| There are a number of well known advantages about | | | | study group. |
| getting a distance learning education, such as reduced | | | | (1) Try to find out a little about your classmates. By |
| costs, flexible schedules and studying from virtually | | | | that we don't mean height, weight and whether they |
| anywhere. At the same time, there is the matter of | | | | have blond hair and brown eyes or dark hair and |
| study groups. Many a course not only recommends | | | | brown. These groups are not dating services. |
| them, they might even require students form study | | | | Concentrate more on when the group can meet, |
| groups as a way to better process and apply what's | | | | taking into consideration the schedules of each |
| being taught. | | | | person participating. If at all possible, if members are |
| Another key advantage of a study group is one | | | | within a reasonable distance from one another, see if |
| student's weakness could very well be another's | | | | the group would like to meet in person every so |
| strength, and vice versa. Communicating between | | | | often. |
| each other can help overcome respective deficits, | | | | (2) Always be polite. Manners are the grease that |
| with both walking out more well-rounded. Also, a | | | | lubes the gears of society and being respectful of |
| professor is more prone to answer a question from | | | | your fellow group mates makes the studying all the |
| a group than an individual. | | | | smoother. Don't insult the intelligence of anyone in |
| The thing is, there's the matter of how can a diverse | | | | the group if he or she does not understand |
| group of students who can range in age from 18 to | | | | something that seems ridiculously easy to you. You |
| 80 and who live anywhere from Topeka to Baghdad, | | | | never know when the tables are going to be turned |
| get together. The answer is to set up an online | | | | and you're the one who will be asking to have |
| study group. | | | | something explained. Also, nurturing a collaborative |
| As it happens, online colleges are well-aware of this, | | | | spirit only helps, particularly if the course just happens |
| and have come up with their own solutions. Many | | | | to include group assignments. |
| have set up sites within their courses where students | | | | (3) Never be afraid to ask a question. If you don't |
| of a particular class can set up online study groups. If | | | | understand something, pipe right up and say so. |
| not, Google has recently set up its own service, | | | | Clamming up will sooner or later not only hold you |
| Google Groups, which includes a study group area. No | | | | back, but bog down the group. Your question may |
| matter what, there are still some things to be | | | | open up new lines of discussion. If you know the |
| considered when either setting up or participating in a | | | | answer to an asked question, jump in and provide it. |