Master of Distance Education

Graduate School of Management and Technology

Learning Online

Overview

The flexiblity of online learning is attractive to many working adults. However, it is important to know that there are unique differences between learning online versus in the classroom. We have put together this brief guide to help you get started and stay on track.

Being a Successful Online Learner

Motivation and Self-Discipline are far and away the two most important factors for online success. Keep in mind, there are no classes around which to organize your study and no in-person meetings with instructors or peers to boost your motivation. If you are a procrastinator, then online study may not be for you.

Successful online learners demonstrate their organizational skills, self-motivation, and discipline through a variety of practices.

Successful online learners:

• Start early. They do not wait a few days or weeks before they get started. They log on right away, get an overview of the course and the workload, plan their schedule, and surf around for additional resources (help desk, tutorials, etc.).
• Participate in conferences. Use conferences to gain a better understanding of the topic and to stay motivated and on schedule.
  
• Engage in study groups. Most online learning environments have a private study area where students can work together, with or without the faculty member. Use them to work on strategies for collabortive projects or run ideas by your peers.
• Capitalize on the flexible structure. The only strict deadlines are for collaborative work and assignments. Work on course material when you can give your full attention to it. Take the extra time to absorb material before moving on or return to earlier material for review.
• Ask questions. Post questions as they arise so you do not forget and let the moment pass.
• Remain curious. The course material provided online is just the beginning. Take advantage of the medium and the window it provides to electronic libraries, online catalogues, and other information that can offer a new perspective or update to course material.
• Benefit from technology. In addition to mastering the Web as a research tool, online learners know how to manipulate text, cut and paste citations, e-mail, and chat.

Tips for Success in the Online Learning Environment

Use the following tips to improve your chances of success as an online student:

• Create a workspace. Your computer and desk are your personal classroom. In addition to having the usual resources nearby (dictionary, thesaurus, APA Publication Manual), you might want to keep a 3-ring binder for each course with the syllabus, class list, articles, class discussions, etc.
  
• Take notes. Keep a notebook and pen by your computer to take notes and keep track of completed and future tasks.
  
• Engage in all the course activities and discussions. Besides keeping you motivated, it will give you practice in using the software and navigating the online environment with ease and confidence.
  
• Participate in online conferences. Make a habit of visiting the conferences regularly (daily if possible), and try to make at least one contribution or more each time you visit.
• Think through your discussion. If you discover that the conference has been very active, you might find it helpful to read through all unread messages and take notes before responding.
• Organize your responses. When you reference responses, for clarity, copy the relevant parts of the original message to which you are responding. It may be helpful to print out and review your responses before posting them online.
• Ensure clear communication. Keep an informal and clear writing style. Give your correspondents the benefit of the doubt; ask for clarification and always assume the best intentions when you don't understand a response.
• Contact your instructor. If you think you are falling behind in a course or are experiencing other types of difficulty, please do not hesitate to contact your instructor. The faculty members of the MDE program want you to succeed and are there to help you.

We wish you all the very best in your studies.

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