Being an Online Student
Online learning is not just a substitute for traditional face-to-face instruction, but in fact a whole different experience. What really is online learning? Studies can take place anywhere as long as you, the learner, have access to a computer connected to the Internet. The computer is your classroom. Learning happens at your own pace and time, respecting the given deadlines. Most online learning consists of a combination of course content published on the Web, student-teacher, or student-student interaction through communication tools (email, discussion forums, or chat rooms) or group work, student activities (supplementary readings, assignments, quizzes or tests. An instructor’s role is to guide you through the course, respond to your emails, facilitate an online discussion, provide support, and evaluate your progress. |
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FUN! FUN!
Is online learning for me?
Is online learning for me? – asking again
Is online learning for me? – and again!
Netiquette quiz |
Most courses will have timelines with a fair amount of flexibility built into them. There is more responsibility on you to set and maintain your own pace through the course.
Study Space
A comfortable and efficient study space is important to online learning. Your computer and study space becomes your physical classroom, along with the virtual classroom out there in cyberspace.
If you are studying at home, it is important to have a good chair and desk to work at, along with a properly functioning screen and good lighting. It is hard to concentrate when you are squinting at a poorly adjusted screen with sunlight glaring off it, while teetering in an unstable chair and reading course materials off the floor beside your desk...
If you are studying at work you similarly need to have a proper workstation set up along with a place to store your course materials between study sessions. Plan for this before the course and you will be ready when you sign on. If you are using other workspaces such as a learning centre, library or another community resource, sort out your bookings in advance to ensure you have access when you need it.
Control your environment to your best advantage.
Time Management
In the experience of many who have conducted online learning courses, time management is essential to completing a course successfully. Some things to aim for:
- Plan for the course and consider when you will have free time for study
- Place those study times in your personal or work calendar
- Let those around you (family, friends, co-workers) know that you need those times for study
- Avoid areas that have distractions (TV, phone, busy areas at work)
If you work or prefer to study during the evenings or weekends, you can set your own schedule. This makes online learning useful for those who work irregular hours, and have other commitments that make it difficult to attend classes during regular daytime hours.
Participation
Participation is essential for everyone involved. To fully realize the benefits of your learning experience, don’t sit passively reading only what other people contribute. Get involved in the class. Participate in the discussions and group-work. You are free to express your personality and ideas as an equal participant in the course. Commit to doing all the work regardless of whether it is submitted for grading or not. Completing the work will improve your grades. Don't hesitate to contact your instructor, tutor or whomever else has been designated as your contact. They're there to assist you! Try to log on frequently. This keeps you up to date with the latest messages and other information. If you encounter difficulty, email or phone your advisor or instructor
Sharing Experiences and Learning from Others
All adult learners have a wealth of experience and knowledge from which they can draw. You will find that contributions based on your own experience will be welcome. At the same time, be prepared to have your experiences discussed and interpreted in different ways--that is the power of learning collaboratively. It forces us to stretch our minds in new ways.
Respect
Read the profiles posted by your classmates. Understand that you may be participating in class with learners from many countries, cultures, or backgrounds. Not everyone will understand references to TV, movies, pop culture, or current events in your country. If you must use this type of reference, please explain it. Don’t assume that everyone will understand geographical or political references that are local or national. Treat your peers with respect.
Communication
E-mail
Unlike telephone or a face-to-face conversation, e-mail does not provide instant feedback. Although computer technologies do set us up with higher expectations for response times, it is important to remember that there is a person at the other end of your e-mail. They’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
Discussion area
Discussion message is different from sending an email. Whatever you post in the discussion area will be read by the whole class. Use email for individual communication.
Make sure you read the instructions posted in the course. Your instructor may wish you to use a discussion forum for a specific purpose, or establish other guidelines for use. If you are constantly posting to the wrong forum, or are not following the purpose of the discussion, you will start to get on the nerves of the other members of the class. Knowing how the technology works is also critical. Don’t waste everyone’s time. Learn the technology, read the instructions, think before you post. Your contributions may be for marks.
Do not "flame" other members of the class. Remember that online exchanges are meant to remain constructive. Treat others as you would want them to treat you.
Keep your questions and comments relevant to the focus of the discussion forum and make sure that you are posting to the right forum. If another person posts a comment or question that is off the subject do not reply. A reply will keep the off-subject conversation going.
Language
It will pay to work on your writing skills. These are particularly important in online learning, as in most cases the only impressions of you people will receive is by your writing. If you have difficulty with writing clear English, you may wish to see what resources are available in your community, possibly through a community college or other continuing education program.
Take time to check your grammar, punctuation, and spelling. Poorly written messages are not only hard to read (and therefore might not be read), but also open the door to misinterpretation. Take time to proofread what you wrote. If you find spelling and grammar difficult, compose your message in a word processing application that has spelling and grammar checking. Then, cut and paste your composition into e-mail or WebCT.
Have someone read your materials before submission. One idea could be a "buddy system"--find someone else in your home, work group or study group who might be willing to look over your written work and suggest improvements in the language.
Formality in communication has a tendency to be lost in the fast-paced virtual world of e-mail. This is fine if you are dropping a note to a friend, but if you are asking for a raise, making a business proposal, or stating your case for a higher mark, try to use the appropriate "voice" when drafting your message. In the case of important correspondence, it is always a good idea to save your draft and come back to it the next day. It is amazing how different a note reads the next day. You may find yourself saying, "I can’t believe I was going to say that!"
Abbreviations are fine, if everyone reading your message speaks the language. Try to limit your shorthand to commonly used abbreviations or standards used in your industry. Saving typing time won’t accomplish anything if people can’t understand what you wrote.
Using UPPER CASE text in an e-mail or discussion posting is the same as yelling at someone. YELLING is rude and accomplishes nothing constructive when talking face to face. It will accomplish even less online. Direct and vigorous discussions should be welcome in any online course, and in fact contribute to the learning experience. However, vindictive, sarcastic or other types of negative communication come across poorly in online communications and may lead to an equally hostile reaction from other participants. Fortunately, an apology or clarification is usually enough to clear the air and restore a positive climate if a harsh word was inadvertently or incautiously spoken.
Success guaranteed!
To be successful online student, you need to:
- Be focused
- Be organized
- Be self-directed
- Use your time wisely
- Take responsibility for your learning
- Be willing to work and participate
- Communicate effectively
The most important thing to remember is that online learning requires motivation and effort on your part. As with most things in life, the value derived from it is directly proportional to the effort you put into it!
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