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Content Introduction

1

3.0 refusing changes

3

3.1 affect

5

3.2 ways to overcome

6

4.0 difficulties in understanding

7

4.1 affect

9

4.2 ways to overcome

10

5.0 stress

12

5.1 affect

14

5.2 ways to overcome

17

Summary

19

References

20

When we talk about self-manage learning concept, which is mean we have to stud y independentl y. There is no management, lecturer or warden to provide you ever ything. Unlike UNITAR, CCOSMOPOINT, TAYLOR, UPM, USM etc. they are provide lecturer, management, warden and schedule to follow. In the world today, education is ver y important. For those who are not educated, they will leave far awa y by society. Degrees holder are too common for the society nowadays. In the budget 2009, our prime minister had make an announcement to provide rm31 billion for the education in Malaysia. It I a very big amount compare to last year. Government had increase the amount to 14.1% compares to the budget 2008 In spite that, there are still so many of them who cannot get a job. For OUM learners, there is not a problem for them if the y able to sacrifice their time for studies. In the graduation da y, they are for sure snapping picture with their famil y (with proud). Furthermore, it is a very good advantage for them to learn in OUM. The y have experiences, EQ and also knowledge. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in the speech of Parliament, 2001 mentioned that 75% of the degrees holders enable to get a job.

“The y are smart in studies, the y are good student with colorful result, but are the y able to complete the job given is the next question.” E-learning is also one of the learning methods in OUM beside face to face tutorial. E-learning refers to using electronic applications and processes to learn. E-learning applications and processes include Web-based learning, computer-based learning, virtual classrooms, and digital collaboration. Content is delivered via the Internet, intranet/extranet, audio or video tape, satellite TV, and CD-ROM. There is many problem occur for working adult e-learners during their studies. They have to be part time student, full time worker and have to concentrate on their family. Those who are married will get more impact in their life being a part time student. The y have to pay attention on their parents, husband/wife and also children. Working people may face stress with their tight schedule. Time management also one of the factor. Some of them do not have interest in studies but still taking up courses because of their “comfort zone” purpose so the y are not read y. Lack of experiences on the learning method, unable to understand 100%, language problem and etc may lead them to failure.

3.0 People refuse to change As mention, education takes every important place nowadays. For getting a higher level in career, certificate place a ver y important role. Everyone rush for it and take up a course without getting ready. For those who are ambitious, their aims are to get higher level and salar y. Ambitious people will not get awa y from power and money. They take up courses without knowing how far they can able to do so. This is because they may face a lot of difficulties to concentrate. Those who can manage their mentality, time and willing to sacrifice will be the winner. There are also some people who are in their ‘comfort zone’. Comfort zone is a meaning that the person has their own thinking create by themselves, environment or other people. They refuse to change and step out of their comfort zone. To do so, it is very difficult. Most of them their comfort zone is to get a degree and master. They do not even know their ability to do so. For parents, education is very important for their children. Not enough with schooling period and homework, tuition classes and home practices are compulsor y. Nowada ys, the competition is so big. Friends compete with friends to get the best result.

Not enough with 11 A’s, the y are aiming 20 A’s. 14 A’s are so common that no one looking for it. The best student will not onl y getting scholarship. The y are getting power, mone y and records too. These situations change the mind of society as well… working adults too... E-learners decide to take up courses should know who they are, their aim, wh y and how far the y can make it. Taking a half way course, ending up getting nothing is a waste of energy, money and time as well. “Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs are people who have come alive” -- Howard Thurman

3.1 Affect from the causes This will affect the students in their stud y. They are not prepared and ready to face the life of a blend learning method student. The y are not willing to sacrifice their time and their freedom yet. As they are not read y, they can not able to score high marks in assignment, forum or examination. They know their aim but the y are not yet read y for it. This is the biggest mistake taking courses without making sure one is ready. Furthering study is not for anyone. Going for further stud y is for own self. If one have no interest in education, then it is advisable not to stud y again. One who cannot think and react out of the comfort zone will get nothing at the end. They don’t have interest in education. They onl y will get stress for not doing themselves. There are people who study because of their family. The y take up the course maybe because the entire member in the family are all educated except for a black ship son/daughter. This condition alwa ys occurs in a rich famil y.

