Four Questions to Ask For Online Class Success

Four Questions (with Answers) About Online Learning Success

Am I ready for online learning?

• Online learning is not for everyone. There are numerous online tests you can take to determine if online learning is a good fit. You can also review this list of 8 tips from Northeastern University for taking online classes.
• You need to have consistent and reliable access to the Internet. Courses with video presentations may also require a microphone and webcam.
• Purchase your textbook(s) from the campus bookstore or use the campus bookstore’s online site to find out what text(s) your instructor has ordered for your class
• Make sure your student finances are in order and do not miss payment deadlines – you may get dropped from your courses and lose your spot!
• Contact your instructor with any questions you have about the course using your college email address.
• Get ready to log into your online courses on the first day so you do not miss important announcements and deadlines.

Is this the right course for me?

• Locate the syllabus, schedule, and other key documents in your online course.
• Instructors typically have a “Getting Started” module with key documents. It is a good idea to print these in the event you encounter technical difficulties or lose Internet access.
• The first few days of the semester is partly about deciding if you are in the right online courses. Pay attention to the format of each class, the expected workload, and the feeling you get for the teaching style and atmosphere.
• Be realistic: if you think that the class is not a good fit for you (or maybe just not a good fit this semester), consider dropping it and adding a different class. Do this as soon as possible so that you do not fall behind!
•  Consider meeting with a financial aid advisor and/or academic advisor before dropping an online course.
• Students can be dropped from online courses for non-attendance within the first 1-2 weeks of the course. Students establish attendance in an online course by completing any academic activity before the “drop for non-attendance” deadline.
• Examples of academic activities include participation in a content-related discussion, quiz, or assignment.
• Simply logging into the course site does not count as attendance, nor does introducing yourself to the class.

What software tools do I need for my online courses?

• Identify the specific software tools that your instructor will be using in the course by logging into the Learning Management System (LMS).
• Review instructional videos about how to use the LMS provided by the college or university.
• Videos and support for popular LMS platforms such as Canvas, Desire2Learn (D2L), and Blackboard are available on the companies’ websites and are usually provided by the college.
• Contact the college’s 24/7 online help desk if you encounter any technical issues or need password assistance.

How any days per week do I need to participate in the class?

• Plan on logging into the course at least two to three times per week to complete quizzes and discussions.
• Take note of the key dates in each online course in a planner so you know the busier times of the semester. Make a realistic schedule to balance your online course work with family, job, and social schedules.
• It is easy to fall into an “out of sight, out of mind” mentality with online courses. Make sure you are building time into your schedule each week to access your online courses. Some instructors have a requirement to log in a certain number of days each week.
• Know the availability periods for content items in each online course you are taking.
• Many weekly activities run from Monday to Sunday. This may vary from course to course.
• You will be more successful if you start activities earlier in the week rather than at the last minute.
• Refer to your instructor’s discussion grading rubric to ensure you are complying with their expectations for your posts. Participation in discussion topics may be penalized if they come too late in the availability period.
• Communicate with your instructors right away if you are having trouble managing your time or keeping up with activities. They can help develop a success plan for you.

Please contact me if you need help preparing for your online classes. I would be glad to schedule a free 30-minute consultation to address your questions about starting online classes. I have been teaching college classes online for more than 15 years and understand how students can be successful.

Thank you! Dr. Fisher