Steps to Online Success

November 29th, 2011

Smile

An interesting article about 6 steps to online success was published at Campus Technology. The article was written specifically for online teaching faculty. However, I think it contains a lot of useful insights for online learners. Taking the original post and flipping it upside down and sideways, here are some things to consider for your online success.

Cleaning up your act

In the original article‘s list of 6, the first item has some interesting parallels for online students. When I first read the header, my first thought was that they were talking about personal branding. However, the central point of this section was that there are so many amazing tools that you can use to really amplify your online work. Online coursework is often about presentation. If you use the tools that are available to you then you might just have a prettier act than you did when you began.

Answers in 24 hours

As an online learner, it is crucial that you recognize this about your instructors: If you email them, please be patient. There are more students than teachers and email can pile up. Being patient with your instructors and writing cogent messages (please include your real name!) can make email exchanges go smoothly. And, it is okay to thank your teacher for responding in a timely fashion. Let them know that you appreciate their hard work. Sometimes they will be responsible for teaching hundreds of students at the same time. That is why the 24 hour rule may not always apply…and that is okay.

Plenty of structure

The best online instructors are those that create a sense of structure for their classes. Seek these people out. Having a sense of place (and time) even in online spaces can make for a vibrant learning experience. Sometimes, an academic program will even set up their curricula so that each course runs in a similar way. This makes it so much easier for you, the online learner, to navigate, learn, and achieve.

Formal phone conferences

This one baffled me a bit when I first read it. “Phone conferences”? Really? In 2011, I would have expected Skype or Google+ Hangouts to replace the phone as a method for formal check-ins. Being able to see your students and chat with them pseudo-face-to-face is such an asset if the technology is available. The best part of this point is the commitment to meeting with each student in a class. I have not seen this practice at a lot of schools, but I bet it would make a difference for students. How great would it be to be able to actually “see” your teacher and have a brief conversation.

Do online what online does best

Here’s where I disagree with the original article. Face-to-face is great, but so is online. Some students create amazing connections with one another and with their professors all in the online learning environment. The point about using videos to allow students the opportunity to learn at their own pace is a good one. being able to watch an educational video on your terms is a hallmark of the online learning experience. It is all about flexibility and convenience.

The perpetual best in show contest

This is my favorite section in the “6 steps” article. When we create content in online spaces, we create opportunities for sharing, learning, collaboration, and inspiration. Sharing your work with others is a great way to build an even better idea. One of the critiques of online learning is that it does not allow for community generation. I think that there is tremendous community in online spaces…especially when we engage with one another and showcase our own “best in show.”

[image credit]

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, November 29th, 2011 at 5:51 pm and is filed under Feature Article. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.

  • Anonymous

    HERE’s a tip for success regarding college experience: Signing this, my petition: http://wh.gov/jU8 — But will my petition actually work? For example, THIS other petition is an ‘expired’ petition: https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/promote-enforce-teaching-evolution-over-creationism/H4HkDs0B It was created Sept 24, 2011, well over a month ago, but since it reached over 150 siggy’s it is imortalised and still listed on The Whitehouse website — So, what’s the point?

    THIS other petition that did NOT get 150 signatures in 30 days was deleted: http://wh.gov/24m — it simply said that her petition was expired — Who KNOWS what it was?

    So, what’s the bottom line?

    ANSWER: If my petition, http://wh.gov/jU8 can get 150 signatures before the month elapses, then TWO things happens:

    #1 — Of course, it can become searchable in the database, so when someone puts in a key word like ‘education’ or ‘college’ or ‘economy’ or ‘budget,’ my petition pops up & getting signatures is not so much of a pain (where I beg, plead, and finagle my friends here to sign) — but here’s the main thing you need to know:

    #2 — My petition will become immortal — much like the Evolution/Creation petition above — even AFTER it ‘expires,’ it will *remain* on the Whitehouse website AND (get this!) still be eligible to receive signatures –just not ‘official’ where the Whitehouse *has* to respond –so, unless you can think of a better use of your time right now, then stop complaining, stop moaning, and stop groaning ,and SIGN MY PETETION TO OBAMA: http://wh.gov/jU8

    Conservatives such as myself, are incensed with the obscenely high tax placed on students (tuition is legally a tax, as it flows to the government, State Universities in most cases)

    Furthermore, Conservatives, such as myself, are peeved that the Government interference in the Free Market by insertion of Federally made or guaranteed student loans, which “bid up” the costs of college, since corrupt liberals in Higher Ed know that students with loans can borrow more.

    Liberals are *also* on our side, as they don’t like being stepped on by ‘The Man’

    Note: I’m conservative, so I’m not asking for 100%-total forgiveness of student debt (e.g I don’t wanna free handout) –but just basic things like standard consumer protections for student debt that even credit card users have.
    Please sign my petition on The Whitehouse website so I can get the 150 signatures in time to save it:

    http://wh.gov/jU8

    For further information, or, if you forget the link, log on to:
    http://www.GordonWatts.com
    or
    http://www.GordonWayneWatts.com

  • Gordon Watts

    * HERE’s a tip for success regarding college experience: Signing this, my petition: http://wh.gov/jU8 — But will my petition actually work? For example, THIS other petition is an ‘expired’ petition: https://wwws.whitehouse.gov/petitions#!/petition/promote-enforce-teaching-evolution-over-creationism/H4HkDs0B It was created Sept 24, 2011, well over a month ago, but since it reached over 150 siggy’s it is imortalised and still listed on The Whitehouse website — So, what’s the point?

    THIS other petition that did NOT get 150 signatures in 30 days was deleted: http://wh.gov/24m — it simply said that her petition was expired — Who KNOWS what it was?

    So, what’s the bottom line?

    ANSWER: If my petition, http://wh.gov/jU8 can get 150 signatures before the month elapses, then TWO things happens:

    #1 — Of course, it can become searchable in the database, so when someone puts in a key word like ‘education’ or ‘college’ or ‘economy’ or ‘budget,’ my petition pops up & getting signatures is not so much of a pain (where I beg, plead, and finagle my friends here to sign) — but here’s the main thing you need to know:

    #2 — My petition will become immortal — much like the Evolution/Creation petition above — even AFTER it ‘expires,’ it will *remain* on the Whitehouse website AND (get this!) still be eligible to receive signatures –just not ‘official’ where the Whitehouse *has* to respond –so, unless you can think of a better use of your time right now, then stop complaining, stop moaning, and stop groaning ,and SIGN MY PETETION TO OBAMA: http://wh.gov/jU8

    Conservatives such as myself, are incensed with the obscenely high tax placed on students (tuition is legally a tax, as it flows to the government, State Universities in most cases)

    Furthermore, Conservatives, such as myself, are peeved that the Government interference in the Free Market by insertion of Federally made or guaranteed student loans, which “bid up” the costs of college, since corrupt liberals in Higher Ed know that students with loans can borrow more.

    Liberals are *also* on our side, as they don’t like being stepped on by ‘The Man’

    Note: I’m conservative, so I’m not asking for 100%-total forgiveness of student debt (e.g I don’t wanna free handout) –but just basic things like standard consumer protections for student debt that even credit card users have.
    Please sign my petition on The Whitehouse website so I can get the 150 signatures in time to save it:

    http://wh.gov/jU8

    For further information, or, if you forget the link, log on to:
    http://www.GordonWatts.com
    or
    http://www.GordonWayneWatts.com

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