Online Learning Tips » interactive learning

Buddy Up

ksmith — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 02:52:37 +0000

Distance learning can seem a lot less overwhelming when you have someone to work with. Find another person who is new to online learning and wants to take the same class. You can ask each other questions, figure out technology problems and just provide a virtual shoulder to cry on if your partner is discouraged or frustrated.

If you aren’t sure whether you can find someone else who’s taking the class to team up with, don’t worry. Almost all online classes offer some way for students to meet up virtually and you will probably discover two or three other students who would love to work as a team during one of these online activities.

(source: Suite101.com)

Each One, Teach One

ksmith — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 02:20:04 +0000

Educators have long noted that one of the best ways to learn something is to teach it to someone else. Remember your seventh-grade presentation on Costa Rica? By teaching to the rest of the class, your teacher hoped you would gain even more from the assignment. You can apply the same principle today by sharing your newly learned skills and knowledge with others.

Start by translating the information into your own words. This process alone helps solidify new knowledge in your brain. Next, find some way to share what you’ve learned. Some ideas include writing a blog post, creating a podcast or participating in a group discussion.

(source: About.com)

Making it Over the Hump

ksmith — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:05:28 +0000

Wednesday is the sigh of relief for most people in the workforce. Once the day is over you’re about in the clear for the weekend where you can rest and forget about your responsibilities from that week. This may be true for some, but for most, especially online learners, it’s unrealistic. Most students need to have assignments submitted by Sunday, others have to have classwork posted by Wednesday.

Regardless of the day, there is no slowing down once you hit the hump of the week. The best way to avoid the sluggish pull of a lazy weekend is to tackle your assignments early so you can go out and play. Just like back in grade school, no TV or playing until your homework is done. The same should hold true now, even though you have may have a demanding job and a family at home. Wednesday shouldn’t be the day of the week where you slow down, instead use it to speed up and get your work in early.

-Online Learning Tips Staff

Rules of “Netiquette”

ksmith — Wed, 21 Apr 2010 02:20:15 +0000

Netiquette, although a fairly new term, has quickly become a commonly used buzzword surrounding online education. When taking an online course, your communication skills and how you interact with your classmates will play a key role in your success. Take a look at five important netiquette rules you should follow in an online course or education environment.

1- Be friendly, positive and self-reflective. When people cannot see you, and also do not know you, feelings can be hurt if you are not careful in how you express yourself. The old saying, think before you speak is important here. Think before you write. One word of advice is do not respond when you feel angry. Wait. Write it down somewhere and come back to it. When you do, you may find that you no longer feel the same way as you did when you wrote it, because you have had time to reflect about the situation. Last, if you still feel the need to be heard, then edit before you post, and write it in terms that are easily embraced. This is also true when you feel a critique is necessary, say it in a positive tone. Reread what you have written to be sure it is positive.

2- Use proper language and titles. Do not use slang or even profane words in an online education environment, even if they are words you consider, “not so bad,” as they will sound offensive to the reader. Do not refer to your professor as “Doc” or by his or her first name, unless it is acceptable with him or her to do so. Also, do not use caps lock when writing. It will insinuate yelling. That would hurt someone’s feelings and possibly give him or her the wrong impression of you.

3- Use effective communication. This takes practice and thoughtful writing. Try to speak and write clearly at all times. Again, reread before you respond. Define and restate your words when necessary. Correct a misunderstanding right away. Chances are, if one person felt a certain way about what you said, then another may have as well. Likewise, be mindful of chosen words and joking. Let’s say for example, I write, “get out!” This slang term can be interpreted in several ways, either positively or negatively.

4- Professionalism. Leave the characters like smiley faces, and instant message abbreviations out. Your friends may like it, but chances are, your professor will not. Save it for personal conversations or definitely ask for permission before using them. They may be interpreted as childish or too casual for the online education environment. Last, always say please and thank you.

5- Ask for clarification. If you are unsure of what was said, or the instructor’s directive, or are trying to interpret a person’s expressions, then ask again. Do not sit in silence either misunderstanding or feeling offended. Do not interrupt though, wait until there is a break in the conversation, or until the open interaction occurs. Your instructor will appreciate your responsiveness and maturity. A simple way to do this is to say (or write), “I did not understand…”, always keeping the onus for the misunderstanding on yourself.

