Learning online has particular challenges for students

We know that online courses are different from face-to-face ones in several ways:
  • They are flexible, so you can schedule courses around your life BUT this also means you may not have any set day or time for the course.  You need to plan when to do the readings, assignments, projects, etc. even more than in a face-to-face class.  To succeed in an online course, use best-practices for learning, things like spaced studying, self-testing, and other self-regulated learning and study skills resources noted below.
  • Knowing what the instructor expects of you is especially important for an online course. You will need to read the syllabus carefully and keep up with course announcements. Since there is no class time, you will not be reminded of assignments and deadlines in person. 
  • They can be isolating, so take opportunities to interact with your instructor and classmates when they are available.
  • Take a look around the course site to see if there are tools and resources that might be helpful.  Try a few of them out, you might be surprised how valuable they can be.  

Self-regulated learning &
​study skills resources

Evidence-based practices increase the ways you think deeply about the subject, leading to better retention and the ability to apply the learning to new problems:
  • Space your study, don't cram it all the night before a quiz or exam. Take a tip from the advisers to the Navy Seals! 
  • Take practice quizzes (or make up your own), work practice problems.  Self-testing is more effective than re-reading textbooks or notes. Here's an open-source flashcard app.
  • Organize material in a meaningful way--synthesizing, summarizing, and condensing it rather than just re-reading and highlighting it.
  • Note taking (during videos, recorded lectures):  typing or handwriting?  It depends.  Handwriting is good because it forces you to think about the material and summarize it since most of us cannot write as fast as an instructor teaches.  Online courses have the benefit of letting you replay videos as many times as you need to; so when you realize you didn't quite get a concept, rewind. 
  • Active reading improves comprehension and retention:  preview the reading to get a sense from the headings of what you will be learning, formulate questions as you read, reflect and summarize in your own words at the end. Want more reading tips?
Self-direction:
Set goals--keep them specific, measurable, achievable, and time sensitive.  What grade do you want in this course?  How often do you plan to study each week?
Make a plan. 
  1. You need some type of calendar--digital, small paper, or maybe you need to see it hanging on your wall as a visual reminder. 
  2. Gather the syllabus for every class. 
  3. One at a time, transfer any due dates to the calendar. 
  4. Then plan backwards:  if a paper is due Friday, I need to proofread it Thursday, which means I need to have a final draft on Wednesday, so my rough draft on Tuesday, so my outline and planning need to be done by Monday ..... Whatever that looks like for YOU. 
  5. Break projects into achievable chunks --researching sources, writing one section, studying one chapter, preparing for a lab. 
  6. Find blocks of time that you might be unproductive--odd amounts of time between classes, or when you are usually tired, and figure out how to make that time work for you--go to the gym, plan to meet with friends, study at a convenient place between your two classes rather than heading back to your room and getting distracted. More tips here.
  7. Schedule in healthy habits.  Research has shown that sufficient sleep improves learning.  Healthy eating, exercise, and social time are important for your overall health, too.  Make those part of your plan.
  8. Use available in-person or online resources.  Is tutoring available?  Can you get a group of friends together to study?  A writing center on campus?  Instructor office hours [seriously, please go to office hours]?
Work your plan. 
If you've done a good job on making the plan, this is easier.  

Reflect each day, each project, each week, each term: 
  1. Did I meet my goals? 
  2. Why or why not? 
  3. What can I do better next time? 
  4. Set new goals.  ​
Infographic from Illinois Online, click for more explanations 
https://online.illinois.edu/articles/online-learning/item/2015/09/16/7-tips-for-online-success

More Resources

  • Learn Anywhere has technical tips to help students navigate Canvas sites, Zoom conferences, and collaboration tools.
  • The amazing Fabiola Torres is creating short videos like how to use Canvas Inbox to connect with your instructor.  Check out her YouTube page in the coming days for more.