3.2 How to overcome the problem Once should learn how to love themselves. Nowada ys, teenagers do not understand themselves. They do what people think and do. This is ridiculous, as people are different from each other. What they do may not suitable for us and what they think is not what we are thinking too. We have to understand ourselves. Understand our good and our bad, accept who and what we are. Then, we will love ourselves. We should love ourselves. If we don’t accept who and what we are, then we cannot love ourselves. OUM has counselor that will also help us in education and also problems in our life, no matter it is privacy or not. Counselors of OUM are professional, that all the students’ problem is private and confidential. Students should have confident with OUM counselors. The y will certainl y help students to overcome the problem with a good wa y and manners. Students can arrange a time to meet the counselors or making an appointment with them. The y are also willing to listen from students through telephones during office hours.

4.0

difficulties in understanding

Some of the student does not know what, when and how to do so. With the OUM self-learning and blend learning concept, student of OUM have to get their assignment by their own .Unlike a teacher, the y will tell the student their homework, assignment and revision classes. Some of the OUM’s students do not know they have assignments to complete and the assignments are not those projects that had done in the school time. In the SPM or STPM examination, most of the student can’t even complete 1200 words. Student with lack of experiences of OUM will get into their nerves when the y know that the y have to complete an assignment with at least 1500 words (5-6 pages). How will the y do that? For those in the small town or villages, language is the main problem of all. All the OUM’s subject except for Bahasa Mala ysia is conduct in English. Even in the OUM website, English language is use. How the condition will occur for those who cannot understand English? Lecturer will onl y discus with the student. They don’t have time to teach h the student ABC.

The same condition will happen to the student of OUM who are not good in using computers and technologies. OUM concept is blend-learning concept which is, students have classes with lectures, opportunity to meet the lecture for discussion and lastly, online learning. Online leaning will need the students to understand the technologies. They do not know how to download, enter or search for the website the y needed. This will cause a lot of problem for them in their studies. The y hardl y do anything if they do not know the technologies. This condition mostl y occurs for those who are in the middle age and seldom use computers. Even some of them do not know how to reply a sms. They do not know all the technologies and this may the most problem that the y fear of. IT world is too far a part from them. Unlike the generation now, the y use computers ever yday as entertainment, home work, chatting and business purpose. In the school, computer and internet is one of the compulsor y subjects so that student knows how to use the computer as computer is ver y important nowada ys.

4.1 affect This may affect their studies. It will reduce the marks of online learning which carries 5%. Although it is onl y 5%, it can change the grade of subject. 5% is only a small mark, but you will find it useful when you need them. Online learning will need the students to enter the forum for question, helping friends to overcome a problem and also discussion. Without computer, student may not enter the forum. Student cannot get 5% for online learning. Besides online learning, students also need the skill of computer to download assignments as well. Assignments will be given through internet in the Open University’s website b y Open University’s management in Kuala Lumpur. Assignment carries 35%. Without computer skill, student do not know how to download or worst still… they do not know how to print the assignment. Marks will be deducts daily for a late assignment Computer also needed to enter OUM’s digital library. It is so convenient for student for student rather than searching for a book in the librar y. Ending up a few hours in the librar y with just a book is not the wa y for working student. Digital library by OUM makes the life of working student easier but suffer for those who do not know how to use a computer

4.2 wa ys to overcome In OUM, a subject had been chosen as one of the compulsor y subject, Learning Skill For Student and Distance Learners (OUMH 1103). This subject had been a compulsor y subject since the year of 2003. It is to help those learners who are not use to computer. Student can read topic 2. There are 38 pages in the topic 2. After understand the content, student will be able to overcome this problem. Finally, student will find computer is just a piece of pancake. Student can also carr y out a computer class to improve themselves. Computer classes are available ever ywhere and it does not cost much. It will onl y cost Rm350-500 for a course depends to the place. They will be given a certificate when they pass the computer examinations. With the certificate, they can also get a job easil y. Most of the companies need workers with computer skill. Books are also the “lecturer” for us. Computers books are available in the bookstore. Computer book will not cost them much too. Computer books are available in any bookstore. It is not a problem for student to get them. Just grab one of the books now, read and understand it. Surel y it will not cause the “old” problem anymore.

Discussion is also important. Without a group of discussion, you cannot survive. Students need to complete assignment, covering 4-5 topics in 3-4 subjects within two weeks. It is ver y tired. Form a discussion group to help you. Four to five people is enough.

