Online Classes

In the modern world, there is a strong emphasis on earning a degree or certification to prepare you for working or for getting better work. This mean, that there are many people all the time taking classes. Some take classes in person but others may not be able to do that. In order to fit the schedules of students who cannot come to a campus, for a variety of reasons, there are online classes as part of distance education. Online classes allow much more flexibility about when you do the learning and course work for a class you are taking. This can be especially helpful for a person whose work or life schedule is at odds with the schedule of attending in person classes on a campus. However, there are other things to consider. Some people may not excel in an online class. I will tell you some things that will help you succeed in an online course.

For any online course there will technological requirements. The specifics of what you need will be different for each course and the teacher will tell you what they are. Some basics of technology that you can expect to use in an online course are: a computer of some sort. You can use a desktop, laptop, or tablet for many courses, and you can sometimes even use a smart phone to post simple things. Also, you will likely need access to a word processor program, such as Microsoft Word. With these and possibly other simple tools, you can access and complete the course work for most online classes.

For this step of the webquest, in order to better prepare you to for success in an online course, I would like you to do two writing exercises.

First, I would like you to write a 1-2 page reflective self-evaluation regarding what you perceive to be potential strengths you will have in an online course setting; as well as what potential challenges you will face in completing the online course. In doing this task, consider the above mentioned requirement for online classes, as well as brain storming some other possible aspects about an online course.  Consider all aspects of an online course with a thought of “I think that I will be good a task X  because________” or “I can foresee X aspect being a challenge because______”. Do not simply right that all will be easy and think your task is complete.

 Following that task, please write a 1-2 pages action plan, detailing how you intend to meet and overcome the hurdles you foresee in your taking an online course. If you would like some direction on forming an action plan, there is a link below that you can click and then read that page.

https://blog.udemy.com/how-to-write-an-action-plan/The process for this will be two steps: first the Reflection and then the Action Plan. This process will help you approach this task in an organized manner. Upon completion of these two tasks, please turn them in to me by the due date.

The expected result that you will have from this webquest is that you will have a better understanding of what you will need and what to do in order to have a successful experience in an online course.

 Consistent Time Management: You need to be good with how you use your time. This is the first thing that came to my mind when considering this task. It is perhaps the most important aspect that will help you attain success in an online course. When you manage you time well, setting aside regular times each week or day to do the course work, you ensure that you will show full participation, and allow yourself the time needed to do all the reading and understand the material.This is a link to a youtube video that can help you understand time mannment and develop a better habit of it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4YVLkuRBe8 

Written Communication Skills: You need to be able to write in a way to express yourself clearly. Many online classes require not only that you write and turn things in to the teacher online, but also class discussion is carried out online as well. Class forums are common in online classes which you must have prepared your own remarks on the course materials, and also read and respond to your peers remarks as well.This youtube video will present to you 5 ways to improve your academic writing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgkRoYPLhts

Self-driven desire to learn: It must be your own will and desire to do this work that drives you. There will be no guilt at entering the classroom late to motivate you to be on time, no fear of not handing in a paper the day it is due to move you to complete work on time, and there will be no teacher talking at you in class. The impetus must be your own desire to learn the material. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauPOYgc4MI

How you perfom at these tasks will be  assessed and determined not only by your instructors for an online class; but also by you. You must reflect on your progress. This is key to doing well in an online course.

http://www.csbsju.edu/Documents/Academic%20Affairs/faculty/documents/Sa…

Having read the information and watched the videos, you should now have better understanding of what will be expected of you in an online class and how to do well with those expecttions. Online classes can offer many benefits to a student who works or has other obligations. However, to get the most out of this type of class, you must manage your time well, write well, and be self motivated.