(Source: BrightHub.com)

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Try . . . Then Try Again

ksmith — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 20:46:26 +0000

If you do not have much experience using computers or the Internet, it is completely normal to need additional help while you are getting used to the online learning environment. You are not alone.

Before you hit the “send” button on that e-mail to the IT help desk, see if you can find solutions or discover new features on your own . Learning by doing is one of the most effective techniques many people use with technology. Whether you’re navigating a new laptop, a computer app you’re still not quite familiar with (Windows 2007 anyone?) or your online classroom, you’ll be surprised at how much you are able to teach yourself in a very short period of time.

- Online Learning Tips Staff

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Upcoming Live Events – Civil War Webcast Series

J. Mason — Mon, 12 Apr 2010 18:55:42 +0000

American Military University has partnered with the Weider History Group for a great series of webcasts centered around the Civil War. Topics range from the common soldier of the Civil War, weaponry, Battle of Shiloh, and an in-depth discussion of the bloodiest battle in Civil War history, the Battle of Gettysburg.

The first event in this exciting new series:

The Common Soldier of the Civil War
War through the eyes of Billy Yank and Johnny Reb
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET

While the names and stories of many Civil War heroes often come to mind, have you ever wondered about the common soldier of the Civil War?

This webcast will bring to light what it was to be a common soldier of the Civil War, including statistics about the troops, prewar occupations, motivating factors, weaponry, and the solders’ quotes that lived through the war. Learn more >

Upcoming Civil War Webcasts:

The Battle of Shiloh
- A battle that introduced carnage to the Civil War
- Thursday, May 6, 2010 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
- Register for this event >
The Battle of Gettysburg
- Interpreting the bloodiest battle of the Civil War
- Tuesday, May 18, 2010 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. ET
- Register for this event >

Learn From Your Peers

ksmith — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 04:00:14 +0000

One advantage of the online learning environment – believe it or not – is that you have more interaction with your peers. Most online classes have a discussion question/interaction assignment each week. These are the same types of questions that would be brought up in class. However, in the online environment, EVERYONE has the opportunity (ok, requirement) to both “speak” about the topic and comment on his/her peers’ discussion input. You learn not only academic tidbits that may not be in the “book” or in your research, but you gain the knowledge of real life experiences from others. Often, you do not have this type of discussion opportunity in resident classrooms.

(source: NurseTogether.com)

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Secrets to Being a Successful Online Learner

J. Mason — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 13:41:44 +0000

Like they say about sports stars, entrepreneurs, and movie celebrities “How do they do it?” Even though being an online learner may not be as glamorous as the aforementioned careers, it can still be very demanding, and at times mind-boggling to watch how people handle all of their activities and maintain a healthy and steady GPA.

Recently I came across an article in EDUCAUSE Quarterly that details how some high performing online students are able to juggle the daily grind, family life, social life, and a demanding degree program.

Some tried and tested techniques that they outline are:

Develop a time-management strategy.
Make the most of online discussions. (This is referring to student interaction through forums, social media groups, and discussion threads.)
Use it or lose it.
Make questions useful to your learning.
Stay motivated.
Communicate the instruction techniques that work.
Make connections with fellow students and participate.

My pick this week is dedicated to hard-working online learners who are constantly trying to educate themselves and make a difference in their lives. Everyone can be part of the extended learning experience, it may take some life balancing, but in the long run the rewards are worth some temporary concessions and sacrifices.

- By J. Mason

Tip of the Day: Teach What You’ve Learned

ksmith — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:34:13 +0000

(source: About.com)

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Tip of the Day: Be Assertive

ksmith — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 02:50:10 +0000

Assertiveness and initiative are qualities needed for success in online learning. You need to take the initiative to ask questions and resolve problems that the instructor may not be able to perceive. Many of the non-verbal cues that instructors use to determine whether a student is not understanding are not as available in an online class as they are in face-to-face learning environments.

If you experience difficulty on any level, either with the technology or with the course content, you need to communicate your concerns immediately, otherwise the instructor will not know how to help.

(source: University of West Florida)

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