Overview of Online Learning Essentials
Online learning makes it possible to study whenever you want, wherever you are located. This allows you to balance other obligations and earn a high school diploma or college degree online.
Despite the flexibility, it’s important to know that online courses can take as much time and effort as traditional classroom courses. You will also need to have specific technical and tactical skills to succeed, such as the need to be able to manage time and communicate effectively.
Here are three skills will make you a better student in an online learning environment.
Time Management Skills
Online learning offers flexibility. However, too much freedom can lead to new challenges. It is highly recommended that you create a daily schedule and routine that will help find times of the day when you are most motivated. This should help make sure you don’t fail to log-in and get coursework started.
You might also want to start each week with a schedule of tasks’ due dates. By doing so, you can prioritize which tasks are necessary to complete by its respective deadline.
Communication Skills
Online learning requires communication skills. While instructors are eager to assist students in online learning, they cannot pick up on nonverbal cues such as confusion or a student’s look.
To communicate with your instructors, use the tools provided by school (email, virtual classroom, etc.). But, don’t be afraid to call your teacher directly. If they have provided a work phone number, it is absolutely ok to contact them with questions, concerns, and conversation. Some instructors will state their preference is to only be contacted by email; be sure to check all course materials at the start of the class to see what is recommended by each instructor.
Use the appropriate language when you chat in chat rooms or send emails.
Participate in active discussions within the classroom to stay informed about what’s happening during class. This will help build relationships with your classmates, while also engaging in collaboration.
Technical Skills
Many online schools offer student orientation and onboarding programs. These programs teach students how to use the school’s Learning Management System (LMS), as well as other online tools. It is important that you are familiar with the LMS your school or university uses.
To succeed online, learners must have basic technical skills. These skills include the ability to create documents and navigate the internet for information. You can find a number of tutorials online to help you learn basic technical skills.
You Can Succeed at Online Learning
These skills will be helpful in helping you become a better online learner. Online learning requires perseverance. Successful students are typically those who persevere through difficulties, seek out help when necessary, set aside time to study for each course, and have the technical basics to proceed through a course.
