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| Characteristics of Distance Students | Age - Distance learning students are usually older comparing with typical students engaged in campus-based programs. In 2004 the amount of graduate school students was 73%, their age was under 35 years old. One can say that the age of distance learning students is getting younger.
Gender - It was reseached that from 60% to 77% distance learning students used to be women. The latest research shows that 75% of distance learning students are men.
Employment Status - More than half of distance learning students have full-time jobs, their quantity is from 77% to 90%. The reason why people study at distance learning courses is a chance to achieve advance in their careers.
Marital Status – It is not exactly known about the marital status of distance learning students. It is known that they have to combine study with their work and family.
Status - 83% of distance learning students study at individual courses. 23% combine campus-based and distance learning education to have more scheduling flexibility.
Students who study effectively on distance learning programs possess the following characteristics:
Internal Locus of Control - The students of distance learning courses control more their work and productivity comparing with students engaged in campus-based programs. Their success depends on their inner control and efforts.
Self-directedness - Distance learning students have such necessary quality as self-directedness, they control their own learning and success. The instructor should give directions and recommendations to distant students, who self-direct their efforts and work to follow those directions.
Various Traits of Character - Distance learning students possess such qualities as being intelligent, emotionally stable, trusting, compulsive, passive, conforming, self-sufficient and introverted.
Learning Styles - There is no dependency between various sensory-type learning styles such as auditory, visual, or tactile and the tendency of students to study in distance learning courses. Distance learning students learn from different content types and activities. They are less dependent to others in the educational environment comparing with campus students.
Motivation – People choose distance learning programs, because they are convenient and they are not time-bound. Such people have little free time, therefore, they need to combine study with their schedules, and they find it comfortable. Besides, received instructions motivate them.
People study at distance learning courses, because they want to achieve enhancement in their careers. Therefore, their attitude to work is responsible. Distance learning students have little free time to pay attention to the details of assignments. Therefore, instructors should provide them with a clear and detailed syllabus. Instructors should understand that their students may be busy with work and family and sometimes have no time for assignments.
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