Distance education is a great choice for many people, particularly those with full-time employment and family obligations.  People have a variety of reasons for taking distance learning courses, but these classes are not for everyone.  Although you will remain in constant contact with the instructor throughout the course, learning over the Internet is essentially a solitary activity.  If you are interested in enrolling in an distance education course at Lawson State Community College, you must be aware of the following:

A distance education learner is an individual who:

• Has good organizational and planning skills.

• Is prepared to devote at least 10 hours of study time per week, per course.

• Manages their time well.

• Follows written instructions well.

• Is self-disciplined and avoid procrastinating.

• Chooses an alternative route to take course work.

• Enjoys working independently.

• Learns well by reading materials.

• Feels comfortable using technology--including computers, online platforms, email, Internet, etc.

Benefits of Distance Education:

• Offers flexible educational experiences for nontraditional students

• Enables individuals to enrich themselves, improve a particular skill for current or future employment

• Allows students to try a college course to see if you want to pursue a degree

• Permits students to take college course work to transfer to another institution

Successful Learning:

Success in distance education courses depends on self-discipline and the ability to learn without face-to-face interaction. Lawson State's distance education courses maintain the same rigor and high standards as its classroom courses. Academic progress is established and maintained through regular course participation.  Each course is organized around the main screen from which you may reach individual modules; or you may proceed directly to bulletin board, help, chat room, professor, and/or references.

What to do after your registration has been approved

Students that pre-register/register for an online course will received a letter from the Distance Learning Director that contains helpful information needed to prepare for the course (syllabus, books, materials, etc).  Orientation (delivered online and/or face-to-face) is required for students that have not taken an online course at the College.

Textbooks can be ordered online by clicking the either icon below:

Browsing the Internet

If you are not an Internet user, you may find it takes a little while to adjust to the constantly changing environment of the Internet, and the frustrations that are often associated with new technology. Your first pre-requisite then is to learn as much as you can about browsing the Internet. The best thing to do is to get connected and start surfing the net (browsing the vast pool of information available on the Internet). This will provide the skills necessary to begin using BlackBoard. A factor in most courses includes using the Internet.  You will use the Internet and your web browser for information and reference. Below are search engines that can be used for the duration of the course(s).

Click Here For Search Engines