Students must be able to access the Internet and in many cases, certain types of software programs to complete assignments for online courses. As Keith Tyler-Smith points out in his article in the "Journal of Online Learning and Technology", students participating in online courses must master the course material in addition to the technology required to access it. The cost of technology can also be problematic for students who wish to learn online. Home Internet access typically requires a monthly fee, and the student must have a computer along with necessary hardware to access the Internet. Many courses also require word processing and other specialty software to view and submit assignments.
The preferred learning style for a student and the information delivery style of a course can affect the student's success in the online learning environment. Students who learn best through reading or visually observing information can do well in an online course that relies heavily on text and graphic distribution. Students who learn more effectively through auditory or kinesthetic means may encounter difficulty comprehending material delivered over the Internet if the professor does not make an effort to incorporate a variety of learning styles into the experience.
A study by Lin Muilenburg and Zane Berge at the University of South Alabama found that online students experience difficulty becoming or staying motivated to learn. Online students may also suffer distractions in the learning environment related to a lack of support or understanding from family and friends, environmental factors such as noise, and a fear that coursework will disrupt family life. Students taking an online course may find it easy to be distracted by Web sites, computer games, cell phones and other types of technology within close reach of the computer.
Perhaps one of the most difficult obstacles to learning for social and extroverted students is the decreased interaction with peers and instructors in an online environment. Though online courses might offer communication through message boards, conference calls and emails, students may find it more difficult to establish relationships and feel a personal connection to the courses they take.