challenges of the online classroom “online” doesn’t mean “easier”

CHALLENGES OF the ONLINE CLASSROOM

“Online” Doesn’t Mean “Easier”

TIME MANAGEMENT

• Online learning doesn’t mean less time investment; you may spend MORE time studying for online courses.

• The approximation of “two hours outside class for every hour of lecture” holds true for online courses. Add the “lecture” hour to that and you have a 9-hour time commitment for a 3-credit course.

TIME MANAGEMENT• Create a study plan – Record due dates for ALL courses in one planner

or calendar– Break assignments into steps and create your own

due dates for the steps (put textbook reading down as a regular “step”)

– Create regular study times for each course and give them the same priority you give to real-time class meetings

– Look at assignments as soon as they are posted, not the day before they’re due

LEARNING that suits your STYLE• Visual?– Charts, graphs and pictures are your friend. Find

ways to map information using color and shape• Auditory?– Ah, how you miss the lecture. You didn’t realize

how much your brain relied on hearing it– Create your own lecture; recite out loud the main

points; read the textbook vigorously aloud

LEARNING that suits your STYLE• Read/Write? – Reading assignments aren’t tedious– Rewriting notes is productive– Make lists and outlines– Practice writing test questions

• Kinesthetic? (Haptic? Tactile?)– Get active: on-your-feet learning happens for you– Use a white board and dry-marker pens rather

than pencil and paper– Walk or move while you learn; create models

DISTRACTIONS

• Study at home? Same considerations as for any course structure– Designate a study place and eliminate all

distractions– Turn off the electronics, television, email, instant

messenger– Get cooperation from housemates and children– Turn the music down– Take charge of your attention, e.g., if the laundry

keeps calling you, find another place to study

PREPARING FOR EXAMS

• What resources does teacher make available?– Powerpoint presentations?– Textbook?– Outside readings?– Video lectures?– Other informational videos?– Websites?

• How will each contribute information to help you succeed on the test?

PREPARING FOR EXAMS

• For every info source that will contribute to exams:– File everything together electronically (open files

from BB and save them in a Desktop folder so you can get them if BB won’t open, e.g. syllabus)

– Date sub-folders or ID by assignment– Put copies of finished work here as well as

submitting them on BB– File email communications between class

members and between you and instructor

PREPARING FOR EXAMS– Print those items that require intense reading (I’M

SERIOUS – PRINT THEM)– Highlight key concepts in all readings (words, not

LINES of text)• Vocabulary words• Important facts• Statistics• Important theorists and their contributions• Sets (numbered lists, steps in a process, characteristics,

etc.)

– Put key info on 3x5 cards, flash-card style. Before the exam, alphabetize the pile of cards so you can easily access info

PREPARING FOR EXAMS

• If quizzes are open book/open notes, use page flags to identify the location of key passages and info in textbook and on other readings– Researcher’s name– Theoretical model name– Specific keywords

• Use colored flags (purchase these at office supply or cut up post-it note pads into ¾-inch strips

PREPARING FOR EXAMS

• The flags and highlighting will help you locate information more quickly

SELF-MOTIVATION AND PRIORITIZATION

• Use your experience in online learning to help you choose learning situations. Online is not the best learning environment for everyone

• If you have no choice, then commit yourself to managing your time, resources, and attention so you can succeed