Saturday, September 1, 2012
Tips for Succeeding in an Online Class
I've taken about 10 online courses throughout my academic history now and I can honestly say that each one was a completely different experience. So, when we were asked to suggest tips for succeeding in an online course I knew it would be a tough question to answer. After some deliberation, I've narrowed it down to two primary tips that I think are necessary in any online course.
The first would be to stay organized. Without a teacher directly in front of you or classmates you "talk story" with on a regular basis, it is a little more challenging to keep track of assignments and deadlines. Being organized is especially beneficial when you are taking more than one course and you have to juggle the different requirements for each class. I'm currently using the Google calendar system. I like that I can see my calendar by month, week or day and that I am able to add events or tasks which I can check off once I've competed them.
Secondly, I would encourage getting into the habit of going online daily and if possible a few times per day. Even when I think I've completed all my assignments sometimes I log on to my different course sites and realize I missed something or someone answered a question I posed a few days ago. Staying connected is crucial to success and I find the more I engage by logging in, the more I learn and benefit from a course.
As an instructor, I try to stay mindful of what helps me succeed as a student. Knowing that organization is key, I give my students multiple formats that show course requirements and deadlines. I post a calendar to our course site, I print a copy for each student in the syllabus and I email it to them. I know that students organize themselves differently and I want to try and accommodate as many different organization styles as possible to ensure student success. I also encourage the students in the first day of class and in the syllabus to make sure that they log on to their email frequently and check the course site daily.
Instructors need to stay flexible when developing courses and always remain open to student feedback. I've found that as I spend more time as a student I become a better instructor.
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Hi Kelley,
ReplyDeleteIt is so true that organization and access to the internet on a daily basis are important tips for online learning success. I also keep lists going of current and upcoming assignments or imprortant dates to keep myself on track. I think it is also important that students be flexible their timelines for assignments because life happens sometimes and they have to be able to adjust quickly.
I hope to be in your shoes one day and instruct classes, so I appreciate the tip to keep the students in mind and to be aware of their needs. I have also done more than most when it comes to online classes and have sometimes felt like the professor did not value or recognize that many of us (students) were working professionals with families when they created their calendars and schedules. If given the opportunity to instruct, I feel my own distance learning experiences and this cohort will make me better able to facilitate an online class effectively.
Thanks, Berna