Taking an online course is very different than taking a traditional face-to-face course and not all students are prepared to be successful in the online environment. Review the following information to be successful in an online course at Idaho State University (ISU):
Recognize that online courses are NOT any easier than face-to-face classes, and in fact may be harder for some students.
Read over all of the introductory materials and contact the instructor immediately if you have any questions.
Assume an active role in the learning process; whether you are working alone, or in a group. Be open to contributing your ideas and perspective and be willing to comment on the subject you are studying. Also take an interest in what your classmates are saying and be willing to provide feedback to them and share ideas.
Log on to your course every single day, or a minimum of 5-6 days a week. It is very easy to get behind quickly, so stay active in the course.
Manage your time carefully. Schedule at least 2-3 hours per credit each week to work on your course and stick to your schedule. Certain courses may require more time!
Do not procrastinate; follow the course schedule assigned by your instructor. If you need an external source to motivate you to do class work, then consider taking face-to-face classes instead.
Locate resources to assist you in being successful in an online course, such as the Online Writing Lab, the Library article databases, or the Content Area Tutoring Center. Check out ISU's Student Success Center for these and other resources.
Set aside a private space where you can study where you can work without interruptions.
Make sure that you have the appropriate software and plug-ins necessary for the course. You will, for example, need the Firefox web browser to effectively utilize ISU Moodle-based courses. Moodle is the learning management system used by ISU.
If you are unsure of your computer skills, develop them! See the additional skills resources below to improve your basic computer skills, learn the Firefox web browser, discover Moodle ISU, and learn other useful tools used at ISU.
In addition to the technology you will need, it is important to consider other skills that will help you be successful in an online course environment. You will be successful if you have strong skills in the following areas:
Develop study goals
Motivate yourself consistently to complete tasks
A determination to succeed using all the learning supports provided
Apply previous knowledge and experience to solve problems and progress
Make optimal use of learning strategies for effective study
Monitor the learning process and adapt strategies as needed
Develop collaborative relationships with faculty and other students
Create networks of communication and support including faculty and other students
Initiate study groups and seek out other support for study
Enjoy learning
Recognize the role of a student as an active participant
Believe you can succeed
Manage resources effectively - including time, information, media, and technology
Manage behaviors and habits for effective learning
Use effective time management to meet requirements and deadlines
You should be comfortable using your computer online. In addition, you should at least have the following skills:
Communicate via email including sending attachments
Be comfortable uploading and downloading saved files
Use of basic software applications such as Microsoft Word and PowerPoint
Ability to navigate the Internet using a browser
Ability to install software
Ability to update your browser
Ability to install updates to software and browser plugins
Computers
Internet
Online Readiness Self-Assessment
Idaho State University
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Is Distance Learning Right for You?
Is Online Learning Right for You?
Is Online Learning Right for You? (eLearning Industry)
How to take Online Distance Education Classes
What Kind of Computer/Software Will I Need to Take Online Classes?
Key Differences Between Online Learning and Traditional Campus-Based Classes
This work was created by the Idaho State University Instructional Technology Resource Center and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License