*Annie Lerner is a pseudonym for the author

ASME offers over one hundred courses in distance learning format. Taking these courses online can be a flexible, cost-effective way to augment your professional development without taking time from work. The electronic approach to learning differs from the classroom approach, however, and it's worth getting a bit familiar with the environment before you make the leap.To help you get a feel for how it works, where to start and whether you've got what it takes to succeed in this alternative format, the following observations were shared anonymously with us by someone, new to Internet learning, who's been there and survived. This diary reveals the apprehension and occasional frustration that can come with getting into the electronic rhythm; you're not alone if you're a little put off by the whole idea. But as you'll see, this person persevered and was rewarded for the effort. After reading the trials and tribulations of a long distance learner, you'll be a step ahead!
The editors

Should I...or shouldn't I? I'm thinking of taking a course online with ASME. What do I need? It says in the materials that I'll need a Pentium processor, 256 pipe burst cache, CD-ROM, with a minimum of 486 megs of disk space loaded with Windows 95. I guess I have that. Most new computers do, right? Maybe the techie at work can tell me if my system meets all the requirements.

But is this right for me? I'm used to going to class, seeing an instructor in the front of the room, taking a break with other participants. I wonder what it will be like looking at my computer instead of a teacher, writing my answers instead of talking. Maybe I'm too lazy. I procrastinate-no one is going to get me to do the work.

Will I have the time? I know I should make the time and this approach seems a lot more flexible than the standard two-and-a-half day seminar. These courses last several weeks but you can log on anytime, anyplace. And I won't have to travel. I wonder if they'll let me use my company's laptop at home. Better ask my boss. Hey, I could work during lunch or after hours at my desktop. Better get permission for that.

What will my boss think? What will my company think? They're always telling us to keep current. Will they think this course is less valuable than a live one? That might be a tough sell. But research shows there is more interaction with other participants and the instructor than in a live classroom, and more opportunity for analysis and practical application. And, I'm doing the work on my own time, saving the company money. After all, they won't have to pay for my travel, airfare and hotel expenses.

This course uses Learning Space software. Never heard of it. Will I have to learn a whole new package? It says here if I can do Windows I can learn this. There is a tutorial online. I don't know about that. I'll ask the techie.

Here I Come
I decided to register. The boss gave me the OK. He was pleased that it won't interfere with my workload and that the company is saving on the hotel and airfare. He wants to know how it goes. He says he's heard about online learning through the HR manager. It would be nice to know what everyone else is talking about.

Of course now that it's a green light, I can't believe I signed up for a course online. What have I gotten myself into?

What if I have technical difficulties? And who's going to remind me to come to class? The good thing is I'll be able to do my work in my pajamas. I'll also be able to get up and go online at 2 a.m. if I can't sleep. Yeah, but I still think I'll miss being in class. On the other hand, if I am away on business, I can take my laptop and do work wherever.

My company is paying for this. It had better be good. The "Toolkit" arrived in the mail with instructions, reading material and the telephone number of a support person.

Doomed from the Start?
I knew it! I'm having trouble with my password! This is going to be a disaster. Wait, calm down. Four-year-olds are able to install software. My 13-year-old added memory to our home system in about 20 minutes. Get a grip. I thought there was a number in the Toolkit materials for technical assistance. Got it. It's an e-mail address. I better e-mail the tech support person right away otherwise I won't be able to start.

That was quick. Thank goodness there is someone available to help me. This may work out all right after all.

Starting the Course
Where do I begin? OK, so I click into the Schedule. It's got a list of modules and a calendar showing when things are due. Let's look at this syllabus. Readings every week! I already have an assignment the first week of class! Uh oh...I better get started. Where's the reading? Oh, now I get it. The Schedule module has everything I need including presentations, documents, links to the Web. Wait, it says here I can do readings in the textbook I bought. That's a relief. This online approach to learning is cool, but I still like a book and my good old highlighter.

Here's an article that looks interesting. I can print that out and read it later.

Back to my first assignment. Everyone has to get this done by the end of the first week. Wait, what's this? I have to introduce myself to the class? What class? Those other people are out there in cyberspace-maybe Bermuda. I have to create a profile or bio in the ProfileCenter. Sounds like online dating-anyway, I'm not getting personal. The instructions say just tell what my title is and what I do, and list a few of my current projects and hobbies. Not bad. Maybe I'll find someone who likes fly-fishing. The instructor has a bio in the ProfileCenter too.

My First Discussion
This isn't so bad. The section on how to use the data to forecast losses looks pretty interesting. Hey, they even put in graphics. And I thought this was going to be boring. Uh oh! Now I'm supposed to answer a question. At least I have time to think about it. I hate it in class when the instructor asks a question and there is always some wise guy who's sure he has the right answer. The arrogance of some people. I like a little time to think about things.

Now I've got to click into the Course Room to join the discussion. Wow! This sure looks different. Nothing like a chat room where everyone's jumping in all over the place and you can't follow anyone's line of thinking. I can see the question and so far, five people have answered. Two of them even responded to each other's answers. The instructor has responded to three others. There's the second question-wait, I'm not up to that yet. But, sure enough, there are two people who've already gone ahead and answered that one.

This is kind of fun. Someone just commented on my answer. I had no idea forecasting could be used for benchmarking. I should keep this guy in mind for our annual benchmarking exercise. This is really fascinating. I can't believe how much I'm learning just in this first discussion. I can't wait for the next one.

I've got readings, assignments and discussion questions to answer every week for six weeks. Some of the other courses run only three weeks.

