Study with a friend.
Online courses have surged in popularity in recent years. According to a study from the Sloan Consortium, almost four million students took at least one online course in 2007, nearly double the number of students from 2003. Many of these students have struggled with feelings of isolation and the need for self-discipline. Several strategies have emerged to deal with these and other issues.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind
Many of the problems with online courses arise from the advantages that make them so appealing in the first place. Because the schedule is flexible, many students underestimate the amount of time to reserve for a course. Since work can be done "anytime," a common mistake is not to reserve any time to do it.
The typical recommendation for a college course is to reserve two to three hours outside of class per credit hour. Prairie State College recommends that students in online courses reserve nine hours per week for each course. Draw up a schedule for each online course, just as if you needed to attend class. You will still see a significant time-savings because you will not need to factor in transportation time.
Technical Difficulties
Make sure that you have a plan for dealing with technical issues before the semester starts. If you are taking an online course on a traditional college campus, help is as close as the nearest computer lab--if it is open. Make sure that you know the hours of the various labs on campus. Print this information out; it does not do any good to bookmark the information if your Internet connection is down.
Public libraries can also be a useful resource, but their hours are often shorter than those of college libraries and computer labs. Don't count on being able to use your roommates' or relatives' computers, because they may have homework or bills due that cannot be delayed. You may also be able to use your employer's computers after hours if you are taking classes related to your job.
Don't Struggle Alone
While many students prefer to reserve online courses for their easier subjects, it is always possible to be surprised by the difficulty of a course. You may also not have an option to take a face-to-face course if you have a busy schedule or need a course that is not available locally. Make sure to familiarize yourself with all of the interactive components of your course software. Many programs include chat software and bulletin boards that allow students to help each other. Make connections in your online class just as you would with a physical class by exchanging emails, IMs and phone numbers.
Remember that you can still contact your professor if you need help. Familiarize yourself with her office hours and give her a call. Many schools have programs specifically set up to support distance-learning students. These programs may offer help with technical issues or assistance with finding a tutor who can work with you remotely. If you find that you are not receiving the assistance you need to succeed in the course, contact the department. Professors need to know if the online courses are not working in order to offer additional options.
Tags: Make sure, online course, able your, Make sure that, many students