Online Learning For Dummies

Online Learning For Dummies
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Identify the best online program for you Get organized to succeed at learning at a distance Be the best learner you can be Get your best education online Whether you're a college student, adult learner, or professional in continuing education, some—and sometimes all—of your learning will happen in a virtual classroom. This book is your friendly guide to the fast-growing possibilities of this world, from choosing the right course and mastering the software to polishing up your online communication and study skills. Whatever you want from your study experience—school success, professional development, or just pursuing your passion—this is your road map to online educational success! Inside… Find the right course for you Prep successfully for classes Manage time online Apply for study funding Transfer credits Master the software Get the right hardware Develop online etiquette

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Susan Manning. Online Learning For Dummies

Online Learning For Dummies® To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Online Learning For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box. Table of Contents

List of Tables

List of Illustrations

Guide

Pages

Foreword

Introduction

About This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

What You’re Not to Read

Foolish Assumptions

How This Book Is Organized

Part 1: Introducing a Different Kind of Learning

Part 2: Preparing to Be a Learner

Part 3: The Virtual Classroom: Being an A+ Student

Part 4: Special Considerations in Online Learning

Part 5: The Part of Tens

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Introducing a Different Kind of Learning

Planning for Your Online Learning Journey

Examining the Characteristics and Advantages of Online Education

The nature of online education

A few pros of online learning

Knowing the Technology and Computer Skills You Need to Succeed

Seeing How to Go About Becoming an Online Learner

Finding available courses

Evaluating programs

Applying to a program and securing the money you need

Getting accepted and preparing for class

Attitude is everything

Becoming a Star Learner

Making your way around your classroom

Meeting the instructor, fellow students, and other important folks

Communicating with clarity

Strengthening your study habits

Working well in a group

Being part of a bigger world

Minding your online manners and ethics

Completing and turning in assignments

Transitioning after you’re done with school

Looking at a Few Special Situations in Online Education

Students in kindergarten through high school

Learners with disabilities

The Traits and Benefits of Online Learning

What Makes Online Learning Different from Traditional Education?

Connecting to learning and people via the Internet

You’re not alone: Instructor-led and -facilitated courses

Okay, sometimes you’re alone: Self-paced courses

Working when it’s convenient

Asynchronous learning

THE ROOTS OF DISTANCE EDUCATION

Synchronous (real-time) learning

No loafing!

Who Benefits from Online Learning?

Adults beyond traditional college age

Professionals enhancing their careers

THE GROWTH OF ALTERNATIVE CREDENTIALS

Busy parents

People with transportation issues

People with disabilities

Traditional college students

Supplementing coursework

Taking extra credits

Sleeping in

Seniors and retirees

High school and homeschooled students

Getting a Grip on Potential Pitfalls

Online learning isn’t easier

Spontaneous, face-to-face discussions are not the norm

Determining Whether You’re Ready to Join the World of Online Learning

Assessing your own discipline

Knowing how you learn

Visual learners

Auditory learners

Tactile or kinesthetic learners

Being patient and tolerant

Trying new learning methods and technologies

Recognizing different kinds of people in the classroom

Counting to ten when you’re upset

The Equipment and Skills You Need to Succeed

Checking Your Technological Readiness

Meeting minimum hardware requirements

Processor speed

Memory

Hard drive

Monitor

Speakers and microphone

Webcam

Laptop and Chromebook

Mobile device

Meeting software requirements

Internet browser

Email access

Word processing

Virus protection software

Additional programs

Establishing a reliable Internet connection

Testing Your Technological Abilities

Reading and scrolling efficiently

Typing quickly and accurately

Organizing folders

SAVING YOUR FILES TO A CLOUD DRIVE

Navigating the web

Downloading and installing software

Using email

Staying Safe Online

Making secure payments

Remembering and protecting passwords

Ensuring personal security

Preparing to Be a Learner

Discovering What’s Available Online

Examining Different Types of Online Programs and Courses

Earning traditional credit

Credits toward undergraduate and graduate degrees

High school credits

Obtaining certifications and other credentials

Staying current or retooling for work through MOOCs

Continuing your education with a few classes for fun or profit

Personal interest

Professional development

Compliance training

Finding Out Which Institutions Offer Online Programs and Courses

Four-year colleges

Brick-and-mortar schools

Wholly online schools

Two-year colleges

COLLEGE: ONE WORD, TWO MEANINGS

Competency-based education

Other institutions for certificates, professional development, and training

Virtual schools for children and teens

Checking Out Different Structures of Online Courses

Just you and the monitor (fully online) versus blended courses (partly online)

