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How to be Successful using E-learning

Whether you are taking an online course or using E-learning as part of an on-campus course, here are some tips from other students on how to be successful using Blackboard E-learning.

1. Be curious. There are many different ways to post material into your course area or to link to a discussion or quiz item. Click on things! Explore! Get to know your course area and what it contains.
2. Beware of downtime. E-learning is up most of the time. Like any other computer application, it may crash or need to go offline unexpectedly. Don't wait until the last minute to submit assignments or take a quiz. Instructors are usually very understanding, but if you've known about an assignment for two weeks, its not a very good excuse that the system was down in the last ten minutes before it was due.
3. Check your browser and your Java version. In order to use E-learning effectively, you need to use a supported browser and have a supported version of Java on your computer.
4. Don't ignore popup windows from E-learning! When you login, a persistent popup window means you are using unsupported software. Other popups announce scheduled downtimes and other information about E-learning or your course that you just might find useful.
5. It always takes longer than you think. If you have online activities to complete, remember, it always takes longer than you think.
6. Basic computer skills required! Beyond chatting with your IM software can you..
   1. create, save, find and manage files on your computer?
   2. install or remove software on your computer if you need to?
   3. send and receive e-mail attachments?
   4. access e-mail and the World Wide Web at least five times a week?
   5. copy and paste from one application to another (for example, text from a word processor into an e-mail message)?
7. Know where to get help. The OIT Help Desk can assist with technology problems. Your instructor can help with finding course material.

Tips from the trenches from online learners

If you are taking an online or hybrid course here are some tips from other students about learning online.

1. Written communication skills are essential. In the online classroom, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that you feel comfortable expressing yourself in writing.
2. Online classes require self-discipline and self-motivation. You need to check into your online course as often as you would attend a face-to-face course. A successful online student needs to be a self-starter a and possess effective time-management skills. You cannot start assignments the day they are due. Make sure you leave plenty of time to complete your work.
   
3. Is online learning compatible with your learning style? Online courses depend to a great degree on a large amount of reading, writing and independent analysis. If you do not learn best this way, you will need to stretch into new learning modes. For this reason, Internet-based courses may be more difficult than their face-to-face counterparts. Online does not mean easy.
4. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise
   Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors in a classroom, such as confusion looks, are not possible in the online environment. If you are experiencing difficulties (either with the technology or with the course content), communicate this immediately to the instructor.
5. Check the syllabus. Some online courses will require at least occasional visits to the campus. The course syllabus also lays out all the course requirements, including any textbooks, etc you need to purchase.
6. You need a broadband connection to the Internet. Dialup does not work well and is very slow.
7. Don't take an incredibly challenging course as your first on-line class. Find a subject that you are relatively comfortable with, and make that your first on-line experience. Then, as you take more challenging courses, you will already be familiar with the on-line system, and you won't spend a lot of valuable time learning how to use E-learning instead of the course content.

Student Assistance
OIT Help Desk Hours
269-387-HELP

Fall/Spring Terms
Mon-Fri:
  8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Saturday:
  noon- 4:00 pm
Sunday
  noon-10:00 pm

Summer I & II Terms
Mon-Fri:   
   8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday:   Closed

Faculty Assistance
FTCenter Hours
269-387-6958

Monday-Thursday
    9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday
    9:00 am - 4:00 pm