Archive for the ‘College Tips’ Category
Advancing Distance Learning
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Distance learning is a great and convenient way to advance your career and education. In fact, online courses are much like face-to-face courses in that they must meet the highest standards of quality design and instruction. But that also means they come with the same fears of “can I handle the coursework,” etc.
Visit the bookstore. Once you’ve logged on, locate the bookstore and order your books for your course(s). (Hint: Sometimes it takes 10 days to get the book to you, so you want to do this right away.)
Find the important offices and contact information. Locate any offices you might need, like the computer help desk, business office, the advising office, the department teaching your course, and the library. Lucky for you, you don’t have to learn about the dining halls (if you’re an off campus student) since your own kitchen will be your dining hall (and snack bar). Schools vary greatly in how their Web sites are laid out, but most provide links, numbers, and e-mails for all the services you will need as an online student. (Hint: Knowing where these things are will save you time and effort when you are trying to get information in a hurry.)
Locate the login and password for your course and the directions for logging in. Most of the time, your login and password for your class will match your login and password for the school. (Hint: you don’t want to find yourself without this essential information when the help desk is unavailable and you have your first assignment due, so make sure you can log in, even if you can’t access your course right away.)
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Handling Distance Learning Education
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Worried about being a newbie? There’s no need to worry if you follow these simple tips to ease your transition into online education.
Make sure you have everything you need to start. Locate the computer requirements document on the school Web site. Make sure your computer fits the requirements and you have the right peripherals (printer, speakers, microphone, etc) and software (Adobe Acrobat to read .PDF files, Microsoft Word for writing papers, etc). Once you have those things in place, make sure they all work!! (Hint: most schools provide the software as downloads from their technical support page, so check that out before you buy software).
Set aside an area in your room for your books and other class requirements and important school documents. It is important to have some organization, even if it’s just two folders — a physical one for important papers and a folder on your computer where you put all your final written papers. Put your books, some blank paper, a pen, and a highlighter all in one place. (Hint: if you are planning to use multiple computers like one at home and one at work, buy a backpack to keep all you stuff in so it is portable and handy).
Know the school landscape. Just as if you were walking around a new campus, you will need to “walk” around your virtual campus to learn where things are. Log into the school Web site with your assigned login and password as soon as possible. Click on different links to see what is available and get a real feel for your school. (Hint: Most schools hide important student information behind a firewall to protect you, so you will need to have a login and password to access it.)
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Maintaining Your Study Space at Home for Online Classes
Wednesday, December 10th, 2008
Maintaining your study space for online classes can be a lot of work. A messy area can lead to coffee-stained papers, damaged textbooks, and misplaced notes. Give everything a designated area on your desk and shelves. Use an old coffee mug to hold your pens, pencils, and highlighters. Use bookends to keep your books stacked nicely on your desk. It is essential that you keep your notes up-to-date. Have a filing system, so that you can file away new papers, graded assignments, and exams. This will prevent lose papers and keep your desk tidy.
If you enjoy a cup of coffee with your daily textbook reading, be sure to take the empty mug back to the kitchen sink when you are done. Remove all dirty dishes after use so that they don’t pile up and consume precious space on your desk. Another consequence of leaving old dishes around? They might begin to attract bugs and other unwanted critters, as well as dishes getting smelly or moldy! By taking a few minutes every day to keep your work area neat and tidy, you can come home and start your work right away without searching for items or getting distracted by useless clutter.
For effective studying concentration, use your room for studying or your home’s quiet area - away from any distractions. Avoid the temptation to your home office for other projects. If you enjoy crafting, building models, knitting or anything else, do not bring them into your work area. Though these activities are great hobbies and smart stress-relievers, they will lure you away from your academic goals. Also, if you’re a parent taking online classes, try to dissuade your children from using the space. It is okay to have a place you can call your own!
Studying in a shared space? Not everyone has space or an extra room in their home just for their studies. If you are studying in your living room, den or another shared space, be sure to communicate your needs to others. Maybe put up a sign that reads, “Quiet, please – Working,” or “Reserving the Living Room from 8 – 10 Tonight.” If you are trying to write a paper in the kitchen, but you can hear the television in the next room, you may want to purchase noise-cancelling or noise-reduction headphones or ear plugs.
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Apprehensions of an Online Student
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
You are now admitted and enrolled in an online college, problem now is, you have some concerns and hesitations and you do not know what to do. This is common for first timers. But, don’t worry, there are solutions to your uneasiness.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. As an online student there are several ways to get the answers you are seeking. If your course offers instructor support (and I would recommend courses that do), you can always direct inquiries to your teacher. Top-notch courses tend to provide first-class support so that students never feel lost or alone during the e-learning process. However, online chat rooms, if provided, are another great resource for students seeking answers. Online chat rooms give students a forum to meet other students taking the same course and ask questions or discuss assignments. More than likely another student taking the course has had or will have the same question. If you need an immediate answer – do your best to find the answer yourself. You’ll likely satisfy other lingering questions in the process and often times the journey to the answer teaches you more than the answer itself.
Get What You Give
Remember that noncredit, continuing education and certificate courses are designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional caliber positions for in-demand occupations. The more effort you put forth in these online courses to comprehend the lessons taught the more likely you are to succeed after the course is finished. Extra effort during the course will lead to an easier transition in your new positions or with your new responsibilities. E-learning has a lot to offer students who dedicate the time and focus to extracting everything the course has to offer.
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Succeeding as an Online Student
Tuesday, December 9th, 2008
Online courses are an excellent way for busy professionals to gain advanced training and certifications or switch career paths. They can also be very effective for first-time job seekers who need specialized training. However, before signing up, here are a few factors that can ensure an online student’s success.
Time management may be the biggest factor in succeeding at your online course. Successful online students have to be very proactive in their studies and take responsibility for their own learning. To master time management, first determine what time of day you think you will be most focused on your studies. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Do you concentrate best after a cup of coffee or after lunch? Once you narrow in on a time of day reserve a designated allotment of time to dedicate to your course. Stay committed to that reserved time and treat it like an appointment that can’t be budged.
Balancing Personal Obligations. While there are many reasons to take an online course – one of the most frequent reasons students choose these courses is because of the convenience. Whether you have a full-time job, don’t want to fight traffic or are raising a family – balancing school and personal obligations can become a juggling act. The beauty of self-paced, online courses is that you can study around your schedule – so be sure to set study time during your down time – even if that means 11 p.m.
An ideal study environment is just that – ideal. Some students need absolute silence while others can’t seem to concentrate without noise in the background. No matter what your preference is, a well-lit place that is free from distractions is recommended. Note that you’ll make much better use of thirty minutes of disruption-free study than an hour’s worth of commotion-filled learning. If you can’t escape in-home interruptions, try the library or a coffee shop. Schedule your designated study time when you can be in a distraction-free environment and your chances for success will increase and the time you need to devote to your course will decrease.
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