Taking Online Courses

 Contrary to what many believe, online courses are not easier than face-to-face courses.

In fact, they tend to be more demanding than face-to-face or hybrid courses requiring greater: organization, self-motivation, and time-management skills. If you struggle in these areas, you should reconsider taking an online class. Fully online classes do however provide flexibility and the ability for learners to complete coursework anywhere. To make the most of this flexibility, online learners need to:

  1.  Know how to use the technology (e.g., email, use a Web browser, course learning management system). If you don’t know how to use the required tech… you must be prepared to learn. 
  2. Login regularly to participate in the class - at least 3 times per week, and commit at least 6 hours per week to the course. Some students login as much as twice a day.  
  3. Exercise good time-management to ensure enough time to study and complete all assignments. Submitting assignments right at or after the submission deadline is NOT a best practice. 
  4. Take notes as you study. 
  5. Get used to communicating in writing and reading the writing of others. You must be open to share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions with the group and carefully consider your responses with professional respect and courtesy.
    Netiquette is Rules for Online Communication
  6. Seek help when problems arise…don’t wait until you are faced with a submission deadline. Your professor wants you—and all other learners in the course to be successful.

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