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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