Tips For Being a Successful Online Learner

One tip for success is to read through the information for students thoroughly. Treat it like a scavenger hunt. Do you know the answer to the following questions? If not, maybe you need to take another look around.

• What is the name of the course management system used at CSU?
• What are the technical requirements for CSU's course management system?
• Do you have the academic and technical skills to take an online course?
• Is there a free online course I can take to try eLearning before signing up for a credit course?
• What is the difference between a synchronous and an asynchronous communication tool?
• How do you forward messages from you CSU email account to another account?
• Where is the first place you should look for technical support?

Things to do at the beginning of the semester

Assess Your Readiness for Learning
Do not tell yourself that the course will be easy. Instead, prepare yourself to work hard. Most students find online courses to be convenient, yet a lot of work. Plan specific times and places you will work on the course without distractions.

Read All Course Information Clearly
Though online courses often includes audio and video these days, they are still very text intensive. Read through all course requirements, policies, and procedures carefully. It is your responsibility to know this information. If something is not clear to you, ask your instructor as soon as possible.

Pay Close Attention to the Course Calendar
Study the course calendar and note the due dates. It is a misconception that online classes are completely self-paced. Class discussion needs to occur during a frame of time - usually one to two weeks. Assignments will need to be completed by the due date. Note these important dates and notify your instructor as soon as possible if you will not be able to log into the course for a period of time. Do not assume you can just catch up later after taking a trip, for instance.

Get to Know Your Classmates
Most online courses have an area for course introductions. In addition to posting yours, read others' intros. Do you have any of the same research interests or hobbies? Reach out to others in the course. Use the "Who's Online" tool to see who tends to work at the same time as you. Send them an individual message just to say hi or to ask about something you find confusing.

Time Management

It is easy to get behind in an online course. In face-to-face classes, you may have several weeks without assignments. For example, you could attend several lectures and take notes to study for an exam, but not have anything to turn in for weeks. In online classes, there are usually weekly assignments. When you participate in class discussion in a face-to-face course, you usually don't write anything. Online, discussions need to be thought out, organized, and written.

Below are some tips to help keep you from falling into the procrastination trap:

• Add up all of the time you spend on work, family obligations, shopping, cooking, sleeping, etc. and note the amount of time you have left. Be honest with yourself - do you really have time to take this course?
• Plan on logging into the course at least three times a week.
• Enter the specific days/times you will work on the course on a calendar. You will be more likely to do it if it is scheduled just like a meeting.
• Use the "personal entries" feature in the calendar in CE. Your instructors will probably use this tool for due dates, quizzes, etc. You also have the option of entering personal entries that only you can see. Enter in times you will log on, work on assignments, submit discussion posts, etc. You can also use it to enter times for doctor visits, parent-teacher conferences, and other personal meetings. Using this tool, you'll be able to see all of your obligations in one place.
• Try not to schedule time to work on the course too close to the due dates. If at all possible, try to work a little ahead to count for any possible technical difficulties with your personal computer or the CE server.
• Read through assignments clearly and in advance so you have time to ask your instructor questions. Most instructors try to respond within 48 hours, but questions are not usually answered immediately unless you are asking them in a chat session.