The online classroom paved the way for easier access to education and now mobile devices are extending that reach. With Smartphones and laptops, students can interact with and process information in real-time, or at a time and place that is convenient for them. In fact, students who were raised with access to technology (referred to [...]
Many online schools incorporate tests and quizzes into the curriculum as a supplemental assessment, often as an addition to weekly assignments. A test is designed to assess what is known about the course topics and the questions can likely be answered after a review of the course materials. This sounds simple enough; however, many online [...]
These 20 videos, full of enlightening lessons from around the world, are bound to make class time more interesting.
Online students receive a lot of information throughout their courses. Most is read on a computer screen because of the nature of the materials, which are typically downloadable versions of textbooks, along with articles obtained from Internet searches and online library databases. After reading through a few of these resources, it may become clear [...]
You’re an online student balancing many responsibilities, including school work, a career, family, and other obligations. Many online students complete their work whenever they have free time – during a lunch break, at night, or on the weekends. The pressure to meet these requirements and manage other important aspects of your life can produce a [...]
Your success as an online student depends upon how well you perform and how effectively you develop supporting skill sets. Students often gauge their performance by the grades and feedback received from their instructor, which may not be received until the next assignment due date. However, to fully understand and improve your progress, you need [...]
In 2009, there were approximately 12 million college students taking courses online and that number is expected to rise to 22 million by 2014, according Ambient Insight research projections. Clearly, the online classroom is attracting many new students because it offers flexibility and convenience. But what do students need from their online courses? As an [...]
If you are considering an online degree program, what is your initial impression or belief about this type of learning? Your perception about the value and effectiveness of online learning will have a direct impact on your willingness to take an online course and work within this type of classroom environment. Some of the most [...]
Do you find it challenging at times to answer the required discussion questions? Is it difficult to think of something new to say when you need to post your participation messages? Online students may find it frustrating to create meaningful discussion question responses and interactive participation postings because these messages take time to develop. In [...]
Many students talk about “getting good grades” for their classes and this may become a source of anxiety because of the perceptions related to the outcome – especially if they do not earn an “A” and their overall grade-point average (GPA) is adversely affected. However, are grades an indicator of success for online students, and [...]
By: Erika Jaramillo After the stress of midterms and finals, the only thing on your mind is relaxation and college break. While both you and your parents may be anticipating your return home, be prepared for the possibility that things might not look or feel the same way as you remember them. This is due [...]
These blogs offer great advice, commiseration, and resources for moms of students or moms who are going back to school.
Online students are expected to complete their own work and follow the school’s code of conduct, which includes rules for academic honesty. What this means is that any time you post a message, submit a written assignment, or take an exam, it is expected that this is your product. To better understand academic honesty, [...]
By: Angelita Williams Would you like to know how your instructors evaluate your performance? As an online instructor, I can take the mystery out of the grading process and help you understand what’s required so that you can perform well by sharing the methods many instructors use when they review your discussion board postings and [...]
Humans studying humans is what anthropology essentially boils down into.
By: Erika Jaramillo Many online students have an array of different activities they have to complete throughout the day, and turning to caffeine to help them keep going is the norm. While a cup of coffee or a can of soda is fine every now and then, caffeine can have many harmful effects on your [...]
Managing the demands of your work as an online student requires a significant investment of time, energy, and effort. You are often balancing many responsibilities and you need to find time to participate in class, study, and complete your assignments. Development of an effective time management plan involves finding tools and techniques that help you [...]
Conflict is likely to occur as students interact with each other, and it can happen in a traditional or online classroom. But when conflict occurs in an online classroom, it is much harder to resolve than conflict in person because you are relying on your perception and interpretation of the other person's message. You don't [...]
Effective communication in an online class requires careful thought because when your primary means of interaction is through message board posts, it can be easy to misunderstand others and have others misunderstand you. Once you post a message, everyone can see it. You may not have an opportunity to change it or explain its meaning [...]
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Once you begin an online class, you have started the process of formal learning. What’s the difference between informal and formal learning? Informal learning is how you learn every day — through experiences and interactions, along with information received from what you’ve read and heard. It’s a passive form of learning because you are the [...]
As the idea of same-sex schools experiences a revival, critics and proponents of the notion are pointing out its weaknesses and strengths.
By: Erika Jaramillo For many students, coffee is the drink-of-choice when it comes to getting that extra pep in their step in the mornings— and especially on those late study nights. In fact, according to statistics, more than 150 million of people drink at least one cup of coffee a day. That’s a lot of [...]
Online students have a lot of information to process. When a class begins, there are assigned course materials and resources, along with additional information provided by the instructor. Discussion boards are another source of information, often with a high volume of postings. Information overload can occur as you attempt to process this information, review the [...]
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As a student, you may put off reading the textbook or any other course materials if it appears to be difficult, complex, or unappealing. What is needed in these situations is a strategy that allows you to read any type of material through the use of an analytic approach, which allows you to feel less [...]
By: Erika Jaramillo Sometimes, going off to college means traveling to an unfamiliar city or area, away from your family and friends. You may experience a severe sense of loneliness. Combine the overwhelming stress that is typically caused by excess schoolwork, and one can easily develop a case of depression. But how do you differentiate [...]
You may not realize it, but there is a basic list of needs that every person has, and there is even a specific order to those needs. Your needs influence your internal sense of self-motivation because you will act based upon what you believe is the most important unfulfilled need. One of the most popular [...]
If the phrase "critical thinking" sounds important, that’s because it is. As a student, you can improve every aspect of your performance in class, from written assignments to your contributions during discussions, by learning how to develop this skill. It is even more important for an online student because of the unique communication challenges that [...]
Understanding how you learn is as important as knowing how the process of learning occurs. Not everyone learns by picking up a book and reading through it. Some people learn better by listening and others learn better by interacting with the information they are receiving. By understanding your preferred method or learning style, you will [...]