(c) Dr. Barbara K. McKenzie 1

How to be a Successful

“Online Learner”

(c) Dr. Barbara K. McKenzie 2

Online Learning• Online learning provides

– Easy access to course information– Flexibility in learning

• Learning can take place any time from any location provided you have a computer and Internet access

– Timely and up-to-date information– Timely feedback from your instructor

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Challenges• Students must be aware of how

to effectively work in an online teaching/ learning format– This is different from face-to-

face instruction and techniques used in that format

• Students use different techniques to be successful

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Challenges

• Online learning takes work– This teaching/learning format does not

take less time and energy• You must access course information and

participate weekly– Do not procrastinate!!

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Tips• Students must take

MORE responsibility for their own learning– Instructors serve

predominately as facilitators in many online courses

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Tips

• Participate– Interact with your instructor– Access the course information

each week• If you delay…. you increase

your likelihood for NOT completing the course and running out of time

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Tips• Review your course outline

– Become familiar with • What is expected in the

course• When to turn assignments in• Where to turn assignment in• How to submit assignments

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Tips• When you have problems

seek assistance immediately– Contact your instructor

• By e-mail and/or phone– Contact tech support online

• By e-mail and/or phone

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Tips

• Schedule time each week to work online

• Establish a regular schedule to work on assignments

• E.g., every Saturday afternoon, early in the morning, after work

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• Maintain contact with your instructor throughout the course– Inform him/her of your

progress and/or any problems you may be experiencing

– Realize that you are not alone and that you have assistance when needed

Tips

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Tips• Establish a place to study

and complete your work – Try to avoid any type of

interruptions if possible (e.g., phone)

• Remember online learning takes commitment–It is NOT an easier

learning format

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Tips• Make sure that you have a computer with

the appropriate hardware & software to access the course and complete the class– You need the following:

• MS Office• 486/66 (minimum) PC with 16 MB of RAM • 28.8 modem or better• Internet service provider (i.e., Bell South)• Internet Explorer

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Tips• Make sure you have the

minimum computer skills necessary to be successful in an online course– You must know how to

• Use basic computer software • Upload & download files• E-mail

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Tips• Realize you are communicating

predominantly through writing– Think before you write

• The online environment is flat• Oftentimes information can be

misunderstood or poorly communicated

– Try to be positive in responding to others

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Additional Resources • If you are interested in learning more about

online learning conduct an Internet search using your favorite search engine such as http://google.com – type in the following terms: “successful online

student” • Using those terms your instructor found the

below URL– What makes a successful online student?

• http://www.ion.illinois.edu/IONresources/onlineLearning/StudentProfile.asp

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Additional Resources – Another set of search terms that

can be used is…“online student tutorial”• This located a wider variety of

additional tutorials on the subject you may be interested in reviewing

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Credits

• Clip art is from– Microsoft Office Online– Microsoft Office

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If you have comments or questions please

contact your instructor