My First Assignment
Now that the profile is done, my first real assignment is due by the end of the second week. The instructor assigned me a partner for the project. According to her profile, she lives in Omaha and has a pretty senior position in a large manufacturing facility. Her risk management department is bigger than mine. Maybe she can figure out what to do about this assignment. I'll just e-mail her my thoughts and then we can send the response back to the Course Room. Usually there's discussion first and team projects later.

Interacting with the Instructor
I thought I was just another ASME ID number. Boy, was I wrong. I've been busy at work the last few days and haven't had a chance to log on. My instructor sent me an e-mail asking me where I was. How did he know? Then I realized he could view the responses to the discussions by author (meaning the students) and by date, and he could see I have not been part of the discussion. At least I don't have to be embarrassed in front of the class.

First Test
Oh, great. A self-quiz. An open book test. I almost feel guilty, but not quite. These questions are simple, fairly typical-short answer, multiple choice or true/false-but I still have to think. I'll call my partner and we can work on it together.

It says I have to go back into the schedule to click on "test" to get to the Assessment Manager. Already, it's time to turn my work in. Wow! I submitted my answers and got the response back immediately! That was pretty sweet! I even found the right answers to the questions I got wrong.

On the Road
I've got a trip to Kansas City next week. But that doesn't mean I have to miss class. I'll just take my laptop with me and log on there. Before I go, I can download and print out the readings in the next module to take with me so I can read them on the plane. Then, when I'm at the hotel, I can log on for the discussions and to e-mail my assignment. If this were a longer course, I might have a few books to read, but this just uses the information provided online and one book. I have to remember to pack that one. There is a resource listing that suggests further reading. If I have time, I can borrow one of those books from the library to take with me on the trip.

Second Test
This test is individual. I'll have to do this one by myself. Go back into the Schedule to get to the test. It's multiple choice-easy enough. I just click on the correct responses and submit my test. Once it's sent, however, I can't go over it again. Oops, I wanted to change number seven. Too late now. I already submitted it. But, wait, here's an essay. AT least I have time to write it and think about it before I hand it, I mean e-mail it, in.

Group Project
Now what? A project. How can I do a project with my partner 2,000 miles away, and with two other people? Here are the instructions. We have a team discussion section in the Course Room. We can discuss what we're doing and no one else in the group can see it.

Of course, I'm tempted to call these people on the telephone, but that can be expensive, and the timing is not great with different time zones. It's not what computer learning is about either.

I hope I don't have to go to the library. I don't have time for that. Hey, it looks like the Media Center module has some extra reading for our subject. I can also do a search on the Internet and copy stuff into my Word document. This is a lot easier than I thought. I can spend my time reading this stuff instead of tracking it down. I had better paraphrase or use quotations and footnotes. I don't want any copyright problems. I hear that's a big problem on the Internet. There's been a lot of discussion at ASME about cyber-risk, you know, Internet liabilities. You've got to love this jargon.

We've divided up the analysis into four tasks and each of us will write one up, then we'll share the documents and edit them for the final draft. I kind of miss the coffee klatch, but this group work is a lot more efficient than any time I've don't it before. I got some really good comments from the rest of my team that I've already incorporated into my part of the project. The other three look to be in good shape. I can't remember the last time I finished a course project with time to spare! None of that usual last minute, all-nighter stuff. I'm getting too old for that anyway.

Mom Would Be Proud
The instructor liked our work. He even put some of the best parts up in the Course Room for everyone else to see. I feel pretty good about this.

Thank goodness this is not a credit course. No final. But, if there were, I might be taking a multiple choice or essay test. Or, doing a research project to hand in, by e-mail, of course.

Reflections
This was a lot of work-more work than in a live class. But I'd have to say it was actually fun. I met a lot of interesting people. Maybe I'll see them at the next annual conference. A cyber-reunion!

This was different from anything else I have ever experienced. And there were the problems starting up. But once I got started it went pretty smoothly.

I have to admit there were times when I felt overwhelmed. That may have more to do with the fact that I have a full-time job and any extra curricular professional development will be taxing. You have to find the time. But I did it. I learned so much from the other people in the group. I learned so much...I even think my writing improved a little.

Would I do it again? Yes, it was definitely worth it.

Everyone says the computer is here to stay and the Internet is the delivery mechanism of the future. I'm glad we made friends. I think I'm going to explore some of the other resources on the Internet. Do you know if you do a search for "risk management" on InfoSeek you get 33,388 finds? To be continued...

Glossary
Assessment Manager - database in Learning Space that has quizzes and tests
Asynchronous - anytime, anyplace
Chat Room - place online to have a live conversation with a bunch of people sharing the same interests
Click On - press the left or right mouse button once
Course Room - database in Learning Space that has discussions and assignments
Distance Learning - using technology to learn when the teacher and student are in different locations
Hyperlinks - connections to other Web sites, usually marked by blue text that you click on
Icon - a little picture or graphic, usually leading to a document or application
Profile Center - database in Learning Space used for bios of participants
Learning Space - group software for distance learning
Media Center - database in Learning Space used for course materials, reading, presentations, documents, hyperlinks, video clips, audio clips
Module - section or chapter of the course
Schedule - database in Learning Space that lists the modules, assignments, due dates
Submit - automatically e-mails your document to the instructor (you can't get it back!)
Syllabus - objectives, topics, texts, evaluation instruments for course
Threaded Discussion - organized set of questions and responses that can be viewed by subject, author or date

This article has been adapted from an article from Risk Management Magazine. Copyright 1998 RMSP Inc. All Rights Reserved. Amy Geffen, 1998.