Technical Skills
- Choose which device you may complete coursework on (laptop, tablet, iPad, etc) and get to know what type of hardware, software, peripherals, plug-ins, and browsers best suit your needs and meet the minimum technical specifications of the college’s Learning Management System (Canvas).
- Consider using Microsoft Office 365 tutorials on basic troubleshooting and productivity software. These can be found on the Microsoft website or YouTube.
Learning Environment
- If you don’t have a dedicated study space or have difficulty concentrating in that space, consider creating a more consistent and distraction-free environment.
- Make sure you have the necessary computer equipment to participate in online classes.
Self-Motivation & Discipline
- Having a compelling reason for taking an online class will motivate you to stick with it.
- Integrate online classes into your schedule to blend your learning experience.
- Consider improving your ability to “think about thinking” (metacognition), including being aware of your own thought processes when planning, monitoring, and evaluating learning and other cognitive tasks.
- Practice metacognition with some day-to-day tasks. Which activities to do you by routine? What would it look like if you wanted to change that routine? What specific steps would help you achieve the goal?
- Apply the process to a more academic task you need to complete.
Time Management
- Set aside specific times each week for working on your online coursework, just as you would for an in-person class. Include time for reading, watching lectures, completing assignments, and studying for exams
- Log in to Canvas daily to review announcements, upcoming assignments, and deadlines. Staying informed will help you avoid missing important course updates.
- Break large assignments into smaller, manageable steps and establish a deadline for each step. This makes it easier to monitor your progress and avoid last-minute work.
- Start each week by identifying your most important assignments and upcoming deadlines. Complete high-priority tasks first.
- Avoid waiting until the assignment deadline to submit your work. Aim to complete assignments at least one day before they are due.
Communication Skills
- Practice your written and oral communication skills with exercises and feedback from a close friend.
Learning Preferences
As an online learner, you are going to use a range of strategies to get the most of your online class. Which strategies work best for you are based on the way you prefer to learn new things.
- Take the VARK (Visual, Aural, Read/Write, Kinesthetic) Questionnaire to explore how you learn best.
- Use your customized strategies and learning preferences to get the most out of your class, your instructor, and yourself.
Digital Literacy
- Explore resources related to digital citizenship, including online security, privacy protection, and credibility of content.
- A scan of recent technology news or magazines is a good place to get a general overview of current topics.
Emotional Readiness
Emotional readiness encompasses a wide range of seemingly contradictory soft skills, including communication, humility, confidence, empathy, and general maturity. Despite this, there is a basic process for understanding what you might need to build emotional resilience and cultivating the necessary skills in online learning. You may also wish to consider mindfulness practices and/or peer learning groups for support.
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Link Learning Commons – Brown Library
540-857-6202
olit@virginiawestern.edu
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