Success Strategies for eLearners

Online learning has special challenges. You may never see or meet the teacher. You may not have classmates that you see on a regular basis.

But you can succeed! Plan on it! Follow the simple tips below, and you'll do better in your eLearning. They may seem pretty basic, but they'll help keep you focused and on track.

1. Computer ABCs

First, make sure that your computer skills are in good order.
Ensure that you have reliable access to a fairly new computer connected to the Internet throughout your entire eLearning course.
Make sure you are using the correct software! Using an incorrect browser can cause intermittent and seemingly random problems.
At the very minimum, you should be comfortable sending/receiving email, sending/receiving email attachments, browsing/searching the Internet, and typing reasonably fast and accurately.
Check out the online tutorial first (Week Zero) so you are comfortable with the Angel online platform BEFORE your class officially starts.
Spend some time just navigating your way through your Angel class and making sure you can figure out what the buttons are for.
Save your work on disks. Sometimes computers do bad things, so it is wise to back up your material.
Be patient when you have computer or Internet problems. When in doubt wait 30 seconds. Still having problems? Log out of Angel and log back in. Still problems? Log out of Angel and shut down your computer completely; now start it back up and log back into Angel.

2. Commit.

Goal #1: "I will succeed in this course."
At the beginning of a new course, look through the materials. Break the lessons/assignments into manageable chunks. You might not have time to do a full lesson in one night, so plan for how much you can do, then stick to it until you're done.
Be sure you are committed to online learning. Online learning means you are fully responsible for your learning outcomes.

3. Be Realistic.

Take one eLearning class at a time until you have adjusted to the new online learning environment. Adjusting does take time. Do not just leap into several eLeraning classes before you get your feet wet!
Pace yourself. Don't over extend yourself. There's a reason it takes several years to graduate from traditional university. You're in this to learn, not just to get a certificate, so make sure you're learning, not just racing through the materials.
Keep a calendar or journal with your study goals and important dates clearly marked-and look at it every day.
Determine what time is best for you to study. Is it after dinner on Wednesdays when your partner is at bowling? Is it Saturday mornings when the kids are at soccer?
Tolerate change. Online instruction is still a brand new field, and successful students (and instructors) need to recognize that technology can be fussy and that things may fall apart. To successfully handle the challenges that come with online instruction, we must all be willing to learn while doing.

4. Participate.

Be sure to check how many days per week you must be online.
Contribute your ideas, perspective, and comments on the subject you are studying, and read about those of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course--you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you as well.
Log in to each eLearning classroom daily - or a minimum of 3-5 days a week. Once you get into the online system, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on, you may get behind and find it very difficult to catch up.
Almost all your information will come in the form of words. Words on the screen help the instructor "see" you much more clearly. The teaching style used in online courses may be different from the traditional college model. Taking a class online means you won't be sitting quietly in the classroom; participation is even more essential.

5. Be Self-Motivated and Self-Disciplined.

With the freedom and flexibility of an online environment comes responsibility. The online process takes a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process.
If your class includes discussion forums, be sure you check how many posts (responses) per week you need to make and if there are specific dates these must be made by or if that varies depending upon the teacher.
Learn the name of your class and the name of your teacher!
Check when your actual online week begins and ends (times and dates). Example: midnight or noon of a certain day each week. This is critical when you are trying to find time to get assignments completed and posted to the assignment area for grading.
Keep up-to-date and moving through your class. You're here to learn, so doing an entire quarter's coursework in one week just isn't good learning.

6. Communicate! Communicate! Communicate!

Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether learners are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible in an eLearning class. If you are experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), you must speak up and communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong.
Remember, you are dealing with real people on the other end of your internet connection. Being polite and respectful is not only common sense, it is absolutely obligatory for a productive and supportive online environment. In a positive online environment, you will feel valued by your instructor, valued by your classmates, and your own work will have greater value as well.
Don't read material just once. Multiple reading, line-by-line reading are among the keys to a thorough understanding. Be sure to read your instructor's announcements, emails, and instructions carefully.
Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what you've written before you send it. Were you clear and specific? If you're sending email to your instructor, did you include your full name and the name of the course you're taking? Did you perhaps include a phone number for contact?
As much as your instructor will try to be prompt in answering questions, please do not expect instantaneous responses to your queries.

7. Celebrate successes!

Reward yourself with whatever works for you, along the way. Remember, you chose to do this. Be proud of your accomplishments!

8. Ask Questions.

If you don't understand something, ASK. It's been said a zillion times: the only dumb question is the one you don't ask.
Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send a note immediately to the instructor of the course listed on the syllabus. Most problems are easily solved, but your teacher has to hear from you before s/he can help.