Success in Online CoursesLewis Stroud M.Ed.

How to succeed in online courses

▪ Persistence▪ Communication ▪ Time Management▪ Technology (become

skilled)▪ Participate▪ Be Involved

▪ Set Goals▪ Interact▪ Set Aside a Personal

Study Space▪ Motivation (getting some

and staying)▪ Family

Persistence

▪ Do not give up▪ Ask for help▪ Use all resources available – From school– Locally

▪ Look at challenges as opportunities▪ Do not overload yourself ▪ You can do this

Communication

▪ Let your family know what you are doing and why, they may want to help

▪ Inform your employer, if your education can benefit them they may work out some sort of assistance for you

▪ Talk with your academic advisor on a regular basis▪ Join conversations or discussion boards outside of your

class but related to your school and/or program

Time Management

▪ Most important▪ Set aside time to participate in class▪ Time to do research and homework▪ Review course syllabus for each course– Plan weekly goals to complete for each class– Plan ahead for each major assignment

▪ Stay on your class schedule! do not get behind in an online class it is very difficult to catch back up

Time Management

▪ Put all class events on your calendar▪ Add various timed alerts, high priority items mark

distinctly▪ To do list – Daily– Weekly

▪ Plan plan plan!!!

Technology

▪ Familiarize yourself with the technology, understand how the LMS works and what is required to participate on different levels

▪ Make friends with IT▪ Insure that the technology you have access too is

compatible (hardware and software)▪ Do the online orientation offered by your school (prior to

class start and review if necessary)▪ Check online for various tutorials (YouTube, Google, etc.)

Participate/Be Involved

▪ Be active in online chat▪ Share what you know on call discussion boards ▪ Answer others questions create a dialogue▪ Be serious on these boards▪ Reread before you post▪ Never post angry!!!!

Set Goals (SMART)

▪ Set goals – Short term that you can achieve as you go– Long term so you know where you are headed and can stay on-

track▪ SMART goal setting– Specific– Measurable– Attainable– Relevant– Time

Set Aside a Personal Study Space

▪ Make a space in your home turn it into your personal classroom

▪ Treat your online class like a face to face class▪ Set aside specific times each week for each class ▪ Go to your study space during these times and do your

classwork

Motivation

▪ Remember why you are taking these classes▪ Online classes require a strong personal motivation▪ Set up friends and family as cheerleaders▪ When you feel sluggish or unmotivated go see your

cheerleaders▪ Never ever give up!!!

Family

▪ They are your support staff▪ Make sure they understand that when you are in class

you are in class even though you are sitting at the kitchen table

▪ Before you take on any education discuss your plans with them make sure they understand the sacrifices that you make together today will make for a better future for all.

Review

▪ Persistence▪ Communication ▪ Time Management▪ Technology (become

skilled)▪ Participate▪ Be Involved

▪ Set Goals▪ Interact▪ Set Aside a Personal

Study Space▪ Motivation (getting some

and staying)▪ Family

Discussion!!!! Questions????