How to be a Successful

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How to be a Successful Online Learner
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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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Tips

• 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

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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/onlineLea
  rning/StudentProfile.asp

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Additional Resources

• Another set of search terms that can be used
  isonline 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