Top Tips For Online Learning
Completing an online course offers you a great deal of flexibility regarding where and when you do coursework. However, this flexibility also means you need to take additional steps to become successful. You have to be more proactive in creating the structure naturally provided in face-to-face courses. Below are seven top tips to help you stay successful when you are completing online courses.
Tip #1: Having Good Expectations
Contrary to popular belief, online courses are not "blow-off" classes. The online courses provide the learner with similar academic rigor as compared to their face-to-face counterparts. Moreover, the majority of online classes offer a full semester's worth of content, but it is offered in half the time of a face-to-face class; thereby, increasing the speed of the course. When approaching an online course, it is important to keep this in mind so you do not have certain expectations and fall behind in your coursework.
Tip #2: Establishing A Good Workspace
In face-to-face classes, you can split your time between the classroom and a place outside of the classroom to complete assignments and study. However, online courses require you to spend all of your time outside of the classroom. Based on this fact, it is even more significant to find a good position to do your coursework. It is recommended that you locate a quiet place with a good internet connection, access to power, and freedom from all distractions. This would, ideally, be a position you can visit routinely throughout the course, and that when you are there you will understand that it is time to work on your online coursework.
Tip #3: Understand Your Resources
It is important that you learn about the online course resources as soon as possible and master them, including the websites, course technologies, and campus resources required. It is crucial that the computer you are using works well, has all necessary software installed, and has a browser that is updated accordingly according to this tutor website. If the course requires specific tools, it is important to test the tools beforehand and ensure they work on your system; thereby, allowing you to focus on the course materials and not be distracted by technological issues. It can also be beneficial to focus on how the University library operates and how it can help you as an online learner.
Tip #4: Remain Organized
As with any other type of course, but particularly online courses, it is vital that you remain organized. Organize all of the course files in a way that method that makes sense to you. It is also advised that you retain copies of all assignments you submit in the event that technological problems require you to re-submit the item. Do not forget to take notes during readings or watching online lectures, just as you would in any face-to-face classes.
Tip #5: Manage Time Correctly
One aspect of remaining organized is so significant that it deserves its own section as being a strong time management skill. Online courses will offer a degree of flexibility regarding when you complete your studying, but this does not mean you don't need to study! As you might attend a face-to-face lecture on a weekly basis, you need to schedule enough time in your personal calendar to study the online material provided in your online course and complete the different assignments. Treat these blocks of learning time as you would a regular face-to-face class, letting your family and friends know you are unavailable during the timeframe and using your workspace during the time. It is important that you keep an eye on the assignment deadlines as well and add them to your personal schedule.
Tip #6: Meeting Your Peers And Instructor
While you may be the only individual sitting in front of your computer, you are not alone on your course. Similar to you, other people are experiencing the online lecture meaning that you can interact with peers and instructors, and this can be highly beneficial in improve your experience in the course. The majority of online courses include icebreaker activities to help you get to know the online classmates, particularly if the online course lacks this aspect. It is recommended that you go out of your way to introduce yourself to the others. Your peers and lecturers are people you will work with throughout the course; therefore, it helps to build strong relationships instead of saying 'hi' and retreating into seclusion.
Tip #7: Seek Help If Needed
An online learning space does not need to be one of isolation. When a lecturer does not see your body in class, they are there to help you via the internet. In fact, many students report instructors as being equally available via email or telephone as they are in face-to-face courses.
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