you’re not capable of having the discipline to sit down and actually do the work yourself without anyone encouraging you,” she says.
Fuller feels distance education is a good fit for busy people and shy people who may not enjoy being in the classroom.
The distance education experience has been positive for Lu, but she would have liked for the tests to have included more short answer type questions rather than being strictly multiple choice.
Fuller doesn’t have any complaints.
“I would do it again, well I am,” she says with a chuckle.
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Leigh Fuller
Last song played on iPod? Lips of an Angel by Hinder
Cheesiest song on iPod? Kiss a Girl by Keith Urban
Favourite actor? Clive Owen
Favourite film? Kingdom of Heaven
Jessica Lu
Last song played on iTouch? Marionettes by The Zolas
Cheesiest song on iTouch? Ballads by Chicago and Lionel Richie
Favourite actor? Jim Parsons
Favourite film? Singin’ in the Rain
