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Online Learning Tips

The freedom and flexibility of the online class environment requires that students be self-directed to ensure a successful learning experience. Online learning is accelerated and requires preparation, commitment and organization. These suggestions may support your success.

Understand your learning style

Your learning style is the way in which you characteristically acquire, retain and retrieve information. Understanding your individualized learning style will help you determine the most effective methods and strategies to learn new information.

Discover your learning style by taking a learning styles questionnaire from North Carolina State University.

Before classes begin

  • Prepare your home and work computers to function with Blackboard.
  • Consider using headphones when listening to webcast lectures.
  • Tour your courses in Blackboard.
  • Print out the course syllabus and course materials as needed.

During class

  • Check your Blackboard course sites every day for possible announcements.
  • Carry course materials with you to conferences or on trips and access the Blackboard site.
  • Communicate with faculty if you are experiencing difficulties with course content or are unable to meet course deadlines.

Discussion board

  • When posting new discussion topics, ensure the topic hasn't already been posted. Respond and comment on current topics using the thread that's already started. This will help people follow the flow of information without having to jump from one discussion to another.
  • Treat interactions that you have on the online discussion board as if they were face to face — write using a professional and respectful tone.
  • Write in complete and logical sentences.
  • Use correct spelling, grammar, capitalization and punctuation. Since Blackboard does not have a spell check feature, consider composing your discussions in Microsoft Word, using spell-checker, and then copying and pasting the text into the discussion board.
  • Whenever possible, support your views with references, links or personal experiences.
  • April 20, 2012
  • ART015904