Instructor-led courses versus self-paced courses

Instructor-led courses

Self-paced courses

Determining whether the course you want is instructor-led or self-paced

Resources you’re expected to access even for face-to-face courses

Asynchronous courses versus synchronous (real-time) courses

Finishing Your Schooling Faster with Accelerated Programs and Courses

The benefits and challenges of accelerated programs

Tips for successfully completing accelerated classes

Doing Your Homework: Evaluating Schools

Focusing On What You Need in a School

Considering the program you’re interested in

Determining whether a program is affordable

Checking out class size (and the student-to-instructor ratio)

Knowing how much time you can commit and how it may be spent

The technology learning curve

Real-time meetings

Coursework requirements

Planning ahead: Figuring out whether your credits will transfer

Bringing in credits from another institution

Switching from one online school to another

Down the road: Will institutions accept the online school’s credits?

Finding an Accredited School

Recognizing the two types of accreditation

REGIONAL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITING AGENCIES

Seeing the benefits of accreditation

Determining whether an online program is accredited

Other factors that contribute to an institution’s credibility

National awards and recognition

Leading research efforts in the field of distance education

Consortium membership

Talking to the Right People to Find the Answers You Need

Talking to an academic advisor about the school

Asking a faculty member about the program

Chatting with other students about their experiences

Narrowing Your Options

Applying to School and Securing the Cash

Applying to an Online Program

The basic application forms

Preliminary demographic information

Transcripts of your previous education

A résumé

Financial aid paperwork

Application fees

Your personal essay

What you may be asked to write

What the readers are looking for

Samples of writing

Letters of recommendation

Test scores

When it’s all due

A helping hand to assist you: The recruiter, advisor, or counselor

Calculating the Costs of Online Classes

Figuring Out How You’ll Pay for Online Classes

Do you need financial aid?

What types of financial aid are available?

Applying for Federal Financial Aid

Knowing whether you’re eligible for funds from Uncle Sam

Filling out and submitting the FAFSA

Getting Accepted and Prepping for Class

Finding Out Whether You’ve Been Accepted or Rejected

Registering for Classes

Creating a plan with your academic advisor (also known as Coach)

Picking your first classes

Choosing between traditional model and cohort model classes

Deciding on other types of class structures

Gathering the information you need in order to register

Navigating registration processes

Taking action when a course you want is full

When in doubt: Talking to your academic advisor

Getting Oriented

Determining whether an orientation is available and/or required

Distinguishing types of orientation programs

Face-to-face orientation

Online orientation

Participating in orientation

Registering for the orientation (if necessary)

Taking a virtual tour and noting important information

Buying Books

Knowing which textbooks you need

Deciding where to buy your textbooks

MORE ALPHABET SOUP: OERs

Buying new or used — that is the question

THE WAVE OF THE FUTURE: DIGITAL TEXTBOOKS

Mentally Preparing and Having a Technology Mindset

Taking On the Right Attitude

Understanding growth and fixed mindsets

Recognizing that age is just a number

Knowing the Tools You Might Use

Learning management system: LMS

Self-paced learning

Taking screen shots

On a Windows machine

On a Chromebook

On a Mac

Additional tools

Storage and the cloud

Saving what you need

You Don’t Have to Know Everything

Mastering New Tools Quickly

The Virtual Classroom: Being an A+ Student

Navigating the Learning Environment

Reaching Your Virtual Learning Environment

Using the right address and setting some Internet options

Logging in and checking out the interface

Finding your course’s home page

Locating and Understanding Critical Documents

The syllabus, or course outline

The calendar

The grading system

The grading scale

Rubrics

The late policy

Modules and More: Understanding a Course’s Content Organization

Attending Live Sessions

Discovering the value of virtual office hours

Accessing the virtual office

Meeting the People in (and Around) Your Classroom

Getting to Know the Folks Who Are Front and Center

Acquainting yourself with your instructor

Necessary credentials and training for instructors

Where you “see” your instructor

Communicating effectively with your instructor

WHAT’S IN A DOCTORATE TITLE?

