Online Course - a New Way of Learning
So you are embarking on a different way of learning — an online course. Good for you! But before anything else, you have to be sure that you are ready for what is ahead of you. Although studying online seems pretty easy, it should not be underestimated. Some preparations have to be made.
You must learn the layout of your online classroom. Check out the course Web site by logging into your course (or a demo course if your course is not available) and familiarize yourself with the space. Think of the space as a classroom. Click on all the links, check out the discussion board, the assignments page, the e-mail system, and anything else you can access just as if you were checking out the physical space of a classroom. Every online course is built in a course management system (WebCT, Blackboard, Angel, Desire2Learn, Sakai, etc. - some schools have proprietary systems). It is to your advantage to learn how to navigate the course before you begin class. (Hint: nothing adds to frustration more than having to learn how to do something or where to find something when you face a deadline.)
Try and scope out the course. Find the syllabus and read it. This will give you an idea of what you are going to study, how much reading there will be, what kind of assignments you will be doing, and generally acquaint you with the professor’s expectations. (Hint: knowing what to expect will help keep you focused and not overwhelmed.)
Tags: College Tips, distance education, online courses
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