Virtual Campus

Success Tips

Online courses differ from "on ground" courses. In traditional on ground courses the teacher lectures, while the student listens and takes notes. In online courses students are active participants in their learning: students participate in discussion groups, problem solving, and creation of course artifacts (papers, projects, guides). No one can sit on the sidelines.

1. Preview the Course
   
   Early in the course take time to read and review the course syllabus, calendar, and orientation materials. This is your best guide to understand what is going on and what is expected of you. Also at the beginning of the course, explore all the elements of the website. Click on the icons, read materials, and familiarize yourself with site. When the course pace picks up, you will feel more prepared.
    
2. Take the Program Seriously
   
   There may be times when it is difficult to focus on the coursework because of personal or professional circumstances. If you have a strong reason to take the course, it will help you through the difficult times. Seek the support of your family and friends before you start your courses. The support system will help when you have spent hours in front of a computer.
    
3. Log on Everyday
   
   Or at least 5-6 days a week. Participants can log on and leave new messages around the clock. So logging on once a day will keep you current with the changes. Once you begin posting, you will also be eager to see how your classmates have reacted.  Things can move very quickly and if you don't log on for a while, it could be difficult to catch up.
    
4. Have Space to Study
   
   This will help maintain a learning environment. Find a place that is free from distractions. If you have one spot that you always come to to login to the computer and to study, then you will be better able to keep your focus on the tasks at hand.
    
5. Maintain a Schedule
   
   Flexibility is a great benefit to an online course, but it can also be a great problem. When you don't have to be in class at a certain time, it can be possible to let things slide. An online course takes as many hours a week as an "on ground" course.  Plan on investing an appropriate amount of time for your courses and regular times in your schedule to work on it. Keep those times open only for studying. Check your course calendars and pace yourself. 
    
6. Participate
   
   Contribute your ideas, perspectives, and comments with your classmates and instructor. Read what they are writing: you can gain great insight from your classmates and instructor.
    
7. Maintain contact with your instructor
   
   Speak up if you are having problems. If you don't understand something, the chances are good that at least one other person is having the same problem and will also benefit from the answer.  If you are having problems with your schedule, are ill, or under stress, your instructor needs to know.
    
8. Think Before you Post
   
   Take advantage of your anonymity, but be polite and respectful. Communication online is not only instant, but it is also final. Don't post a response while angry. Consider the clarity of your message - have you said what you mean? The great plus to an online course is the leisure to express your thoughts exactly right before you share them. Be careful with humor - facial expressions which often go with humor are not online and thus intent can be lost. Read about internet etiquette (netiquette).
    
9. Self-Evaluate Often
   
   Re-read the course description, objectives, and calendar to see if you are keeping on task. If you want additional feedback from the instructor, ask for it.
    
10. Advocate online learning
    To be successful in this new educational environment, you must believe in its potential to provide quality education. In discussing the value of online education, you will reinforce its merits. The more clearly people understand what you are doing, the more fully they will respect you for doing it.

11. Create a Balance between School, Work and other life tasks

    It is important to make sure you do not overload yourself as you plan your class schedule. Students who take on-line courses sometimes do not realize the amount of study time that is required for a course. REMEMBER for every 3 credit class you take on-line you should be spending 9 hours studying.

12. TAKE CARE of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally when in school.

    Make sure to schedule in time each day for lunch or a snack! Get plenty of rest and exercise! If something is bothering you, talk with someone about it! It is hard to achieve your best when you don't feel your best!

13. Learn Academic Policies and Procedures

    All of the academic policies are listed on-line. It is important to familiarize yourself with these policies, for you will be held accountable to them. (At the end of the session there will be a link for the academic policies and procedures)

14. Utilize the website, student web services and email services

    Most of the questions you'll have as a student can be answered via information on the website or in your student web services account. During spring semester, Lake Superior College is adopting a mandatory email policy for students, so obtain and learn how to use your campus email account now! The more you know about how to obtain information the more confident you will be as a student.

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