Prospective DE Students
How to be a Successful Online Student
The key to being a successful online learner lies in hard work and communication. Some students mistakenly think that because they do not go to a physical classroom, an online course will take less time to complete than a regular course. In reality, you can expect to spend at least three times as much time on a distance education course as you would attending class for a traditional course. In other words, if you take a class that normally meets three times a week for an hour at a time, you can expect to spend a minimum of nine hours per week working on your distance education course. This time includes your regular study time (twice the classroom time) as well as time for activities to complete instead of class attendance. Also, since you do not have face-to-face interaction regularly with your instructor, it is important that you make time to connect with your instructor using the communication tools available within the course.
Successful Students
It is important that you login to your distance education course(s) as soon as possible once the semester begins. Doing this will allow you to see the course syllabus, access the e-text and related materials, review the course navigation, and identify the assignments, exams, and other coursework required. Another reason to get started right away is that many instructors include a "Getting Started" or "Introduction" assignment, typically due the first week of the semester. Students often mention that the earlier they get started with their courses, the more comfortable they feel about meeting the course expectations.
Once you've identified the course requirements and due dates, you should schedule set times during the week to complete the work. By integrating set blocks of time for each course during the week, you can better manage all the tasks that compete for your time, such as work and family responsibilities. The learning management system also provides students with the opportunity to set notifications and reminders about course due dates to their email or within the App on their mobile device. Additionally, some instructors provide reminders utilizing other text-based Apps to help students stay on track. Many students have also found success in staying on schedule using online planners or planning Apps.
Probably the biggest mistake a distance learner can make is waiting until the last minute to get the work done. Just as in a classroom-based course, assignments have due dates and tests must be taken at a certain time, otherwise there will be consequences to your grades. Problems can also arise with the various technologies used in distance education courses, such as power outages, internet connectivity issues, computer failures, software bugs, etc. And while these technology issues are out of your control, you can avoid the most serious consequences by keeping up with your coursework weekly and not putting it off until the final deadline.
An advantage of a distance education course over a classroom-based course is your ability to use the technology to communicate with other students in your class at any time. If you have a question about something in the course, chances are good a fellow classmate has had - or will have - the same question. Most distance education instructors utilize general student discussion forums, and the learning management system also allows students to communicate through Course Messages to any or all students. This communication also builds a sense of community within the online classroom, which has proven to help students succeed.
Ultimately your professor is going to be able to help you the most in completing the course. If he or she offers online office hours or review sessions, attend as many as possible. Even if you do not have any specific questions at the time, your instructor or fellow classmates may discuss topics or provide answers to questions you hadn't considered. Check your student email account frequently as well as course messages. Additionally, don't ever hesitate to contact your instructor with any questions about the course. They won't know students have questions if no one asks!
That may seem obvious, but sometimes distance education students do not fully complete all course assignments. Students often neglect to read all the assigned e-text or supplemental readings, watch instructor lecture videos, or complete the discussion post assignments. These are essential elements of distance education courses, as they provide content and interactivity in the online environment.
In addition, these instructional features will often be the basis for upcoming quizzes, exams, or projects. Students should also take advantage of any practice quizzes or extra-credit items. These activities give you the opportunity to not only practice using the technology, but also to apply your knowledge in a less "high-stakes" environment.
Distance education, especially asynchronous courses, offers a great deal of flexibility and independence, which is necessary for many students. But adapting to distance education courses takes a good deal of dedication and involves changing the study habits most students are accustomed to. Students who adopt these habits can find success in completing their education via distance learning.
If the previous suggestions on how to succeed don't seem like they will work with your lifestyle, then distance education courses may not be the right choice for you. There are many other options for taking courses at LCCC, including day, evening, and weekend classes at our main campus or at one of our dedicated centers. One of those options might be better suited for you to complete your education successfully.