The Proactive Student Learns!
Online learning is not for the passive person. If you expect to sit there and have everything handed to you, you will never survive in online learning. Being proactive starts the day you sign up for your class and does not stop until your certificate is in hand.When you sign up for your course you should get an email in the first 24 hours letting you know your registration has been received and with directions on where to find what book you need, if any, and where to go to create your account for the classroom. If you don't receive it, check your spam folders. The reality of email is that it does not always make it as expected. Once you do receive an email, be sure to add the email address to your list of contacts so the email will come through next time without any problems.
If it's getting close to the first day of class and you still have not heard anything contact someone! You can find contact information on the About Us page. The classroom manager posts a message each Monday in the Classroom asking you to contact them if you have not heard from your instructor. Also, if you view the information about your course in the classroom you will see your instructor's name and can send him or her a message through the classroom letting them know you are waiting to hear from them. Chances are they are trying to contact you as well and will be glad to hear from you.
Once class starts, use the Question and Comments section of the class to post any questions or concerns you have. If you don't feel comfortable posting your question or concern there, send your instructor a message or an email. If you don't get a response, try another option. Like I said before, email does not always make it as expected. If you post a message to the classroom letting your instructor know you have a problem, they are sure to see the message there. Sometimes it is the best way to communicate because messages posted there won't disappear into the ether.
The instructors are there to help you in any way they can, but they have to know you need help before they can help. Stay in touch with your instructor. They really do want to see you succeed at your learning goals.
If you run into problems with what you are learning in class, after you post a question to the classroom, don't sit and wait for the answer. Use the resources posted in the class or use your favorite search engine to do your own research. You'd be surprised at how easy it may be to find the answer posted on a discussion board or blog somewhere. If you do find an answer, let your instructor know. You might even want to post a link to the resource so one of your classmates who might have the same question can benefit from your research.
There's an old saying that you get out of it what you put in it. It applies well to online learning, too.
posted by Peabody McGillicutty @ 5:09 PM
0 Comments
