• Be yourself. Do not attempt to be overly formal, overly persuasive, or overly eager to belong.
• Share. Sharing requires both expressing your own feelings and experiences, but also reading and appreciating the feelings and experiences of others.
• Be willing to accept the views of others, even if they have quite different backgrounds or positions, are not as knowledgeable or capable of expressing themselves in writing, or seem to break some of the rules of netiquette.
• Don’t be afraid to express your feelings or to ask for help if you are upset by or confused about a topic.
• One experienced online community member listed being “intellectually honest” as the most important piece of advice she would give to participants in an online community. This means you should be able to look at issues from other perspectives, to make decisions based on facts and logic rather than emotion, and to constantly consider and reconsider your position and be willing to change your mind when necessary.

Guess what. It may be time to get humble. While multitasking is unavoidable or even a good thing sometimes, too much of it can really hurt your productivity and the overall quality of your work. Every time you stop focusing on the task at hand — to answer the phone or check e-mail or text —your creativity and productivity takes a hit.

In fact, once you’re interrupted you can take from 11 to 20 minutes before you can fully focus again on your work, and pick up where you left off. Interruptions can take your day away from you. Interruptions are the devil.

But you can beat that devil — with a few tools and determination. Here you go:

Tackling ruthless interruptions: 10 ways to take back your day

1. Make a list of what you want to accomplish at the start of the day, or the night before. Prioritize. Then estimate how much time it will take to do key tasks, lessons, papers, projects or assignments. Don’t forget to include scheduled meetings you must attend. Add it all up. Now, how much time can you afford to lose to interruptions?
2. Work on your most difficult task first and don’t quit until it’s done. Then start working on the rest, one at a time.
3. Create your own office hours. Set aside one or two blocks of time each day for questions and requests from co-workers or your own staff. Explain that this could be a better deal than it may appear on the surface. Why? Because you can’t give them thoughtful feedback when they just pop into your office. Promise your undivided attention during those set times. And really listen. Consider establishing other blocks of time for things that typically interrupt you throughout the day, like sorting mail or going through your in-box.
4. Turn off your e-mail notifications alerts. Check e-mail once an hour, or whatever works best for you, instead.
5. Do not get lost in Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or other social networking sites. Set aside a time to check in, and then stick to a time limit.
6. Turn off auto-generated e-mails from social networks. Do you really need to know every time someone comments on your post, changes their profile or invites you to play Mafia Wars?
7. Turn off instant messaging and chat.
8. Look at your spam e-mail settings, and consider choosing the strongest filter. If you get spam from one sender regularly, put them on your e-mail black list.
9. If you find yourself tempted to check e-mail, text a friend or make a call, practice recognizing these interruptions. Then try to resist and continue on task.
10. If an interruption is unavoidable, jot down where you are on your work, and what you planned to do next, if possible.

The next time you’re on deadline and tempted to stray from the project at hand, think about whether you want to throw away time right now — or finish the job and go home on time.

- By Online Learning Tips Staff

One way to get your confidence back is by working with your professor on some extra writing assignments. For these, don’t worry about the length – go as long or short as you link. Even a well-thought discussion post in the classroom, or on a blog may help get your confidence in the right place.

There are tons of way to work your writing muscle. Below are just a few you can use to help improve.

1. Free Association Writing —Free writing is a timed activity that is writing as much aspossible in a two- to 10-minute time span. You are encouraged to write down anything. You may get a few good ideas or you may get junk, but at least you are writing and letting your ideas come out freely without anyone judging them as right or wrong. Free writing is used frequently by writers who have a “block” where they cannot think of what to write.
2. The Art of Reading— Good readers make good writers. Take time to read a good book, whether it’s one your teacher suggests, a book version of your favorite film, or a book written by your favorite author. Reading enables you to develop your vocabulary and helps to strengthen your stylistic ability to write creatively.
   
