Online Learning For Dummies

Susan Manning, Kevin E. Johnson

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN: 9781119756866
• eBook ISBN: 9781119756880
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Education
• Subtopic: Inclusive Education

Get great grades from a distance

New to online academia and need someone to show you around? You're in the right place—and you're not alone! As more of everything goes online—fueled by tech trends as well as unexpected events like the COVID-19 crisis—it's no surprise that many of us are getting our educations there, too. Online Learning For Dummies is here to welcome you to the gigantic (and gigantically exciting!) virtual campus, and help you get settled in by providing an overview of the endless opportunities offered by distance learning, as well as offering practical advice to make sure you have the right equipment, mindset, and study techniques for success.

In a step-by-step style, this friendly guide takes you from the process of determining what sort of online program is right for you, through applying and enrolling, to building the skills you'll need to succeed. You'll learn how to navigate the common features of the online learning classroom, explore the digital etiquette that will help you get the most out of your instructors and fellow students, and discover how to effectively and professionally present your work. You'll also find out how to develop good online study habits to help you avoid distraction, and how to set aside undisturbed time in between juggling the demands of work, family, and social life.

• Evaluate the latest courses and opportunities
• Make sure you have the correct hardware and software
• Develop your online study skills via best practices
• Avoid digital fatigue

Regardless of age or experience, we can all do with a few pointers on how to get more from the vast array of educational opportunities offered online. This book has them all: Get reading, get online, and get the most from that education you've been dreaming about.

Part 1

Introducing a Different Kind of Learning

IN THIS PART …

Explore the online learning landscape

Evaluate the benefits of online learning

Gauge your own online learning aptitude

Examine the technical requirements for effective online learning

Chapter 1

Planning for Your Online Learning Journey

IN THIS CHAPTER

Seeing what online learning is all about

Walking through the process of becoming an online learner

Finding out what it takes to succeed in online classes

Looking at special populations that may benefit from online courses

Hello, and welcome to the world of online learning. We are excited that you picked up this book to help you jump into online learning and what it takes to succeed in the online classroom. In this book, we explore the ins and outs of online learning. We share personal stories, from both instructor and student perspectives, as a way to help you understand what is expected of learners and overcome the sometimes false expectations of new online learners. We want to be clear that this relates to learning via a college course as well as learning via workplace training; in either scenario, the shift to learning online requires new skills.

You may have some specific questions about online learning, such as these examples:

• What is online learning, and how does it differ from the traditional face-to-face classroom?
• Which institutions offer online programs or courses, and how do I find them?
• What type of computer and technological skills do I need in order to be a successful online learner?
• What kind of work will I be expected to do, how will I complete that work, and how will I be graded?
• What resources are available if I need help?

Our hope is that we have created a resource that answers these questions and more in order to help you succeed as an online learner. In this chapter, you begin your journey into the virtual world of online learning.

Examining the Characteristics and Advantages of Online Education

In a nutshell, online learning is using the Internet to support learning. It is about connecting the learner to educational materials by way of the Internet. Online learning combines a student (you), a curriculum (determined by the school or instructor or trainer), and an Internet connection. In this section, we introduce a few traits and benefits of online learning; we cover both topics in more detail in Chapter 2.

The nature of online education

The content delivered as part of an online course and the way in which you prove that you’re learning that content may vary widely. This list describes a few common formats:

• Read material, engage in online discussions with classmates, and then submit papers or projects at the end of the term. This is probably the most common design. You complete the work when it’s convenient for you but within the guidelines established by the instructor. For instance, if the instructor says that you need to post discussions by Monday at midnight, you can work through the weekend and get your ideas posted to the discussion board before you begin your workweek. These courses are often facilitated by an instructor (they’re referred to as instructor-led) who not only shares their expertise in the field but also helps guide you through the entire online learning process.
• Read material and then take a test. This is our least favorite method, and many students find it horribly dull. However, for some subjects, you can zip through the basic background information quickly and move on. You typically have little interaction with your peers. As a matter of fact, in some self-paced courses, you have no interaction with peers and little interaction with the instructor.
• Read materials, log in to a real-time web conference, and then listen to the instructor or interact with peers. You may take a test or submit papers later to demonstrate your understanding. This synchronous (real-time) method of online learning has become quite popular, especially for workplace training and professional development. However, it requires you to adjust your schedule to accommodate the class, just as you would a traditional class. These courses are also instructor-led and sometimes include peer presentations as well.

