Motivated, Independent, Self-directed, and able to navigate the web.
"A successful online student can be of any age, gender, ethnicity and willing to learn."
What makes a successful online student?
Online courses are not the same as a traditional, on-campus course. The way the material is presented, the interaction between instructor and student and between classmates, and the overall learning experience can be difficult to get used to, but taking an online course can be a very rewarding experience. Online courses are not for everyone. Even if you are an excellent student you may find that your learning style in not compatible with the online environment. We have found that there are several areas in which an online student differs from a traditional student.
Self-Discipline and Motivation
Unlike traditional courses where the students sit in a classroom and listen to a lecture several times a week, most of the communication in an online course is asynchronous, meaning that class members participate in the course and complete their assignments at different times of the day and week.
The successful online student:
- has a direction. They have set a goal for themselves and understand how completion of their online course helps them to meet that goal.
- has dedicated themselves to putting in the time and effort necessary for class communications and homework and to see it through to the end. This includes having the necessary resources on hand such as a computer that is available when you need it.
- is self-disciplined. They will adjust their schedule, regularly check assignments, do their homework, and turn it in on time.
- has the ability to focus. They have taken the steps to minimize distractions during both homework and online sessions. This may require carving out a work space at home, preferrably with a door you can close.
- asks questions and stays in communication with his/her instructor and fellow students.
Top of Page Time Management/Time Commitment
Online courses require just as much (if not more) time and commitment as do traditional courses. Completing course assignments and other learning activities can take many hours per week. You may find that you need to be online every day or almost every day. Before registering for an online course, make sure you set aside time to "go to class."
The successful online student:
- has a regular schedule for both online and homework time. Making this schedule clear to others in the household also helps to minimize interruptions. This includes delegating some of the responsibilities of the household to other members as well during that time.
- schedules the necessary resources for when they need it. This includes scheduling time for a shared computer, inter-library loans, etc. If available computer time is scarce, borrowing or purchasing a 2nd computer may be required.
- keeps a calendar of scheduled due dates and activities.
- sets an earlier due date for their portion of a collaborative project so other members of the project can review his/her work before the entire project is submitted.
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The 3 R's -- Read, read, and read some more
The challenge for many online students isn't finding the time to go online to "go to class", it's finding the time and the energy to do all the reading. While some of the online courses have online video lectures, all of them require reading and lots of it.
The successful online student:
- incorporates reading time into their schedule.
- devises a plan to maximize their comprehension of the materials. This may include taking notes while reading, or taking the chapter test before and after the reading session, etc.
- has the ability to understand and grasp concepts through reading.
- is willing to search for additional materials to assist them in their understanding of the subject when needed.
- has adequate reading speed or is willing to do what is necessary to increase it.
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Communication/Writing Skills
In online courses nearly all communication is written, so it is important that you feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing. Many instructors will grade on grammar and spelling as much as content. If this is a weak area, you might want to brush up or make sure you spell/grammar check before submitting assignments (do not rely upon your wordprocessor to do this for you).
The successful online student:
- keeps in touch with his/her instructor and fellow students. This includes keeping fellow project members informed of their progress on their part of the assignment.
- logs in daily to check assignments, communications, and schedule changes.
- is able to write in a straight forward, cohesive manner.
- is able to follow written instructions.
- is not afraid to ask questions and help answer questions.
- is respectful of the instructor and fellow students.
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Contact your instructor
If you are having problems with your course content or the technology fails, you need to let your instructor know as soon as possible. The instructors and the Instructional Technology Department are willing to work with you, but we can't if we don't know what is wrong.
A successful online student:
- is not afraid to ask for help when they encounter a problem.
- is comfortable using chat, email, and message boards for communications.
- asks for clarification from the instructor in a timely manner which would allow them to complete the assignment on time.
- responds to the instructor in a timely manner when a response is expected.
- follows up on a question if no response has been made after allowing adequate time
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Will you miss the classroom setting?
The interaction in online courses may be very high. Many courses use Chat, online discussions, and encourage e-mail between students and between students and instructors. However, for some students, nothing compares with the face-to-face interaction that takes place in the classroom. Some online students really miss having the chance to see and listen to their instructors and classmates. If you really love the classroom setting, online courses may not be right for you.
The successful online student:
- enjoys working independently.
- takes responsibility for their own learning.
- easily participates in asychronous discussions (threaded online discussions that happen over a period of time). Communication through written means can be quite different than oral communication.
- does not need repeated reminders from the instructor.
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An online course is, well, Online! You have to use a computer!
The personal computer is the primary learning and communication tool in most online courses. You don't need to be a geek or guru to succeed, but you do have to be able to use a computer. Having a computer and internet access at home is preferred by most students, but many use the computer labs on campus to access their online courses. You also need to have some basic computer skills, such as word processing and using a web browser (like Firefox, Netscape, or Internet Explorer).
The successful online student:
- knows how to use their computer, such as finding files, using installed software, browsing the internet, using email, sending attachments, etc.
- has dependable internet access (preferably DSL or cable access)
- has an email account that is easy for them to use.
- understands how to copy and paste URLs into chat lines, message boards, and emails.
- is capable of understanding how to submit homework electronically.
- understands how to use the electronic resources available from the campus such as databases of journals and periodicals through the library.
So, an online course is not easy. There are many things to consider when deciding whether or not to sign up for an online course. It comes down to you knowing yourself and whether or not your learning style and life style fit with online course requirements. If you have the right qualities and/or are willing to invest in yourself as an online learner, you will probably find the online environment to be a very convenient and rewarding alternative to traditional classroom learning.
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Here are some more things that are worth mentioning:
- Turn in assignments before the due date. Technology can fail at the last minute and that's no excuse for not getting the assignment turned in on time.
- When you first log in, introduce yourself to your instructor and other classmates. And encourage them to do the same.
- Keep up the pace! If you get behind, it is extremely difficult to catch up.
- All the materials are at your fingertips, so use them, and review, review, review.
- Check in often with your fellow students. They may be running into the same issues as you. The more you communicate, the more you feel like part of a team.
- Ask your instructor and fellow students for ideas if you are having problems scheduling time for class.
- Know your netiquette (no caps, no chat room speak, etc.) Online classes should be treated just like on-campus classes.
- Always have a backup plan.
- Dedicated to getting the degree.
- Make sure your household understands and can work with your schedule. The time you spend on class affects them, too.
- Think before you type. One advantage to using chat, message boards, and email is that you have time to think through just what you want to say and keep it concise. Don't say something you'll regret later. There's no excuse.
- The number one killer of online students is - Procrastination.
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