5.0

stress

Stress is also one of the factors that creates problem for working adults to learn in OUM. Stress is an emotionally disruptive or upsetting condition of mind which occurs in response to adverse external influences. Stress raises the level of adrenaline (a hormone & a neurotransmitter) and corticosterone (a 21 carbon steroid hormone) in the body, which leads to increase in the heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure and puts more physical stress on bodily organs. When some thing pleasant or unpleasant happens around you, which puts you in a state of strain or pressure, it is called stress. Financial is hardly solved b y those working people. For full time student, government will help them b y appl ying PTPN loan. Ya yasan is also helping them in financial problem. Now days, everything had change. The price of raw materials such as petrol, diesel, latex, oil and etc had increase more than 40%. This also affected the price of the goods and foods. Mala ysian had tried their best to save mone y b y taking public transportations, sharing transport, reduce food intake, using motorcycle instead of car and taking vegetables and fruits instead of meat and fish. Government also encourages them to reduce meat intake. Take more local fruits and vegetables. The government has made their best effort b y promoting Malaysian’s fruits, animal and also vegetable in Serdang recently.

For OUM working adults, it is a ver y hard life for them to go through especially for those who are having their own famil y. Nowadays, crimes are all around. Sadly, crimes happen to most to of children and being done by teenager. It believes that these teenagers come from a broken family. Drug addict taken by the teenager are also comes from a rich family. Parents are too busy with their works, activities, lack of famil y attention and love causes these crime activities happen. Not enough with children, they need to take care of the old people if the y are still around. Old people need a full attention too. Old people have lower stamina compare to adults. Their bod y is no longer strong. Stroke, diabetic, high blood pressure, cancer are so common. They are ver y sensitive with food, temperature and etc. That is wh y the y need special care. Do the best you can to your love one, you will never regret at the end to the da y.

5.1 affection from above (stress) The affect cause by stress might be in positive ( Eustress) or negative ( Distress) wa y. Both may not necessaril y occur due to positive and negative events compulsoril y. The reason being, the distinction between good or bad depends upon the perception of an individual. The various types of stress can also be further categorized.Stress functions at three stages namel y: Alarm stage Resistance stage Exhaustion stage The level at which you are defines the further coarse of action. Stress can directly or indirectly lead to development of physiological or psychological disorders. Long-term stress can play as a contributing factor in heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, enlargement of the adrenal glands and other illnesses. To know stress better we first need to identify the stressors. The y are both external and internal. The identification is necessary to decide the kind of treatment required by one. Eustress is healthy for you. It keeps you excited about life. It is basically a desirable form of stress which is healthful and gives a feeling of contentment.

Some of the examples of Eustress are: A) Thrill experienced while watching a horror movie B) Excitement of winning a race C) Accomplishing a challenge D) Jo y experienced on a roller-coaster ride E) Happiness felt on the birth of a bab y F) Excitement while getting wedded It is often known as curative and pleasant stress which is very important for a person to generate maximum performance and output. Sometimes we don't want to get away from stress because it is actuall y Eustress. Distress is also referred to as anxiety, severe strain or mental suffering resulting from exhaustion or an accident. It must be noted that what may cause distress to one person may cause Eustress to the other. Some of the events that lead to distress are: A) Death of near-ones B) Too much workload C) Discontent in relationships D) Financial tension E) Unfulfilled desires

Stress should never be allowed to turn into distress, as distress causes you more harm than stress. For example, when a businessman fails in his business, he will recall what he had done. He will find out where is the mistake and he will not repeat his mistake an ymore. He will remember the lesson so he will not repeat the same mistake again. Then, after a gap of time, he will turn a new leaf. This is a positive thinking. He fail but he dare to fail. He starts a new life and struggle from the beginning to achieve a higher level. For another situation, the businessman fails and he thinks that he is useless and hopeless. He can not change his thinking to a better wa y and have fear to face the society and life. He will end up commit suicide. This situation happen the most in Mala ysia. Beside that, thinking negatively may cause somebod y become crazy. It is because the y start living in the world of the dream and these types of people cannot go back to the reality life. They will also do something out of control. Britne y Spears is one of the examples.

5.2 How to overcome stress problem. In overcoming stress problem, exercise is very helpful. Exercise can refresh our body and prepare our body for a better tomorrow. Exercise ever yday for 30 minutes can help you to reduce stress. Take off work earl y and go walking or to go to a park for an hour or so. We never realize how much we are really stressed out, until we break out of our regular schedule and do something relaxing. Even if you love your work or family, slightl y var ying your routine with something relaxing will greatl y reduce stress. Cycling, swimming (one of the best sports) and badminton are the example of exercising. Sleep. It is estimated that a typical adult needs an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. However, a lot of us function with a lot less hours of sleep, yet this is one of the fundamental foundations of stress. Getting not enough sleep, makes people much more stressed out even for the most trivial activities. So, take a nap and sleep more. Sleep can also make our body relax after thinking and facing those problem which some can be solve and some do not easy to overcome. Sleep before 10pm and wake up before 7 am is the best time for our bod y.

