If I could summarize what it takes to be a successful online
student in one word, it would be intentionality. One must be intentional in everything they do
when it comes to online learning. One of
the most important traits is to have good time management. For good time management you have to be
intentional to plan out your day, week, and semester to give you time to do
your assignments. Because most
interactions happen online in typing and can occur at any time of the day. In order to not get overwhelmed it is best to
be intentional about when, where and how you access the course.
Some of the tips that have been offered for online learning are
basic things like using a calendar, creating folders on your desktop and
browser to stay organized, and allowing extra time to read online so you can
take breaks (to avoid eye-strain). All of
these take great intentionality on the part of the student to make sure these
practices are started, but most importantly are continued over the course of
the semester and even the program.
Perhaps the biggest part of online education is the
communication and teamwork involved. You
might think online education is mostly a solo task, but that isn’t the
case. In online education there are
forums, chat rooms, video conferences, and email. Each one of these provides an opportunity to
be intentional in how one communicates.
It is all too easy when communicating in writing for things to be taken
personally or offensively when the words are disconnected from the non-verbal
cues, and tone and inflection we rely on when we speak face-to-face. These forms of communication require that one
be intentional when writing to ensure that the words are clear and
precise. It is also important that each
post is written with good grammar and spelling.
In a face-to-face class it is easy to voice opinions without
thinking too hard, or to say things in a joking or sarcastic manner. In an online education both of these aren’t good
practices. First, when we write things
down for an online class we need to be intentional about what we say. Opinions don’t do much good most of the time,
although there are no doubt times when they are appropriate. To really move the conversation forward,
comments and posts that are educated, sourced, and thought-out are best. Secondly, in terms of joking and sarcasm,
this is almost always lost in the online environment. Thus, if you don’t make it clear that you are
joking, it is best to leave it out.
One final point must be made about being intentional in the
online learning environment and that concerns teamwork. Even in online classes teamwork is used and important.
In Dr. Haycocks lecture, “Working in Teams,” he describes 7 traits of effective
teams. I won’t go into all of them, but each
one takes intentionality on the part of the individual and the team as a whole
to implement and be successful as a team.
For example, one trait is clearly defined roles and responsibilities for
each team member. This takes
intentionality during an early meeting to discuss and define each person’s
roles. Perhaps the one that caught me
off guard and really led to me consider intentionality as the most important
trait of online education is the trait that each team must establish ground
rules. Ground rules need to be in place
for how decisions will be made, what the expectations for the meetings are, what
will happen if any rules are broken, and others. I have never considered setting rules for
teams before, but it is a good thing to think about.
My experience in working with teams so far has only been in
the school environment. So far I have
never had a truly bad experience in teamwork.
I guess in that regard I am lucky.
I have found that many of these traits and tips I have done naturally. But moving forward, especially in something
new like online learning, I think it will definitely take intentionality on my
part to ensure I have a successful online experience. For me, my biggest weakness is writing
without editing or being intentional about what I put out for others to
read. So my immediate goal for the
semester to follow is be intentional in my online interacts and especially my
posts and emails.
