Student services are an essential component of distance learning programmes as there is no one-to-one interaction with the students. Career advises and student counselling is therefore very necessary from the online education providers to build the trust and comfortable pace for their students.
Conduct a research about the student services offered
The types of student services offered by various institutions vary according to their infrastructure and the courses offered. So it is very important for the learners to make a survey of the student services that the various institutions provide and then decide which institution to try their luck on depending on their resource requirements.
The quality of the online student services comparable with the traditional classroom lectures?
We are quite aware of the fact that students who are going for online learning programmes are those people who don't have the time and money assistance to go for the traditional colleges to earn a degree. They mostly need to balance their work along with earning a degree to progress towards success. So the online service providers should have their student facilities better or at least at par with the traditional classroom lectures and college libraries. Apart from the traditional campus experience, even the online institutions compete among themselves to offer the industry best technology services.
In addition, Amanda Major, interim director of LSU Online at Louisiana State University, says, “It's important to ensure that online learners have a central place where they can become part of the larger academic community – whether it's on social media or through other means – as they would in person.”
On what platforms are these services available?
The reliable and easy mode of communication with the students is an important criterion for the online educators. Therefore, the online education providers should provide every possible mode of communication through technology to their students.
Drexel's Aldridge says. "More than ever, students are using iPads and mobile phones, and a lot of information on websites is not mobile-friendly."
What are the hours of online student services?
Since there is no physical barrier in distance learning programmes, so students from across the globe can register themselves for the online degree. Keeping in mind the learners' benefits from different time zones, the online student services should be available 24x7.
Does your online course offer tech support?
Since technology has a vital role in the successful delivery of online education, there it is the duty of the online service providers to facilitate the students with the technical assistance.
Various institutions have now stepped up helpdesk for the students to help them in managing their online learning management systems they use to attend class and submit assignments.
For more tips and tricks about online learning courses, write to us.
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