How To Be A Successful Online Learner (eLearner)

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How To Be A Successful Online Learner(eLearner)

• Bob Knipe
• Dean, Learning Technologies, GCC
• rgknipe_at_genesee.edu
• [phone]
• Were glad youre here today!

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How To Be A Successful Online Learner(eLearner)

• Our goals for the day
• Introductions

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How To Be A Successful Online Learner(eLearner)

• What are the major differences
• between online learning
• and
• conventional classroom learning?

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Myths Realities

• Online courses are easier

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Myths Realities

• Online courses are easier
• The evaluations, assignments, reading, discussion
  and overall academic rigor of online courses are
  the same.
• Or more.

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Myths Realities

• Online courses are more flexible

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Myths Realities

• Online courses are more flexible
• Online courses are asynchronous
• Work can be done anytime
• better for working adults jugging jobs,
  families, etc.

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Myths Realities

• Online courses are more flexible
• Online courses are asyncnronous
• But you still have to do the work!

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• I need to be a technical wizard

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• I need to be a technical wizard
• No, you dont.

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• I need to be a technical wizard
• No, you dont.
• But there are some basic needs.

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• I need to be a technical wizard.
• But there are some basic needs.
• Internet access from home.
• Broadband (dial-up will drive you nuts)
• Time and a quiet location w/o distractions to
  do your work.

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Myths Realities

• Organization time management skills are more
  important in an online course.

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Myths Realities

• Organization time management skills are more
  important in an online course.
• 91 of successful students tell us
• online courses take
• as much or more time
• than conventional courses.

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Myths Realities

• Organization time management skills are more
  important in an online course.
• 91 of successful students tell us
• online courses take
• as much or more time
• than conventional courses.
• If you dont have time for college,
• why did you register for an online course?

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• So its a matter of WHEN you do the work, not IF
  you do the work.

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Myths Realities

• So its a matter of WHEN you do the work, not IF
  you do the work.
• Lets talk about the work.

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TIME AND TASK MANAGEMENT
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Whats YOUR day look like?

• Job(s)?
• Kids?
• Classes?
• Cooking? Eating?
• Sleeping?
• Home responsibilities?
• Extended-family responsibilities?
• Social time?
• Personal time? (I need to be alone)
• Commuting?
• Church, volunteer activities?
• Military, community work?
• Exercise?
• What else eats up your day ??????

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Myths Realities

• Normal expectation for college work
• 2 hrs out of class for every 1 hr in class

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Myths Realities

• Normal expectation for college work
• 2 hrs out of class for every 1 hr in class
• 1 Cr. 1 Hr. in class (3 hours total/week)
• 3 Cr. 3 Hrs. in class (9 hrs total/week)

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Myths Realities

• Normal expectation for college work
• 2 hrs out of class for every 1 hr in class
• 1 Cr. 1 Hr. in class (3 hours total/week)
• 3 Cr. 3 Hrs. in class (9 hrs total/week)
• So a 3-cr. online course will require at least 9
  hours / week to be successful

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Myths Realities

• Normal expectation for college work
• 2 hrs out of class for every 1 hr in class
• 1 Cr. 1 Hr. in class (3 hours total/week)
• 3 Cr. 3 Hrs. in class (9 hrs total/week)
• If a 3-cr. online course requires at least 9
  hours / week a full 15 credit load 45 hours /
  week in order to be successful.

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Myths Realities

• Normal expectation for college work
• 2 hrs out of class for every 1 hr in class
• 1 Cr. 1 Hr. in class (3 hours total/week)
• 3 Cr. 3 Hrs. in class (9 hrs total/week)
• If a 3-cr. online course requires at least 9
  hours / week a full 15 credit load 45 hours /
  week in order to be successful.
• Thats a full-time job!

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How can I DO all this?

• Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize

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How can I DO all this?

• Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize
• Establish a schedule and stick to it.

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How can I DO all this?

• Prioritize, prioritize, prioritize
• Establish a schedule and stick to it.
• Be honest with others in your life about what you
  need.

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Myths Realities

• Id miss interacting with my instructor and
  classmates in an online course.

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Myths Realities

• Id miss interacting with my instructor and
  classmates in an online course.
• Well designed online courses may include textbook
  readings, instructor messaging and emails, online
  resources, web links, weekly assignments,
  reaction papers, term projects, online
  discussions, group work, field trips, phone
  calls, online quizzes exams, publisher-supplied
  materials, student presentations, reports on
  field research.

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Myths Realities

• Id miss interacting with my instructor and
  classmates in an online course.
• Well designed online courses may include textbook
  readings, instructor messaging and emails, online
  resources, web links, weekly assignments,
  reaction papers, term projects, online
  discussions, group work, field trips, phone
  calls, online quizzes exams, publisher-supplied
  materials, student presentations, reports on
  field research.
• Youll be plenty busy interacting with others!

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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course

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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course
• 10 Learning Style
• 9 Previous success with college work
• GPA, credits earned, etc.

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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course
• 8 First-time eLearning Student
• Not used to the rigors of college-level work
• May need extra support to succeed

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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course
• 7 Technical Factors
• Lack of computer / internet skills
• Lack of broadband access at home
• Inadequate tech support

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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course
• 6 Gender
• Sorry, guys!
• 5 Age

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Myths Realities
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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course
• 4 Transitional Course Needs
• 3 Engagement with the course
• Inadequate instructional design

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Myths Realities

• The top ten RISK FACTORS for NOT succeeding in an
  online course
• 2 Inappropriate advising
• Inaccurate or incomplete self-advising
• Unrealistic expectations of online learning
• Assumption of passive learning
• Overextended student
• Time management issues

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Myths Realities

• 1 Time of registration!

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Myths Realities

• 1 Time of registration!

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Other advantages of eLearning
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• Learning
• Centered

• Teaching
• Centered

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Other tips

• Set a schedule and keep to it.
• Dont procrastinate
• Solve techology and I dont get this issues
  NOW, not later
• Read the syllabus. Pay close attention to
  directions, assigments timelines
• Use a weekly planner
• Find alternative ways to the contact your
  instructor

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To The Student

• Learn your computer software. Email your
  instructor or helpdesk if youre having problems
  (http//hd.genesee.edu)
• Keep in touch regularly (even if nothings
  immediately due) - login several times / week
• Online convenience doesnt mean less work

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Success on Exams

• Payday!
• An exam isnt a threat
• its your chance to show off!

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Success on Exams

• Remember the importance of active learning (hope
  isnt a factor)
• Pay attention to wording on instructor and
  publisher generated study guides
• Develop mock exams (whats s/he gonna ask?)
• Form study groups
• Tutoring is FREE at GCC!
• Use it early, not just before an exam

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Help

• GCC Online Resources
• http//hd.genesee.edu
• http//www.genesee.edu/DL
• Email
• Your instructor! (always first)
• online_at_genesee.edu
• rgknipe_at_genesee.edu