Tips for Success as an Online Student
Here are a few suggestions that may help you be successful in an online class.
- Carefully go through each step of this online orientation: Prior to starting your online class, make sure you read and understand what is required of you and your equipment to avoid surprises.
- Use a good computer with a high-speed Internet connection: Students who report the most success and satisfaction in their online class generally have robust computers with a high-speed Internet connection. However nothing is foolproof, so have a backup computer and a backup Internet connection that you can use in an emergency.
- Understand how to use your computer and software before beginning your class: The more you understand about computers and the software that you will use in your online class, the more likely it is that you will be successful. You should not expect to learn computers while you are taking your online class.
- Always compose your answers in a word processor, where you can save your work: With a word processor you can easily run a spelling and grammar check and you can save your work for your own records. If it is a written assignment that requires you to submit your answers in a text box within the course, you simply copy and paste your response from the word processor into the text box of your assignment or discussion area. If the assignment instructions require you to submit your response as a file, simply attach the file that you just saved and then submit the assignment (NOTE: the steps to complete each of these tasks may vary slightly from one course platform to another)
- Read the course documents carefully: Your success is closely linked to your reading and understanding the information given to you in the course. The syllabus should be the first thing you read.
- Get help as soon as you need it: If you are experiencing any technical trouble or are confused about instructions, don't let too much time pass before asking for help. Of course, be sure and check all the appropriate places first, to see if you can find the answer on your own.
- Don't put off assignments or tests until the last minute: Not only will you be rushed and your work may suffer, but if something happens you may miss the deadline. Get started early to allow for possible problems.
- Try to avoid heavy Internet traffic times: During the peak usage times of 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM you are more likely to encounter Internet congestion, so we advise students to avoid those times when possible. I also notice that my ISP frequently schedules maintenance on the weekends. Be prepared for slow or no Internet connection by not procrastinating.
- Make Subject Headings/Titles Descriptive: Make sure your postings to discussion boards or emails to the instructor or tech support have meaningful subject headings. For example, if you have a question about formatting your term paper a good subject heading might be "Question on Term Paper Formatting", a bad subject heading is less descriptive and might be "Term Paper" or "Question".
- Try to Keep Posts Concise: In general your discussion board posts and emails should be short and to the point, unless they are part of an assignment that has specified a minimum length.
- Show Respect: Always be polite and respectful.
- Classmates Will Have Different Backgrounds and Viewpoints: Be tolerant of other people's viewpoints, and try to learn from them. That's what being a student is all about.
- Keep Humor to a Minimum: Humor often requires facial expressions or tone of voice to be understood. Humor expressed in writing is often misunderstood, so avoid it whenever possible.
- Avoid abbreviations: Not everyone will understand what "imho" means.
- Keep discussion board postings on topic: Don't post irrelevant messages or mix two messages in one unless you were specifically asked to do this.
- Read prior messages before posting your own: If you have a question, you may find that someone else already asked it and you may even find an answer.
- DO NOT TYPE IN ALL CAPS: This is considered shouting and rude.
- Check out the book, How to be a Successful Online Student, from the PC Library. The call number is 371.35 GIL