Having
earned my MBA online, and being both a resident and online professor at
Southwest Florida College, I am familiar with the study skills
necessary to be successful in the online learning environment. I hope the tips I outline below will help you as well!
If you follow the tips below, you WILL be successful in your online education:
1. SYLLABUS = "A": The syllabus in an online course IS the outline of the class expectations. Everything you need to succeed is contained in this document. Take the time to read and understand it.
2. MAKE A CALENDAR: Make a school calendar and mark due dates of EVERY assignment. Also, take the time at the start of the course to schedule your study time. This study time on your calendar is as important as any other appointment you have. Don't deviate from your study schedule once you make it.
3. READ AND WRITE EARLY AND OFTEN: Most online classes require a great deal of reading and a weekly paper. The papers involve research and well thought out answers. You can't wait until the last minute to start the reading or writing assignments.
4. KEEP UP: One
of the fallacies of online classes is, "I can wait until the weekend to
start working on my class since most of the requirements are due by
Sunday at midnight.” ABSOLUTELY not true. Most online classes have deadlines throughout each week for certain requirements. If you miss those deadlines, you may get a zero for that assignment or a reduced grade.
5. DON'T BE AFRAID TO ASK: EVERY online class has a professor monitoring the class. He/she is THERE FOR YOU - just as a resident professor is. Your professor is an email or phone call away. If you have questions along the way, don't hesitate to ask. Many online classes also have weekly chat sessions where you can e-speak to your professor in real time. Take advantage of the professor – he/she is there to help you learn.
6. STUDY FOR YOUR QUIZZES: Many new online students think that since the quizzes are online, he/she can use the book while taking the quiz. This is usually not the case. Most online quizzes are timed and you do not have ample time to look up all the answers.
7. LEARN FROM YOUR PEERS: One advantage of the online learning environment - believe it or not - is that you have more interaction with your peers. Most online classes have a discussion question/interaction assignment each week. These are the same types of questions that would be brought up in class. However,
in the online environment, EVERYONE has the opportunity (ok,
requirement) to both "speak" about the topic and comment on his/her
peers' discussion input. You
learn not only academic tidbits that may not be in the "book" or in your
research, but you gain the knowledge of real life experiences from
others. You do not have this type of discussion opportunity in resident classrooms.
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