Here are some tips for succeeding in your online courses:
Stay Connected: reach out to your instructors, teaching assistants and peers when you need help or have a question.
Limit Distractions: Claim a space in your home and stick to the routine.
Set Aside Time: Make sure you can spend the time needed to do a good job on the course.
Be Self-motivated and Self-disciplined. You will need to log into your course(s) regularly. It’s easy to fall behind in an online course. Create your weekly work calendar; stick to it and don’t be afraid to re-adjust.
Participate and share your experience, ideas, and perspective with your instructor and other students.
Be able to communicate through writing and use good “netiquette” when communicating online.
Be willing to “speak up” if problems arise. Your instructor needs to know right away if you are having any problems with the technology or the course requirements.
Netiquette
When participating in online classes you will be speaking through writing and, at times, through audio or video to your instructors and fellow students, so it is imperative that you communicate clearly and professionally. Setting and following these simple netiquette rules in your online class will ensure your success.
Show respect for the instructor and for other students in the class
Respect the privacy of other students
Express differences of opinion in a polite, rational, and professional way
Share constructive feedback when commenting on the work of other students
Avoid bringing up irrelevant topics when involved in group discussions or other collaborative activities
Unacceptable Behaviors
The following list summarizes the kind of behavior that is not acceptable. Each item listed below could be brought forth for judicial action and possible removal from the class.
Showing disrespect for the instructor or for other students in the class
Sending messages or comments that are threatening, harassing, unprofessional, or offensive
Using inappropriate or offensive language
Conveying a hostile or confrontational tone when communicating or working collaboratively with other students
USING ALL-UPPERCASE WORDS IN MESSAGES OR DISCUSSION TEXT -- THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT OF SHOUTING!
If your professor feels that a student is violating any of the above guidelines, the student will be contacted to discuss the situation privately. If you feel that a fellow student is behaving inappropriately, send your professor a private email message explaining the situation as soon as possible.