Succeeding Online

FIDM wants all of their online students to succeed. With this in mind, we have put together a list of qualities that we look for in online students.

eLearning students should be open-minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.

Introverts as well as extroverts find that the online process requires them to utilize their experiences. This forum for communication eliminates the visual and social barriers that hinder some individuals in expressing themselves. In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before responding. The online environment should be open and friendly. Whatever you can do to avoid feeling isolated is extremely important, and participating in online discussions/chat sessions will give you access to other students who are taking the same course at the same time.

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eLearning students should not be afraid to actively participate!

Whether you are working alone or in a group, you should contribute ideas, perspective, and comments on the subject you are studying, and read about those of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course—you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you too!

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eLearning students should be able to communicate well through writing.

In eLearning courses, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that students feel comfortable in expressing themselves in writing. Many students have limited writing abilities, which should be addressed before they begin the online experience. This may require remedial efforts on the part of the student.

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eLearning students should be self-motivated and self-disciplined.

With the freedom and flexibility of the online environment comes responsibility. The online process takes a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process.

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eLearning students should not be afraid to speak up if they are having problems.

Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether students are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible in the online paradigm. If you experience difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), communicate this immediately to the appropriate person (technology problems should be addressed to the Help Desk, and questions about course content to the instructor). Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong. Remember that your professor cannot see you, so be absolutely explicit with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems understanding something about the course, you MUST speak up otherwise there is no way that anyone will know that something is wrong.

Also, if you don’t understand something, chances are several people have the same question. If other students are able to help you, they probably will, and if you are able to explain something to your classmates in need, you will not only help them out, you will reinforce your own knowledge about the subject.

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eLearning students must be willing and able to commit AT LEAST 3 hours per week per course and log on to the course at least every other day...OR a minimum of 5-6 days a week.

Once you get into the course, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course discussion group, you will get behind and find it very difficult to catch up. Online is not easier than the traditional educational process. In fact, many students will say it requires much more time and commitment. Just remember, don’t wait until the last minute to begin an assignment due the next day!

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eLearning students must have the minimum technology and educational requirements for the program.

The requirements for eLearning are no less than that of any other quality educational program. Successful students will view online as a convenient way to receive their education – not an easier way.

eLearning students should be polite and respectful online, and think ideas through before responding.

Meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of the learning process. Time is given in the process to allow for the careful consideration of responses. The testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged; you will not always be right, just be prepared to accept a challenge.

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eLearning students should feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.

If the students feel that a traditional classroom is a prerequisite to learning, they may be more comfortable in the traditional classroom. eLearning is not for everybody. A student who only wants to be on a traditional campus attending a traditional classroom is probably not going to be happy online. Even so, the level of social interaction can be very high in the virtual classroom given that many barriers come down in the online format.

And last, but not least, eLearning students must have access to a computer and a modem.

The communication medium is a computer with internet access (either by conventional phone line or broadband.) The student must have access to the necessary equipment. In addition to reviewing the technology and academic requirements for taking an online course at FIDM, the students must be sure that they have all the required software needed for their online course.

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