Interacting with fellow students

Introducing yourself and getting to know your peers

Playing well with others

Seeing Who’s Behind the Scenes

Noting classroom guests and observers

Calling on technical support

What technical support can fix

Asking for help appropriately

What technical support can’t do (and what you can do about it)

Let me “Google that” for you

Receiving academic support

Obtaining assistance with writing

Finding a tutor for your topic or basic student skills

Developing your personal support system

Communicating Clearly Online

Checking Out Methods of Communicating Online

Instructor-to-class communication in news and announcements

Learner-to-learner communication in discussions

PORTAL, SCHMORTAL

One-on-one communication via private email or messaging

Instructor-to-learner communication

Learner-to-instructor communication

Learner-to-learner communication

Creating and Putting Forward an Online Persona

Depicting positive personality traits online

Finding a mix of serious and funny

Adding warmth to your words

Showing off leadership qualities

Avoiding a reputation as a high-maintenance person

Developing relationships

Participating in Discussions

Understanding why you’re asked to discuss

Organizing discussions in different ways

Figuring out discussion requirements

Avoiding overposting

Tapping into Social Networks

Benefitting from communicating outside the virtual classroom

Avoiding distractions

Developing Good Study Habits for Online Courses

Setting Aside Time to Learn

Working at your peak times

Checking in every day for a short time

Calculating how much time you need to finish longer tasks

REWARDING GOOD STUDY HABITS

Blocking off enough study time each week

Navigating the Web Efficiently

Keeping multiple browser windows open

Avoiding time wasted by chasing links

Using social bookmarking tools

Reading Wisely

Finding the stuff you need to read

News and announcements

Discussion postings

Assigned readings

Deciding whether to print online reading material

Increasing the font size in your browser to help you read more easily

Taking notes on what you read

Keeping track of everything you’ve already read

Visiting the Library

Accessing the library

Doing research online

Figuring out the type of material you need

Accessing online library databases

Conducting searches by subject or keyword

Determining the quality of your sources

Watching tutorials on the library site

Working Offline

Getting a Handle on Group Dynamics

Making Your Online Group Successful

Introducing yourself in a group forum

Establishing a leader and other roles

Setting up a group schedule

Meeting in real time

Using collaborative tools

Document collaboration

Web conferencing

Being patient

Resolving Conflicts

Understanding the conflicts you may encounter (and handling them)

Disagreeing on the subject matter

Finding a submission offensive

Simmering over slackers

Bringing problems to your instructor’s attention

Recognizing We Are Global

Setting the Stage for Global Learning

Meeting People around the World

Recognizing the value of cultural difference

CULTURAL DISCOMFORT

Accessing experts from anywhere

Accessing the Internet around the World

Considering residential expenses

Getting connected outside your home

Connecting at work

Connecting at coffee shops, libraries, and community centers

Being aware of restrictions

Making the Most of Your Class Time

Recognizing what’s different about online classes around the world

Adjusting for differences in time zones

Handling synchronous class meetings

Figuring out assignment due dates

Joining study groups

Understanding Netiquette and Ethical Behavior

Defining and Using Netiquette

Communicating politely and respectfully

Showing respect for other students

Respecting your instructor

Avoiding stereotyping

Recognizing the Importance of Online Ethics

Being honest in the written word

Showing integrity by following through

Respecting privacy and confidentiality

Asking before you repurpose prior work

Avoiding Plagiarism

Defining plagiarism and related concepts

Getting the facts on plagiarism

Using online tutorials

Finding help from the school library

Citing sources properly

What goes into a citation

When to cite

Citation formats

Tools for citing

Checking your own work

Using online tools

Finding a classmate to help

Institutional support

Looking at the penalties for plagiarism

Finishing and Submitting Your Assignments

Understanding the Ramifications of Rubrics

Breaking down rubrics

Using rubrics to your advantage

Writing 101

Examining different writing styles

Academic or scholarly writing

Casual conversation

Knowing what’s expected in your writing

Recognizing the type of assignment

Counting words to get the right length

Formatting correctly

Demonstrating critical thinking

Completing Different Types of Assignments

Mastering papers and projects

Papers

Projects

Participating in discussions

Quality

Quantity

Taking quizzes and tests

Submitting Assignments

Where did you store that file?

