How to Get a Better Online Education (and a Better Grade!)

It's January 2 as I write this (although I won't publish it until the first day of class 1/9), and I'm thinking about the beginning of the semester and this class.  What advice can I share with you that will give you the best chance at success in this course?  Do your best.  Of course.  Read the text book.  Given.  But what are the real secrets to getting the most out of this course.

I just read a great article from Edudemic called 5 Steps to Getting a Better Online Education. You can click on the link to read the article yourself, but I've got to say the advice is excellent!  Here's the 5 steps and my comments related to this class:



Step 1:  Get to Know the Course and Its Platform
If you've never taken an online course before--or you haven't taken one in Webcourses, spend some time with the Webcourses at UCF tutorial link from the homepage of the class.  You'll have a much better idea of where to find things as the class goes on.

Even if  you have taken a class, you probably haven't taken this one.  So go ahead, click on all the links available to see where they go and what they do.  The more familiar you are with the course and Webcourses, the better you'll do (and the faster you'll do it!)

Finally, be sure to download and print the syllabus and the course schedule.  They outline all the topics, due dates and policies.  While the schedule may change a bit as time goes on, you'll have a much better understanding of where we are headed.  You will be notified if anything in the schedule changes and the most current version of the schedule will always be available from the home page.


Step 2:  Participate! Participate!  Participate!
Of course, you'll do the assignments, but you'll do better if you go beyond that.  Use the open discussion boards, the chat, coursemail.  Contribute your ideas and tell us about what you've been thinking related to technology in education.  If you find good resources share them. Ask questions.  Answer any questions your classmates post; your help will be appreciated and hopefully reciprocated.


Step 3:  Network Like There's No Tomorrow
Talk among yourselves. You'll find people much like yourself in this class.  You'll also find people very different in background and experiences.  Talk to them all online.  Dig deep.  Really get to know them and let them get to know you.


Step 4:  Don't Leave Your Work Until the Last Minute
Ah, if I had one thing to suggest, this would be it.  If your work is due on Sunday, aim to have it done by Friday or Saturday.  Things happen:  computers crash, servers go down, power goes out, people get sick, your job demands extra hours.

Also, I suggest checking into the class at LEAST 3 times a week. Look for announcements, changes, links to resources that might help you with the assignment. Look ahead at the next module to see what might be expected.  And when there are group projects, start extra early.  Be a leader, not a follower.  Contribute your fair share and more if you can.


Step 5:  Put Your Learning Into Practice ASAP!
Find ways to apply what you're learning.  Use it in another class or in another assignment for this class. Think about ways you might demonstrate NETS*T competencies in your portfolio or in a future interview.  Bookmark the tools, links and resources you might find useful in your next courses or in your own classroom.


5 Image cc licensed ( BY NC ND ) flickr photo shared by svenwerk 
bs-iv-folie-9-gruppenzusammenarbeit cc licensed ( BY ) flickr photo shared by algogenius