Strategies for success in online learning.

?The path of e?learning is taking on some likenesses in that journey of exploration as well.?As in life, no one predicted that the path would show itself easily or that the road traveled would be free of bumps along the way.?

Successful Online Students Identify Seven Tips

Students responding to the survey agreed on a number of practical steps that helped them succeed in their online courses:

1. Develop a time-management strategy.

Students were asked what time-management strategies they found most helpful. One challenge facing an online student is the self-discipline required to devote adequate time to class in courses that might not have regularly scheduled times to meet synchronously online or in person. Most students found that establishing their own schedules for class time helped them ensure enough time for class participation.

A key difference between in-person and online learning is the independence and ability to participate in the online class at a time convenient to the student. This also presents a potential problem, as procrastination could cause a student to fall behind in the online course. The graduates who participated in the study were asked how they avoided this problem. A few students (15.8 percent) commented that logging in to their course portal every day and checking for new postings or updates helped prevent them from falling behind. Other students (36.8 percent) commented that weekly assignments from the instructor kept them on a regular schedule in the course. One student explained,

You have to discipline yourself in maintaining your schedule and not allow any distractions to disrupt your plan. I would allow myself one hour of winding down from work, eat my dinner, and get to my study room. I found that if I put in about 3–4 hours of studying during the week, the weekly assignment would be completed by Thursday or Friday.

2. Make the most of online discussions.

Student interaction mostly occurs through an online threaded discussion that allows students and instructors to interact in asynchronous time. This is a significant shift for students accustomed to in-class discussions. It may provide opportunities for richer discourse through written discussion that allows students to spend time crafting their responses. When asked how they made the most of their online interaction with other students, these students mentioned some interesting techniques. One student commented, "Interacting with the other students was the fun part of my (online) classes. As much as possible, I would post a response, question, or comment to another student's posting. This built up an online relationship." Another student suggested, "Respond to several student postings, but make sure you have something meaningful to add, don't just say 'good post.' Also, don't always interact with the same few classmates. Look for something to say with various students."

Students who incorporate a plan for regular communication with their classmates into their overall course schedule will have greater success in their online course.

3. Use it or lose it.

One challenge some students face when learning online is retention of the course content. Students surveyed agreed that finding a way to apply the concepts helped them retain the information. "I applied the 'use-or-lose' technique. As soon as I'd read or study it, I put the knowledge to work through collaboration with students or at my place of employment."

One way to apply these concepts goes back to the use of the online threaded discussion. Concepts can be interpreted and restated in each student's own words in an active dialogue with others.

Another student commented that "applying the new material to what I already knew" was a helpful way to retain the material from the online course. Several successful online students mentioned that they retained what they read by developing a way to apply those concepts to a current or past experience, for example at work (31.6 percent). Just under half of the students (47.4 percent) explained that taking handwritten notes from the online text helped them retain essential points. One student explained that she "took notes from the book and micro lectures, just as if [I] were in a regular face-to-face course."

4. Make questions useful to your learning.

One student commented that "asking questions is integral to learning. By asking questions, fellow students and instructors would go deeper into the subject. Going deeper made the subject matter more understandable." The online course environment typically provides communication tools (such as threaded discussions, e-mail connectivity, and live chat) that students can use to ask in-depth questions. Students also can take the time to craft questions that may go beyond what they would ask in an in-person course, probing the subject with greater specificity. Another student explained,

Asking questions helped me to understand the material. I was a student that did not have experience in many [online] classes, but the other students did. Asking questions of some of the other students helped me understand the principles and practices professionals in the field face on a daily basis.

5. Stay motivated.

Without direct physical contact and interaction with other learners or an instructor, online students can lose their interest or motivation mid-way through their course or program. The graduates who participated in this study were asked what motivation techniques they found most helpful in preventing burnout or loss of interest when studying online. As one student put it, "keeping your eye on the prize" is always helpful. Another student commented, "The main motivator was envisioning myself in cap and gown, walking up and receiving my degree, and having all my dear family and friends in attendance."

Students also mentioned they find motivation in getting a good grade (21 percent) and in setting personal goals (42 percent). One student stated, "I always want to get an 'A' in every course I take. It doesn't matter as much in graduate school as it did as an undergraduate, but it still motivates me."

Some students took advantage of opportunities to work with other online students, using the encouragement and feedback they received from that connection to stay motivated (15.8 percent). One student explained, "I had a friend (in my online courses) that I teamed up with, and we tried hard to make sure we not only finished our assignments, but that we turned in only the highest quality work possible."

