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Organizing Your Workspace
Before you start doing work...
- Your instructor may suggest that you use a notebook/binder to store the materials that you are instructed to keep throughout the course.
- Create a electronic folder on your computer in which to keep assignments.
- Choose a work space at home equipped with pencils, pens, paper, electronic copies of your work, a calculator, and a printer.
- Carefully review the instructional syllabus and instructor contact information. These items will answer the three most frequently asked questions, "What have I done in the course?," "Where am I supposed to be in the course?," and "How can I reach my teacher?."
Organizing Your Time
Managing time is the greatest challenge when taking an online course. Here are some tips for making the most of your time.
- Make a schedule.
Completing lessons and assignments for online courses, is usually equivalent to that of a face-to-face course. Some students have found that online courses may even require additional time compared to a face-to-face course. For most students, it is helpful to establish daily routine in which to work on course requirements.
- Become familiar with your teacher's schedule.
Although the course is available 24/7, the instructor will be available only during the established office hours. Each online instructor will post his/her cellular phone office hours on your course site.
Maximizing Your Learning
- Check your e-mail DAILY. This is the instructor's means of communicating with you.
- Check your Updates Widget (which will include new items and E-mail deliveries). Also check for new announcements and your pager alert for any incoming instant messages.You may have a note from the teacher that will change what you work on for the day.
- Check your work for feedback. Any work with a zero or low grade should have comments on how you can improve your grade.
- Look at your schedule and decide what lesson you want to complete during your work time. Go to the lesson. Read and take advantage of your teacher's live chats, telephone office hours, and other opportunities to ask for help.
- Contact the teacher if you are not getting it. Refer to your resource materials for assistance.
- Review the lessons covered in the assessment BEFORE you take a scheduled quiz or test. If the work has not been graded, DO NOT take the quiz or test. Move on to another assignment. You should NEVER take a quiz or test without getting feedback from your teacher on the material.
- Check your gradebook at least once a week. Consult with the teacher via e-mail or during "telephone office hours" as needed.
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