Success Tips for Online Students

Online learning involves a wide variety of students who all possess different backgrounds and are all taking courses for different reasons. In an online learning course, you need to become more responsible for discovery and self-learning while the teacher takes on the role of facilitator. To be successful in an online course, you should possess the following qualities:

Be self-motivated and self-disciplined

With the freedom and flexibility for the online environment comes responsibility. The online learning process is normally accelerated and requires commitment on the student's part. You need to be motivated, have good time management skills, a good work ethic, and a willingness to work through the problems and/or exercises on their own. Keeping up with the class and completing all work on time is vital.

Organize your goals in a study schedule

Online is not easier than the traditional educational process. In fact, many students will say it requires much more time and commitment. Be willing and able to commit to the set number of hours a week to this course. Identify study times when you are fresh and attentive and stick to those times every week. Think of the study times as "reserved times".

Be open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process

This forum for communication eliminates the visual barriers that hinder some individuals in expressing themselves. In addition, you are given time to reflect on the information before responding. The online environment should be open and friendly. Introverts as well as extroverts find that the online process requires them to utilize their experiences to gain the most from the course. Relating the material being studied to your personal or professional experiences will assist you in making mental connections. The more connections you can make, the easier the material will be to understand and retain.

Be able to communicate through writing

Nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that you feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing. Many students have limited writing abilities, which should be addressed before or as part of the online experience.

Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise

Many of the nonverbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether students are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible on the online paradigm. If you are experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content) you must communicate this immediately to the instructor.

Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process

The learning process requires the student to make decisions based on facts a well as experiences. Pay careful attention to the instructions and be certain that you understand what is being asked when submitting assignments or taking tests. Assimilating information and executing the right decisions requires critical thought.

Be able to think ideas through before responding

Meaningful and quality input in discussion forums is an essential part of the learning process for many courses. Time is given in the process to allow for the careful consideration of responses. The testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged; you will not always be right, just be prepared to accept a challenge.

Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to the traditional classroom

If you feel that a traditional classroom is a prerequisite to learning, you may not be happy learning Danish online. Online learning is not for everyone.