Preparing yourself for an online course,
whether it is totally online or with some
classroom time,
is a matter of asking a series of questions.
Studies have shown that it takes a certain
amount of self discipline and motivation
to
schedule and manage yourself through such a
course.
If this is your first experience
with online or distance learning,
your skill set of
experiences and expectations begin with your
educational goals with the course.
Concept map of elements of
an online learning
experience
What purpose does this online course serve in my education?
Think the process through!
You may have to work without face-to-face contact with your teacher,
your classmates, and possibly outside academic
support
How confident am I of
- Managing
my time?
- Keeping your focus on the course objectives
and assignments?
- Taking responsibility for accomplishing tasks?
- Meeting unexpected problems or
challenges?
The course syllabus provides information
about
- Prerequisites
- Course objectives and priorities
- The teacher and language of instruction
- Course schedule
or pacing as regards timelines for completing
tasks
- Procedures for submitting assignments
- Requirements for interaction
whether live or asynchronous contributions
whether in person or online via
email, text messaging, chat rooms,
videoconferencing
whether discussions, feedback on projects, Q&A
sessions,
whether with the instructor, course mates,
experts
- Assessment & tests
Grading scales
- Academic support, whether online or in person
Study guides, help lines, reference works,
research librarians
- Opportunities for feedback throughout
the course.
What is this course electronic learning
environment like?
- What are the course technical requirements
hardware, software, specialized applications
- What is the optimal browser, and perhaps
email client
- What training is necessary for the course
applications?
- What training or orientation is available
for the textbook website, CD, DVD, etc.
- What training or orientation is available
for the course learning system, such as
Blackboard, WebCT, Moodle, etc.
- What training or orientation is available
for additional communications options?
Conference or chat rooms, discussion boards,
video conferencing, email, voicemail, text
messaging, etc.
What is my home learning environment like?
- What hardware and software do I have at
home?
- What access to the Internet and email do I have?
How fast is the connection and what connection
is necessary?
- What technology does this course require?
If not explicitly stated, ask the teacher
- If I should have a computer failure (disk
crash or virus attack),
what is my back up?
- Can I schedule time to complete
assignments without interference?
- What alternatives outside the home are available to me?
Website overview: Since 1996 the
Study Guides and Strategies web site
has been researched, authored, maintained and supported by Joe Landsberger
as an international, learner-centric, educational public service. Permission is granted to freely copy, adapt,
and distribute individual Study Guides in print format in non-commercial educational settings that benefit learners. Please be aware that the Guides welcome, and are under, continuous review and revision. For that reason, reproduction of all content on the Internet
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