Secrets to success in an elearning course
Adapted from: E-Learner Survival Guide: Nash, S. (2009) http://zenzebra.net/elearner-survival-guide.pdf
It is amazing how few online course providers, colleges and universities provide a simple checklist of things that you should do to maximize the possibilities of your success in an online course or program.
Even though you have completed your online course orientation, and have read all the material your provider has given you on online courses, you may still have a few questions about the way things work.
You are open–minded and willing to give the online courses a change because they are convenient, affordable and just what you need. Nevertheless, you are nervous. What are you supposed to do? How will you do it? Will you figure out the way it works before it is too late in the semester?
You are not alone.
Everyone who has taken a course has the same questions. Although each program and school is different, there are a few tips and pointers that will help you get started, keep on track and feel good about your course, your program, your fellow students, your instructor and, most of all, your educational plans and your future.
Here is a list of activities and pointers for being successful with your online course.
1. Log in Early. Find out what your username and password will be, and where to find the portal or access point to your course. After you log in for the first time, be sure to review the entire course at least two or three times. Click on all the links and go to all the pages. Then, do it again. You will be happy you did. You will feel more comfortable and confident.
2. Know the Mechanics of the Course—How Does It Work? Chances are your course will be hosted on one of the most popular course or learning management systems, in our case Moodle. This is the open–source learning management system preferred by many providrs.
3. Introduce Yourself Early. It is a great idea to introduce yourself as early as you can in the discussion board area. If your course allows you to create a homepage or to post photos of your pets, your interests and landscapes from your vacation, please be sure to do so. You will be amazed at how friendly the space becomes, and how close and bonded you start to feel with your fellow students.
4. Check in Often. Some people think that checking in once every few days is sufficient. Not a good idea! You may miss an important announcement and, more importantly, you may start to feel isolated. If you check in often, read the discussion posts and announcements, you will feel a part of the group.
5. Required Work—Familiarize Yourself Early. As you go through the course create a little timetable for yourself and map out your own travel, work, family and other time–eating obligations. Budget time for work, study and posting.
6. Find out Expectations. What does your facilitator expect? Are deadlines rigid? Will the drop box shut off at 11:59 PM on the day things are due? Find out early, and work in a pro–active manner. Adjust yourself to the requirements of the course.
7. Due Dates—Use Them for Planning and Goal Setting. Once you have mapped out your requirements and matched them with schedules, you can set out timelines, milestones and “to do” lists. This will help you set goals. You will be amazed at how comfortable you feel with things once you have started to hit those milestones, one after another. You will feel confident. You will start feeling what educational psychologists call a strong sense of “self–efficacy.” Great job!
8. Keep Up With Readings. Nothing is worse than falling behind. One of the easiest ways to get in a trap is to fall behind in the readings, and then try to do the work without actually reading the assignments. Not only will you have nothing relevant to say in the discussion board threads that have to do with the reading, you will be bored when you read others. So, keep up and keep involved.
9. Practice “Active Reading”. A great way to motivate your-self to do the readings is to perfect your own style of “active reading.” What is active reading? It is a way that you read and think so that you are creating categories in your mind, and you are relating the reading to your own experiences, prior readings and the beliefs you have developed. As you read, think of what you will have to write for your course. Do not be afraid to start jotting down notes or outlines for papers or short essay questions.
10. Pay Attention to Announcements. It is easy to overlook them. However, the facilitator has posted them for a reason. Be sure to read them and to follow any links or suggested readings.
11. Inform Your Facilitator Ahead of Time of Problems. Will you be deployed? Will you need to travel for work? Do you have a vacation planned? Let your facilitator know ahead of time. Then, if you can, try to work ahead.
12. Turn in Work Ahead of Time. Rather than begging for extensions, take the pro–active route and turn in work ahead of time. Do not expect instant turnaround, though. The facilitator may need to grade your work with the others at the actual due date. Be patient and flexible.
13. Post Early and Often in the Discussion Board. The more you post, the more comfortable you will feel with your fellow students. You will learn a lot from each other. Be sure to be willing to respond to questions and demonstrate a helpful, supportive and upbeat attitude. You will be amazed at how you will feel. You will start to develop a good, solid sense of affiliation and belonging.
14. Fellow Students and Peer Review—Very Valuable. One of the most engaging and interesting aspects of online courses is the fact that you will really have a chance to see the work of others, and to review, respond and learn from each other. Share ideas, but be sure to keep a thick skin. Sometimes people think they are being humorous when they are not.
15. Know Where to Turn if You Need Help—Mentors, Study Buddies and Tutors. Check out your provider’s resources. Make sure you are aware of all the support that is available if you find yourself in need of help.
16. Assessments and Quizzes—Any Practice Exams or Example Papers? If you can find a place to do practice tests or quizzes, it may be a great way to feel comfortable with the course content. You may be able to practice for your exams and quizzes. Often the textbook is the provider of the practice materials.
17. Use a Building Block Approach for Writing Papers. Waiting until the night before is not a good idea. Do not procrastinate! Start mapping out your strategy for writing a paper (essay, term paper, research project) and develop a building block approach that works for you.
If you follow all these suggestions, you will find your experience with online courses to be much more positive than you might have imagined. As you encounter friends and family who may be nervous about taking online courses, feel free to share your “lessons learned” and success strategies.
Work together/Win together!
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