3. Journal Writing — Journaling is a form of self-expression that millions take advantage of on a daily basis. Journaling is easy to do and creative as well. What you write could explain anything from what you did that day, to how those events made you feel, to ideas for your future, to venting frustrations about life. In some cases, people rely on journals to help them remember what they did a week ago and even to remember what the state of the world was at the time of the writing. It’s up to you whether you share the ideas or feelings you write down with anyone else.

-Online Learning Tips Staff

“Students often find they actually have more one-on-one communication from their online teacher, compared to a traditional classroom setting,” says American Public University System vice president Phil McNair.

“You aren’t limited to talking with your professor only at class time,” says McNair. “With online learning, you have access to your professor throughout the week — and often on weekends, too.”

At American Public University and American Military University — which are part of APUS — professors are required to check into their classrooms at least every 48 hours. They see student e-mails more frequently — providing for a quick and personal response. This continual feedback is unlike what students in a traditional classroom experience. Online students aren’t limited to “seeing” their professor only during class.

Students too intimidated to ask questions in a traditional classroom can become newly empowered online. And they never have to worry about being “called on” in class when they don’t have a correct answer.

“In face-to-face situations, students may need to be quick on their feet,” says McNair. “They may be afraid to hold up their hand. With online, you can take time to research the right answer, and provide a thoughtful response.

 “The electronic classroom is the great equalizer,” says McNair. 

Discussion boards provide another way for professors and students to connect. Professors post discussion topics and facilitate the exchange of ideas, research and information. This sense of community can help promote understanding of diverse opinions and create a trusted environment free of bias.

Responding to student e-mails in a timely manner, and regularly, fosters two-way communication and lets students know they really can count on their teacher.

“You have the professor’s full attention,” says McNair. “Students can ask a question or seek help via e-mail at any time, and they know they will get a direct response.”

These exchanges are central to boosting learning outcomes, because students can make sure they have a clear understanding of assignments, get guidance on what resources they should explore, and ask other questions they might not have conveyed in a traditional classroom.

At AMU and APU, classes are capped at 25 students, and most have an average of 15. Small classes allow every student to interact.

To assure that student needs are met, APU and AMU professors are “graded” too. “We get student feedback for every class with end-of-course surveys,” says McNair,“ And students can also e-mail the academics department directly with a question or concern. Someone will review their situation and provide prompt feedback.”

For students, communicating with professors via e-mail doesn’t mean ignoring spelling and grammar, or using texting shortcuts. Students should proofread their e-mails before sending, be as concise as possible, and communicate clearly.  This is college, after all, and effective communication is a key learning objective for all students.

- By Online Learning Tips Staff

This feature can be very useful for research in classes. If you have a class you need to provide current topics for discussion posts, these alerts can provide great nuggests of information that can inspire you for that week or day in class. You never know what stories you may find this way, and they get sent directly to your inbox, no searching required.

- Online Learning Tips Staff

Here are 10 time-management tips to help you succeed as an online learner.

