How can you support online learners and instructors?

1 Know your platform

Before you start an online course, make sure you familiarize yourself with the online learning platform that you will use. This may include learning how to access the course materials, communicate with your instructor and peers, submit assignments, take quizzes, and track your progress. You may also want to check the technical requirements, such as the internet speed, browser compatibility, and software updates, to avoid any glitches or interruptions. If you have any questions or issues, contact the technical support or your instructor as soon as possible.

2 Manage your time

Online learning requires a lot of self-discipline and motivation, as you have to set your own pace and schedule. To manage your time effectively, you need to plan ahead, set realistic goals, and prioritize your tasks. You may want to use a calendar, a planner, or a to-do list to keep track of your deadlines, assignments, and activities. You may also want to create a regular routine and stick to it, as well as allocate some time for breaks and relaxation. Avoid procrastination, distraction, and multitasking, as they can reduce your focus and productivity.

3 Engage with your instructor

Your instructor is your guide and mentor in the online learning process, so you should make an effort to engage with them and seek their feedback and support. You can do this by participating in the online discussions, asking questions, sharing your opinions, and completing the assignments on time. You can also reach out to your instructor via email, chat, or video call, if you need any clarification, assistance, or advice. You should also respect your instructor's expectations, rules, and policies, and communicate with them in a polite and professional manner.

4 Collaborate with your peers

Online learning can sometimes feel isolating and lonely, so you should try to collaborate with your peers and build a sense of community. You can do this by joining the online forums, groups, or chats, where you can interact with other learners, exchange ideas, share resources, and support each other. You can also work on group projects, assignments, or activities, where you can learn from each other, develop teamwork skills, and enhance your learning outcomes. You should also respect your peers' perspectives, opinions, and backgrounds, and communicate with them in a respectful and constructive way.

5 Use various resources

Online learning offers you access to a wide range of resources that can enrich your learning experience and help you achieve your goals. You can use various resources, such as videos, podcasts, articles, blogs, ebooks, websites, or online tools, to supplement your course materials, explore different topics, deepen your understanding, and expand your skills. You can also use resources that can help you improve your study skills, such as note-taking, reading comprehension, memory, or test-taking strategies. You should also evaluate the quality, credibility, and relevance of the resources that you use, and cite them properly if you use them in your assignments.

6 Reflect on your learning

Online learning requires you to be an active and self-directed learner, who can monitor and evaluate your own learning process and progress. You can do this by reflecting on your learning, which means thinking about what you have learned, how you have learned, and what you can do to improve your learning. You can use various methods to reflect on your learning, such as journals, portfolios, self-assessments, or feedback. You can also use reflection to identify your strengths, weaknesses, interests, and goals, and to plan your next steps and actions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?