STUDY TIPS for ON-LINE LEARNING
The distance class is different from the traditional on-campus class and brings its own challenges. Oftentimes students think distance classes will be easier or less time-consuming, because they don't have to go to class. What they find out is that distance classes often take more time, more planning, and more dedicated effort than on-campus classes.
Experienced distance students often say that it is not the content of the course—the readings, the assignments, the papers—that makes a distance class difficult. It's managing the course that is the problem—keeping up, meeting deadlines, organizing the work. Planning and scheduling the time to work on the course and keeping up with the syllabus are crucial.
· Set aside a regular scheduled time to study—as if you were attending class—and keep to that schedule.
Be generous with the time you allot for studying. For on-campus students, the flexible rule-of-thumb is two hours of study time outside of class for every hour in class. Distance students, therefore, need to schedule six to nine hours of study time per week for a three-credit class. If you find you need less time, that's fine; just make sure you've scheduled enough time.
· Read the syllabus and all the course information carefully as soon as you have access to the Blackboard course. Understand what you're getting into: know the instructor's expectations; be certain of what is required or optional. Use the course resources—tutoring through the Learning Center, the Library, websites, additional readings—the instructor has provided.
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· Keep up with the syllabus. This is crucial. Do not let assignments pile up until the end. Complete the reading and assignments on time, participate in forums or discussion when posted, and meet all deadlines. Get a scheduler and note all due dates for papers, exams, etc. Plan ahead by breaking big projects into manageable steps with mini-deadlines. If your instructor has not given you fixed deadlines, create your own so that you distribute the work over time.
· Stay in touch. "Being silent" is like cutting class, and instructors have little patience with students who do not communicate for weeks on end. Also, it's easy to feel isolated and distant in the online environment. Counter that by being an active, regular participant in the course.