Each individual may find something different that works for him or her in staying motivated. One student promised to buy himself a new truck if he completed the degree. With a greater amount of work done independently in online courses, a new online student would be well advised to consider developing personal techniques for staying engaged, specifically by creating a self-motivation plan.

6. Communicate the instruction techniques that work.

Instructors in online courses employ a variety of techniques aimed at engaging the learner. The participants in this study discussed some of the techniques that were most successful. One student commented, "I liked instructors who logged in often and asked a lot of questions. Not only did this help to increase understanding of the subject, but it gave people the opportunity for class participation." Another student added, "One teacher went farther than I would expect, but I found his technique wonderful. He posted the initial question for discussion, and then asked us individual questions based on our answers." This technique worked well with a variety of learners (42 percent). The instructor was able to craft questions that matched the students' level of understanding of the material and provide online resources that helped them (15.7 percent).

7. Make connections with fellow students.

The participants in this study had the opportunity to share successful techniques and practices that helped them in developing their online student skills through some open-ended questions. One student mentioned that making a friend (connected with online) helped. Being part of a community of learners is helpful in courses that are taught in-person, and the same holds true for online classes (15.8 percent). One student explained that "it made a huge difference when you had good students in the class." Another student commented,

The experience was enriched greatly by the relationships and interaction with my fellow students. It amazes me how well we got to know each other even though we were often thousands of miles apart and were only virtual classmates.

I learned as much from other students and their experiences as I did from the instructors. I never expected that type of rewarding learning experience in a traditional classroom.

Using online threaded discussions in their course management system, the students can extend classroom discussions beyond the traditional boundaries of physical class time. Students in the online class may get to know one another more from recognizing the writing style and expression of thoughts and ideas rather than by physical attributes. Many students develop meaningful connections with their online classmates that can translate into career networking opportunities later.

Reading offers numerous benefits that contribute to personal growth, knowledge expansion, and overall well-being.

?

Here are some key advantages of reading:

1. Knowledge and Information: Reading exposes you to a vast range of information and knowledge. Whether you're delving into non-fiction books, news articles, or educational resources, reading helps you acquire new facts, ideas, and perspectives.

2. Vocabulary and Language Skills: Regular reading enhances your vocabulary and language skills. Exposure to different writing styles, sentence structures, and word choices helps you develop a richer and more varied linguistic repertoire, which can improve your communication abilities.

3. Mental Stimulation: Reading is a great way to exercise your brain. It stimulates critical thinking, analytical skills, and problem-solving abilities. It keeps your mind engaged and active, helping to prevent cognitive decline.

4. Imagination and Creativity: Reading fiction stimulates your imagination and transports you to different worlds and realities. It encourages creative thinking, as you visualize characters, settings, and storylines in your mind. This imaginative exercise can also foster your own creativity in other aspects of life.

5. Stress Reduction: Reading can serve as a form of escapism and relaxation. Getting lost in a good book allows you to temporarily detach from the stresses and pressures of everyday life. It can help you unwind, reduce anxiety, and promote overall mental well-being.

6. Empathy and Emotional Intelligence: Reading fiction, particularly stories with well-developed characters and complex narratives, helps you understand different perspectives and fosters empathy. It allows you to put yourself in someone else's shoes, gaining insights into their experiences, emotions, and motivations. This, in turn, can enhance your emotional intelligence and interpersonal relationships.

7. Memory Improvement: Reading regularly strengthens your memory and cognitive functions. Following intricate plots, remembering character details, and recalling information from previous chapters all contribute to improved memory retention and recall.

8. Expanded Horizons: Reading exposes you to diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences. It broadens your horizons, helping you gain a deeper understanding of the world and the people who inhabit it. This expanded knowledge and empathy can promote tolerance, acceptance, and a more inclusive mindset.

9. Enhanced Focus and Concentration: In our fast-paced digital era, reading can help improve your ability to concentrate and focus for extended periods. It requires sustained attention and can contribute to increasing your overall attention span.

10. Lifelong Learning: Reading is a lifelong journey of learning and personal development. It allows you to continuously explore new subjects, expand your interests, and engage in ongoing self-improvement.

Remember, reading is a versatile activity that can be enjoyed through various mediums, such as books, e-books, articles, blogs, and even audiobooks. So, dive into a book or article of your choice and reap the many benefits that reading has to offer!!