1. Find a calendar system that works.
   Some prefer mobile devices. Others use built-in computer software and even the old standbys, paper calendars. The method is less important than the style that works for you. Choose a calendar or project management system that is reliable and easy to update. Then, populate it with every detail and deadline you need to keep yourself on track, including course deadlines, family and social obligations and more.
2. Keep your class syllabus close.
   Online learning requires self-discipline – and a good road map. The class syllabus is the road map that typically lists all the course readings, assignments and deadlines. Students refer to it throughout the course to make sure they are heading the right direction. 
3. Create your perfect study space.
   Your computer, room lighting, broadband connection, even your chair — all are key to an environment for studying and learning. There’s no need to spend a bundle at an office supply store. Just pay attention to what interrupts your focus. Then, change or eliminate it.
4. Leverage university resources.
   Online universities have many experts for students. APU, for example, offers research librarians, tutoring services and even support re: navigating the online classroom portal. A quick call or e-mail may save you time and frustration.
5. Eliminate social distractions.
   We are bombarded today with rings, beeps and pop-ups. Consider turning off your phone and logging off of social networks during study time. Even that brief look at a friend’s text message or status update interrupts your thought processes (suggest linking this to the top 10 ways to avoid interruptions article) and slows you down. 
6. Try some tricks.
   It takes some effort to keep the commitment and focus up, especially after a long day at work. A few tricks can provide a boost. For example, set a timer for 30 minutes or an hour – and don’t stop reading until it goes off. Post a dream job offer in your study space to help you remember your goal. Have energy-boosting snacks nearby, such as nuts, crunchy veggies or a healthy smoothie. Give yourself 10 minutes of a favorite activity to give your brain a rest.
7. Take a break from multi-tasking.
   One APU professor’s secret to a long career of accomplishments: He doesn’t multi-task. He has distractions like the rest of us. He has just learned how to stop, attend to another task, and then pick up where he left off. See if that technique works for you.
8. Reward yourself.
   Just the fact that you are taking courses is a tremendous accomplishment. Reward yourself along the way. Celebrate a well-written paper with a special dinner. Take the scenic route home to refresh yourself. Have coffee with a friend. Go to a movie.
9. Turn to classmates for support.
   If you’re stuck on an assignment or facing writer’s block on that research paper, turn to a fellow classmate. Her insight may help spur you on – and help you avoid wasted time.
10. Recognize when it’s not working. 
    Despite your best efforts, every night won’t be record-setting in terms of pages read, or words written. Sometimes the best choice is to stop – for an hour or for the night. Remember, earning a degree is a journey toward your goals and self-discovery. Enjoy it.

By Online Learning Tips Staff

It also may be helpful to take an interactive learning assessment quiz for insight in to how your brain prefers to gather and process experiences and information. By understanding your own personal styles, you can adapt the learning process and techniques you use for the online environment.

(source: AllOnlineSchools.com)

As you work toward graduation day — or perhaps you’ve already graduated and on your career path — what other lessons can you learn beyond the classroom? Extending your learning not only expands your knowledge, it can change the way employers, colleagues or others see you.

Is “extended learning” just a different way of describing lifelong learning? Maybe. Whatever you call it, weaving it into everyday life delivers big rewards.

Some ideas for enriching your life and studies through extended learning:

1. Make lifelong learning a passion — an ongoing adventure and a constant personal challenge.
2. Read, read, read. Go to the library — online or in town. Buy a book. Download an international newspaper on your e-reader. Search for an interesting blog. Memorize names of the president’s cabinet. Learn how a computer chip is made.
3. Take a few extra minutes to learn one new thing online every day. Search for an article from a thought leader you admire — or a subject, issue or trend that’s completely outside your specialty.
4. Participate in webcasts, or download archived webcasts. You can find thousands of webcasts, presentations or speeches online. Most are free. Look for one that helps you grow professionally or addresses something you are interested in — or passionate about. For example, American Public University’s School of Science and Technology offered a webcast recently with two faculty members who are former astronauts. Such webcasts are often open to the public, either live or in a downloadable web archive.
5. Find learning opportunities in your own hometown. Go to a professional meeting, visit a museum, join Toastmasters, or tour a local factory or business.
6. Add a new word to your vocabulary. Learn word origins. Find what a slang phrase really means. Discover the perfect word for your paper, instead of one that just “works.”
7. Get out of your comfort zone. Read or listen to a point of view very different from your own, on various subjects, issues or trends. If you aren’t generally interested in classic literature, consider a small experiment. Read a few words of Homer, one poem from Emily Dickinson, or a chapter from Moby Dick.

A passion for learning is a lovely addiction. Make it yours.

You can make notes, groups, tags, and you can share the information you found through social media channels and e-mail. This saves you time and effort when you want to reference the information on any page for classwork. When you want to use it you simply go to the site, login and choose which page with notes you were looking to use.

Just one more thing to make your online experience a little easier to maintain.

- By J. Mason

When setting a deadline, don’t schedule it for the day the assignment is really due to your professor; instead, give yourself a few days of leeway in case you run into problems or otherwise need extra time to work. Also, try to stagger your personal due dates throughout the semester so you aren’t overwhelmed with work at any one time.

(source: BestOnlineUniversities.com)