Attachments! Uploading papers and projects

Post, Emily! Submitting discussion posts

The Submit button on quizzes and tests

Tips for submitting any assignment

Understand How and When to Use Media

Using images

Using infographics

Using audio

Using video

Building a Portfolio of Work

Developing a Body of Work to Take with You

Understanding how to use an ePortfolio

Checking out typical components of an ePortfolio

Attaching artifacts such as papers and projects

Creating reflection statements

Providing informal transcripts of courses

Including recommendations from faculty

Incorporating your résumé and work history

Sharing favorite resource links

Choosing a method for creating an ePortfolio

Using institutional resources

Subscribing to a service

Creating your own ePortfolio from the ground up

Designing a successful ePortfolio

Transferring your existing portfolio to the web

Getting Help with Finding a Job

Benefiting from career services at your school

Perusing general job search sites

Establishing networks while studying online

Special Considerations in Online Learning

Educating Students from Kindergarten through High School

Understanding Why Kids Are Attending School Online

Wanting to be online

Needing to be online

Seeing the Differences between K-12 and Adult Online Education

Safety concerns with children

Enhanced parental involvement

More real-time opportunities

The need to work offline

WHAT? NO DIPLOMA?

Checking Out Different Kinds of Virtual Schools for Kids and Teens

State-funded schools

The basics of how state-funded schools work

UNDERSTANDING CURRICULA AND STATE MANDATES

A classic example: The Florida Virtual School

Outsourced instruction and charter schools

Private online schools

Going Through the K-12 Enrollment Process

Finding the right classes

Confirming credits before taking classes

Understanding articulation agreements

CAN YOU GO TO HIGH SCHOOL AS AN ADULT?

Accessibility in Online Education

Determining Whether the Courses You Want to Take Are Accessible

Do the courses follow accessibility standards?

Commonly used guidelines

DEFINING “DISABILITY” ACCORDING TO THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT

Examples of accessibility

Are the courses tested for accessibility?

How will the school help me if I cannot access information in a course?

Disclosing a Disability to Your Chosen Online School

Understanding why and when you need to disclose

Figuring out what information to disclose

Keeping privacy in mind

WORKING IN A GROUP WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS A DISABILITY

Using Assistive Technology Online

Reading web pages with screen readers

Transcribing and captioning audio and video files

Considering accommodation options for synchronous sessions

The Part of Tens

Ten Myths about Online Learning

Online Learning Is Anytime/Anywhere

Only Kids Take Online Courses

An Online Course Is a Helpful Way to Learn How to Use Your Computer

You Must Be a Computer Geek to Take an Online Course

Online Learning Is Easier than Face-to-Face Classes

Online Courses Are Lower in Quality than Face-to-Face Courses

Online Learning Is Always Independent

Online Learning Is Less Personal than Traditional Learning

You Need a Webcam for an Online Class

Everyone Cheats Online

Ten Best Practices for Online Learners — Including Self-Care

Treat Learning Like It’s a Job

It’s Not a Sprint — It’s a Marathon

Manage Your Own Expectations

Your Calendar Is Your Best Friend

Advocate for Yourself: Ask for Help

Be Present in Class (And Let Your Instructor Know)

Give Constructive Feedback

It’s Okay to Take a Break

Sleep Is Good for You

Say Thank You

Index. A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

About the Authors

Dedication

Time and Space

Author’s Acknowledgments

WILEY END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

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When I think of the sixty online instructors that I have supervised since 1996, at the top of the list are Dr. Susan Manning and Kevin Bowersox-Johnson. Both are award-winning online instructors with over twenty years of experience designing and teaching online courses and certificates using a consistent application of proven best practices in online learning.

Above all, the authors understand how to coach and mentor newbie online students in becoming proficient online learners.

.....

Online courses employ two standards of writing: formal and casual. Being able to follow the instructor’s cue and write according to the standard of each particular course is important. For the most part, though, initial discussion posts and assignments use formal writing skills, whereas responses to peers and questions are much more conversational.

Chapter 11 has full details on how to communicate clearly online.

.....

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