SUPPORT FOR ONLINE STUDENTS

Is Distance Learning for Me?
Those who have already taken distance learning courses know that online classes are not for everybody. They require not only a more pro-active attitude from the student, but also self-discipline, rigor, independence, good communications skills, etc. Check out the link below and see what the result of this questionnaire will tell you about yourself.

http://www.cod.edu/dept/CIL/CIL_Surv.htm

Myths Associated with Distance Learning Courses
Those of you who are first-timers and a little nervous about taking an online course should keep in mind that the course is “doable.” I am going to do my very best to help you out and work with you if you are experiencing a problem, as long as you keep me informed. If you need an extension on a deadline, for example, let me know. I want all of you to complete the course and get a good grade.
However, we need to talk about some myths associated with online courses.

Myth: Online courses are like correspondence courses. Not really. There is a lot of interaction among students and between students and instructor in this class.

Myth: Online courses don’t teach you anything. They are a waste of money. Students need to take responsibility for their learning regardless of the mode of course delivery. In a web course, perhaps you need to be even more pro-active. In this particular course, whatever you put in, that’s what you get out.

Myth: Setting aside the same amount of time for an online course as you would for a face-to-face (f2f) class is enough to be successful. Students occasionally indicate that they intend to set aside three hours per week to complete a web course. The reasoning behind this statement is that they would spend three hours in class in a f2f course. Now imagine that most of the info you would get in a f2f course will now reach you via reading, viewing, or listening to the material. Each of these is a time-consuming activity. Depending on how fast a reader you are, three hours may not be enough to familiarize yourself with the course content, let alone to complete additional written assignments.

Myth: Online courses are too hard. I don’t think they are any harder than f2f courses, but they need a different approach. Students need to be more disciplined and more focused to be successful.

Myth: When you take an online course you need to work in isolation. Absolutely not. We are trying to create a writing community here. Students work in groups. That way, they can keep one another motivated, and their grades will also be better.

If you have previous experience with online courses and can think of more myths, please let me know and I’ll include them here.

Advice for Online Students
If this is your first web course, please check out the following link to find out what you can expect and how to be better prepared. The link is helpful for routine online students, too.

http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/AcadAffairs/CorrStudy/Tutorial/TutorialMain.htm

Tips and Trick for the Online Student
For more helpful tips to succeed in an online course, please check out “Ten Tips and Trick for the Online Student” by Mark Evans. (Available at http://techlearning.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=20900591. If the link doesn’t work, please google it.)

I hope the information in this page is helpful. Best of luck with your online courses!