Use ALL of your Resources

One of the advantages of learning online is the wealth of resources available to you. In the classroom you have the teacher and maybe the book, if it's a good one. If your teacher allows you to talk in class you may also have your fellow students as a resource. And certainly NONE of those is available to you when it comes time to show what you have learned.

When you learn online you have a great variety of resources. I have found from my own experience that my learning is enriched the more resources I make use of.

Book - For most of the classes the main source of content is the book. The teacher here do a great job of choosing books that serve you well in class and serve as a great reference after the class.

Content - The content can frequently provide a different point of view from the book or a better explanation than what the book offers. I really appreciate the different approach or explanation and I always find a learn a thing or two I missed in the book.

Resources - The online resources provide great tips and further explanation of the topics. I sometimes spend the largest time in working through a lesson just reading all the resources and other links I find.

Classmates - It seems like each of has a different application for the course material. I love looking through the Assignments and reading the discussions posted by my classmates. I like hearing the different points of view and seeing all the ways the content can be applied. I am even grateful when a classmate asks a question that I was puzzling over myself. And it's great when a classmate answers a question I have posted. This is one learning environment where it is allowed - and encouraged - to talk to your classmates!

Yourself - I think in learning online you discover that your greatest resource is your own resourcefulness! Since you cannot usually get an instantaneous response, learning to use the other resources and doing your own research on the topic can be the greatest boost to your understanding of the topic. The class will end, but if you learn to rely on yourself to learn, answer questions and solve problems you have a valuable resource for life.

Teacher - Last - and definitely LEAST is your teacher. LEAST you ask? Yes, least. If you look at the online learning environment you find that the teacher is usually the least available resource you have. Yes, you can ask your teacher just about anything and get an answer but the answer may take a while and it may not be the answer you need if you did not do a good job in asking your question.

Before you ask your teacher for help, spend some time with your other resources:

• Check the Content and Resources for the lesson.
• Check the Questions and Comments for the lesson to see if a classmate asked the same question.
• Use your favorite search engine to research the topic.
• Post your question to the Question and Comments for the lesson and see if a classmate will answer. Even if the teacher answers you have left a resource for a classmate who may have the same question.

And the real joy is all of those resources are at your disposal to help with all the activities you complete for a lesson!

Labels: Students

posted by Peabody McGillicutty @ 6:11 PM