In Chapter 2, we provide more examples of how the nature of online education is unique. However, we want to emphasize an attitudinal shift in online learning: The learner (you!) must assume responsibility for learning the material. There’s no cyberprof in the room to nag you or tell you when it’s time to log in. Of course, wonderfully encouraging and compassionate faculty want to see you succeed, and they communicate with you regularly to keep you engaged, but the nature of online learning requires the student to take charge and complete the work.

So, what kind of learner thrives in this kind of educational landscape?

• A person who needs flexibility in terms of when courses are offered: If you have no free moments until 11 P.m. because of competing life demands but you really want to learn, an online course you can complete at 1 A.m. may work. (We hope you get to sleep in until later in the morning!)
• A person who comfortably sets their own agenda and manages their time well: If you’re good at crafting a plan and sticking to it, online learning may be for you. Though the instructor may provide a schedule and deadlines for assignments, you have to work them into your lifestyle.
• A person who has strong reading and writing skills: Because much of what you need to know comes by way of textbooks or web pages, you need to be a decent reader before taking an online course. In addition, the way you show that you know the material requires writing summaries and short essays. Clear, concise written communication skills earn you an A.
• A person who’s comfortable with technology: Later in this chapter, we say more about this topic, but the bottom line is that an online course requires familiarity with your computer. This isn’t the place to learn about the computer.

A few pros of online learning

Online courses and opportunities to learn have been steadily growing in popularity for the past decade. Here are just a few reasons online learning is popular:

• You can work around your schedule. Who isn’t triple-scheduled these days with demands of work, family, and community? Few of us have large blocks of time available for classes, but we may have an hour here or there. In an online course, you can log in and work whenever it fits into your schedule. You may find that studying for an hour first thing in the morning or over your lunch break is just what you need to get you back into the academic groove.
• You can save time and money by not having to commute to school. Even if your local college is five miles from your home, the process of packing up your gear, getting to the school, finding parking, and walking to the classroom takes 30 minutes. Save the gas money and time, and study from home!
• In some cases, courses are accelerated and you complete the degree or program sooner. A mixed blessing, many online programs have accelerated a traditional semester-long course into 8 weeks. Though you may take only one course at a time (or two, over the course of a 16-week semester), these courses move fast! The good news is that these kinds of programs typically run year-round and advance students through degrees and certificate programs faster than they would otherwise. (Flip to Chapter 4 for more information on accelerated classes.)
• Some of the pettiness and bias between students in traditional classes gets left behind in the online world. No one knows whether you are shy, speak with a lisp, or sport multiple tattoos when you’re an online student. What others care about are your ideas and how you communicate these ideas about the course material. Many students find this situation liberating.

Knowing the Technology and Computer Skills You Need to Succeed

Many nontraditional or adult students shy away from online education because they’re afraid their computer skills aren’t sufficient or they worry that they need a state-of-the-art computer. Don’t let these thoughts scare you away from reaching your academic goals. Most institutions provide technological support and detailed lists of hardware, software, and competency requirements. Family, friends, and your local library also can serve as excellent backups when technology breaks or your Internet access is lost.

Don’t get us wrong, though: A few minimum requirements must be met in order to adequately learn online. Chapter 3 describes the technology you need and all the skills necessary to be an online learner. In short, persons taking online courses should have access to the following basic hardware and software:

• A computer with monitor, keyboard, and mouse (a laptop counts!)
• Access to a reliable Internet connection
• A web browser (for example...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title Page
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• Introduction
• Part 1: Introducing a Different Kind of Learning
• Part 2: Preparing to Be a Learner
• Part 3: The Virtual Classroom: Being an A+ Student
• Part 4: Special Considerations in Online Learning
• Part 5: The Part of Tens
• Index
• About the Authors
• Advertisement Page
• Connect with Dummies
• End User License Agreement