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