Study Skills
Distance Learning can take on
many different forms. It is important you are prepared to utilize your
study skills and are prepared for what distance courses are all about.
Tips for distance learning success:*
-
Communicate: Participate
in online chatting and conferencing whenever you can. It is important
you feel a connection with the class in which you are participating.
Make sure you make connections with your classmates and your professor
to optimize your course performance.
-
Participate:Just
because you are not in the classroom does not mean you do not have to
contribute to class discussion. Contribute your ideas, and read about
the viewpoints of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source
of information in your course--you can gain great insight from your peers
and they can learn from you as well.
-
Gain support:
Elicit the support of your colleagues, family, and friends before your
start your distance learning adventure. It is important to have this
built in support-system so they understand how important your course
work is and can respect what you are trying to do.
-
Private space:it is important with distance learning that you give yourself a private space,
where you can shut the door, and work in peace if necessary. If you
try to share study space with the dining room or bedroom, food or sleep
will take priority over studying.
- Log-in:It
is important to log-in to WebCT close to every day so you can stay
abreast of what is going on in the class. If you let too many days
go by without
logging on to your course discussion group, you will get behind
and find it difficult to catch up.
-
Speak up: Remember
that your professor cannot see you, so you must be absolutely explicit
with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties,
or problems understanding something about the course, you must
speak up otherwise there is no way that anyone will know that something
is wrong.
Also, don't be afraid to ask questions if you don't understand
course concepts. This will not only help you, but your classmates as
well.
-
Apply what you learn: It is important to make connections between what you are learning and what
is going on in the workplace. This will help you remember the knowledge
more quickly and will help you internalize what you are learning.
-
Think before you send: Did you say just what you meant? How will the person on the other end read the
words? While you can't anticipate all reactions, do read over what
you've written before you send it.
-
Be Patient: As
much as your instructor will try to be prompt in answering questions,
please do not expect instantaneous responses to your inquiries.
Learn how to set break points in your study, so that you can return
exactly
to the point when your question is answered. Be patient with yourself
as well; give the material a chance to soak in.
-
Plagiarism: cheating
and other violations of ethical student behavior are serious actions
in the distance learning environment. Please look at Iowa State Universities policies and procedures to verify you are not successfully following the policies in place.
*Adapted
from the Illinois Online Network& Texas A & M Tips for Online Courses