Your diet can affect stress. A health y diet allo ws the bod y and m ind to cope wi th stress better. Additionall y, decreasing stimulants , such as caffeine and sugar, has been pro ven reduce stress too. So when we are stressed out, a void junk food and eat health y foods. The foods that we were taught are “com fort foods” are actuall y quite the opposite. Eat more health y food such as vegetables and fruits. Eat less oil y food, fast food and meat. It is possible for those who are ver y bus y to ha ve health y food. I would ad vise them to cut the carrot and vegetables in slice and boil them . Keep them in the fridge.

B y the statem ent abo ve, we finall y kno w that it is not easy to be e-learners. We m a y face varies barriers just to get a certificate. We ma y face stress in most of the time, misunderstanding or not understand at all makes thing difficult and lack of preparation are the three m ain problem happen am ong working adults. We ha ve to sacrifice our tim e, famil y and friends as well. Moti vation follo ws b y good attitude is the ke y of success. Think positi vel y can help us cope wi th stress problem . Identify the problem yo u face and which t ypes of stress are you in. rela x, and then look for a solutions. You are not alone. Besides friends and fam il y, consolers are willing to help student. Arrange a tim e to m eet them up. Understanding is important. Tr y to understand wha t you are doing. Asking friends, our senior and lecturer ma y help yo u to o vercom e the problem . Prepare ourselves for a higher education earl y. Understand the important of education. There is a Mandarin sentence sa ying ‘people learning until he/she die’. One has to learn from a level to a level following their age. Old people are useless but the y ha ve the m ost experiences, skills and kno w ledges. It is because the y learn the m ost. Old is gold. Without preparation, yo u are doing som ething that is not yo urself. Being yo u is one of the wa ys lo ving you rself.

REFENCES

The Impact of e-learning:

"Over 1.9 million students were studying online in the fall of 2003."

"The expected average growth rate for online students for 2004 is 24.8%, up from 19.8% in 2003."

Entering the Mainstream - The Sloan Consortium, Oct 2004 http://www.sloan-c.org/resources/survey.asp

The Impact of E-Learning on a University Campus http://www.maple.ubc.ca/research/impact_project.html

Ferl - Impact of e-learning on Learner Participation http://ferl.becta.org.uk/display.cfm?resID=8242& page=633&catID=644&printable=1 http://www.aboutstressmanagement.com/stressrelief/

How To Assess the Advantages and Disadvantages of Distance Learning By Heather Scoville

1. Advantage: You can work at your own pace. While there are deadlines and due dates just as at a traditional campus based school, there is simply more flexibility with an online program. You can check into your class when you have time and complete assignments around other commitments. Disadvantage: You have to be disciplined and organized. Being a self-starter is definitely a plus. Most of the learning will be done through readings and discussion postings on a message board. If you need interaction or more one-on-one time to succeed, you may want to stick with a traditional degree program. 2. Advantage: Online degrees today are not worthless. You will have to work just as hard at an online school as you would if you were going to class at a traditional school. Most of the programs advertised on the internet are fully accredited and make your degree the "real thing".

Disadvantage: Employers do not always know this.

Unfortunately, there is still a stigma in some careers about online degrees. Some employers recognize the name of mostly online schools and will consider you to be less qualified. This is an unfortunate, but true fact. 3. Advantage: Degree programs online are usually accelerated. Most online programs go year round and therefore you will get your diploma faster than you might at a traditional school. Classes typically go from 4-8 weeks, and normally you only take one class at a time. You still earn just as many semester hour credits as a traditional school, but it helps you get done faster. Disadvantage: Accelerated programs mean the same amount of material in a shorter amount of time. Those 4-8 week classes would normally last a semester or longer at a traditional school. In order to get all of the required information into that time frame, it means you will need to work and understand at a faster pace. Some students cannot keep up with this type of system. Procrastination is not possible in most cases.

4. Advantage: You can "go to class" whenever and wherever you have time.

There are usually no scheduled times to be in class, so you can do your discussion postings and work any time of the day or night. This flexibility will allow you to keep your full time job and still be a student full time. Disadvantage: Your free time could diminish. You may find yourself spending close to 20 hours a week online to finish projects or post discussions. If you do keep a full time job, this time will come out of family time or recreation time you have now. Take the time to really research this idea and see if it is the right thing for you. Assess your learning style and motivation to make sure it is compatible with online education. Traditional schools are often a better choice for people, but online degree programs can be an equally good option if they fit your style and schedule.