Student Readiness

• Are You Ready for Distance Learning?
  Several self-reflection and readiness papers are listed on this Web site from the Adizes Graduate School. Included are links to tests for learning styles, personality inventories and others. Some tests have fees for access.
• Degree Consulting Services
  DCS is completely independent, with no special relationship or agreement with any university or other organization. This service was started by distance learning pioneer and author Dr. John Bear in 1977.
• Degree.net books by John and Mariah Bear
  These books tell how to earn bachelor's, master's, doctorates, and law degrees entirely by distance learning, by home study, by exam, or over the Internet.
• The Diploma Mill Police (SM)
  The Diploma Mill Police (SM) is a free online college accreditation verification service for those seeking online and distance learning college degrees. Submit the name and location of any online university in the USA to find out if that college is a valid institution. Provided by GetEducated.com, an online degree clearinghouse founded in 1989.
• Distance Education Clearinghouse List of Course Catalogs
  The Distance Education Clearinghouse maintains a listing of various catalog collections worldwide. These are not catalogs of any single institution, rather, collections from various institutions.
• Distance Learning at About.com
  This site focuses on helping online students succeed. Sections include articles on selecting courses, setting up work spaces, studying, doing online research and selecting educational technology. Also are thirty directories to almost 1,000 distance learning Web sites. Some resources are sponsored links and advertisements.
• The Emerging Learner [video]
  Dallas TeleLearning has produced video three part series about distance learning called the Emerging Learning. It is designed to show student success in distance learning. The three parts are: "Learning for the 21st Century", "Getting Time and Technique on Your Side", and "Managing Your Courses, Your Tests, and Your Anxiety".
  
• How to Succeed in Distance Learning Courses
  This guide from Terra Community College in Ohio provides suggestions and tips covering subjects such as study skills, course organization information, and scheduling suggestions for distance learners.
• Just How Ready Are You for Distance Learning?
  Although on the Peterson's web site, this quiz originally appeared in the booklet, How to Study Independently, A Study Guide for Adult College Students, from Regents College (now Excelsior). It includes ten indicators of readiness.
• Student Advising Knowledgebase and Consultation
  The Student Advising Knowledgebase of the Baker's Guide web sites offers free advising about Christian distance education and earning online degrees.
• Study Tips for Successful Distance Learning
  From Peterson's Education and Career Center. Discusses tools, skills, and scheduling tips for students.
• The Virtual University Gazette's FAQ on Distance Learning, Accreditation, and College Degrees
  From the GetEducated.com web site, this article is written by Vicky Phillips and Cindy Yager of Lifelong Learning, Adult Education and Distance Learner's Resource Center. The article discusses what accreditation means, and how to go about finding a program which matches the students needs. GetEducated.com also offers guidebooks designed to help locate accredited distance learning graduate and undergraduate schools. The guides profile only colleges accredited by agencies recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.
• What Makes a Successful Online Student?
  Several suggestions and tips are offered by the Illinois Online Network (ION) Web site. Qualities and behaviors that online students may need to possess are outlined and links to related resources are provided.
• Please also see our section on Student Funding of Distance Education.