Some students think that an online course is cyber-surfing for credit. An online course often requires more work than a traditional classroom course. Time management is the most important skill needed for success in distance learning. In addition to having enough time to complete course work, you need to be able to plan your time, make a schedule, and stick to it.
Do you excel at the art of procrastination? If so, distance learning classes will be especially challenging. The following tutorial offers effective tips for beating procrastination:
Overcome Procrastination
If you feel you need more help with time management, try the following sites:
Your online course work will require extensive written communication, particularly with e-mail or through thread discussions, also known as message boards. Threaded discussions are text-based messages that allow you and your classmates to engage in classroom discussions. Remember that these discussions are viewable to the entire class and follow the rules of Netiquette.
Here are some additional communication tips:
You may have experienced working on a group project for class, but you may not have experienced working in a group online. There are both benefits and challenges to online groups. Here are two tutorials that will help you make the most of this valuable learning experience.
Walters State Community College:
The lecture notes and other materials posted online take the place of the traditional class lecture. Reading online is slower and more difficult than reading a physical text book. The following tutorial will assess your reading speed and provide effective tips for improving your speed and comprehension:
While you are not taking notes in a traditional lecture, effective note taking will still be very important to your success. Writing helps you retain knowledge - don't rely on memory alone. Follow these tips for effective note taking:
Do you consider yourself assertive? The Cambridge Dictionary describes assertive as: "someone who behaves confidently and is not frightened to say what they want or believe."
Assertiveness and initiative are qualities needed for success in distance learning. You need to take the initiative to ask questions and resolve problems that the instructor may not be able to perceive. Many of the non-verbal cues that instructors use to determine whether a student is not understanding are not as available in an online class as they are in face-to-face learning environments. If you experience difficulty on any level, either with the technology or with the course content, you need to communicate your concerns immediately, otherwise the instructor will not know how to help.
If you still feel like you need guidance or someone to talk to, contact an Online Campus eCoach. They are on call to help keep you connected and focused on your studies.
