Successful+Online+Learner

=Being a Successful Learner Online=

**What You Need to Know** Let us first commend you on your choice of an online program. Our faculty have extensive experience teaching in the online environment, and we know you will find our programs to be a challenging as well as a rewarding experience. Before you embark on your new educational adventure, there are some things you need to know.

**What is online learning?** Online learning is much more than simply separating the learner and the instructor in space and time. Our courses go far beyond the traditional correspondence course, with the read-this-chapter and answer-these-questions format. In our classes, you will be expected to be actively engaged in the learning process. We strive to include dynamic and authentic learning activities that will demand you think “outside of the box” and apply what you learn in real world contexts.

**Understanding the difference between schedule and pace** You may have heard that online learning allows you to work on your own schedule at your own pace. Well, yes and no. Online classes follow the same schedule as regular campus-based classes, have a specific time frame (including some scheduled face-to-face meetings), and specific due dates. You must pay attention to all assignment due dates and meet those deadlines. However, within the confines of the class schedule, you can generally work at your own //pace//. This means that you can complete the work at any time convenient to you as long as it is done by the posted due date.

**Before you begin** Before you take your first class, there are a few things you should do to prepare yourself.

**//Familiarize yourself with CourseDen.//** //CourseDen//is the learning management system that UWG uses to deliver online courses. If you have never worked in //CourseDen// before, you need to complete the tutorials and read through the available resources //before your first class. CourseDen// resources are accessible at – []

**//Have consistent access to a recent computer and high-speed internet.//** Enrolling in an online program means having access to the necessary equipment needed to be successful. While you can potentially get by with dial-up internet service and/or an older computer (more than 4 years), you are //strongly encouraged// to update your available equipment. The online learning experience will be much more enjoyable if you invest in the necessary resources.

**//Find your quiet place.//** Despite rumors to the contrary, online learning is not easier than traditional classroom learning and, in fact, most distance learners report that it is often more rigorous and takes much more time. You will need to enlist the understanding of family, friends, and co-workers in helping you find the time and the place to work in peace. Procrastination is the biggest enemy for online learners. Success in this learning environment is directly tied to prioritizing your time to make sure you keep up with the class and complete all work in a timely fashion.

**After the class starts** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Once your coursework has begun, here are some tips to make sure you have an enjoyable and productive learning experience.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Communication and participation.//** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Online courses live and die by communication and participation. Much of the communication in a virtual classroom will be written. It is very import-ant that you read all instructions and pay careful attention to detail. A significant percentage of “poor” grades can be traced back to students not reading and following directions carefully. So, when in doubt, ask questions. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">You should also be comfortable and able to ex-press yourself in written form. Different classes will have different requirements and expectations when it comes to written communications but, in general, communication in this environment requires that you commit to being an active participant in a sustained dialogue.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Active means adding something meaningful to the conversation. One of the greatest things about asynchronous communication in online classes is that it allows introverts to express themselves freely. If you are the type to stay quiet in a regular classroom, now is your chance to have the time you need to reflect on topics and to add something significant to the debate. Many students comment that the most engaging and important aspect of their classes revolves around the sharing of opinions and experiences in the discussion forums. As with most things in life, civility is paramount with online communications. The learning environment should remain positive and supportive. For that to happen, everyone should remain polite to and respectful of others. Remember, there is a big difference between “attacking” an idea and attacking a person.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Stay on top of the work.//** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">For most students, there is an online learning curve. It is not uncommon for students to feel lost and stressed out as they begin an online program. One of the most important things you can do to help yourself is to set goals, stay on top of the work, and not get behind. While online learning provides for great freedom and flexibility, it also demands maturity, good time management skills, and a high level of commitment and discipline. Perhaps, the single most important thing you can do to help ensure you do not fall behind is to make the commitment to log into the course everyday — even if only for a few minutes. At the very least, strive for 4-5 times a week. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Take the initiative.//** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Much research has been done about the characteristics of good online learners. In general, good online learners have a positive self-image, a strong work ethic, self-determination, self-discipline, self-motivation and basic technology skills (Kachel, Henry, & Keller, 2005). So, in short, good online learners take the self-initiative needed to complete tasks and to be successful at a distance even in the face of what they may see as “unclear” direction. Given the nature of techno-logical advances, we often tell students that the single biggest skill a media or educational technology professional can cultivate is the ability to adapt, to change, and to learn on one’s own. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//If you are having problems, speak up!//** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Even though you are expected to be self-motivated, you are not alone “out there.” In this program, you will find faculty to be very approachable and receptive of your questions and concerns. Do not be afraid to approach your professor with your concerns, issues or ideas. Remember, your professors and fellow students are not mind readers. So much can be lost in the predominantly asynchronous communication of online courses. We are not able to read your body language to know if you are happy, confused, angry, etc. Likewise, if you do not understand what the professor means on an assignment or in a discussion or email, please let him or her know. We want to help address any difficulties you may be having, but we cannot do so unless you communicate with us clearly. <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**After the class ends**

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Take the time to reflect on what you have learned and complete all assessments for the course.//** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Your professors very much value your opinion, and we take our class evaluations very seriously. Good online courses should always be in a constant state of revision. Your input helps guide the redesign of the course to better meet the needs of future students.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**//Be a proud advocate for the program and for online learning.//** <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">There is much in the way of bad press concerning online learning. Advocate for the merits of online learning to your friends, family and coworkers.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">We need people who can go forth and explain that high quality learning can indeed be had in the virtual classroom. As you work through your program, we hope you come to believe as we do that good distance courses can even surpass good face-to-face courses in quality. The growth of our program largely depends on word of mouth, so we depend on you.

<span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;"> There are five sections to this online orientation module and a quiz. The completion of the quiz with at least 80% correct response demonstrates partial fulfillment of the beginning assessment requirements. You need to complete this requirement on or before the end of the 3rd week of your first semester. To continue, please click to hyperlinked texts below:
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Overview and Welcome
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">First Things First
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Which Course to Take First?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Which Assessment?
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Maintaining Your Good Student Status
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">**Being a Successful Learner Online**
 * <span style="font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif;">Orientation Module Quiz (Needs to be completed on or before the end of the 3rd week of your first semester)