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The content delivered as part of an online course and the way in which you prove that you’re learning that content may vary widely. This list describes a few common formats:

 Read material, engage in online discussions with classmates, and then submit papers or projects at the end of the term. This is probably the most common design. You complete the work when it’s convenient for you but within the guidelines established by the instructor. For instance, if the instructor says that you need to post discussions by Monday at midnight, you can work through the weekend and get your ideas posted to the discussion board before you begin your workweek. These courses are often facilitated by an instructor (they’re referred to as instructor-led) who not only shares their expertise in the field but also helps guide you through the entire online learning process.

 Read material and then take a test. This is our least favorite method, and many students find it horribly dull. However, for some subjects, you can zip through the basic background information quickly and move on. You typically have little interaction with your peers. As a matter of fact, in some self-paced courses, you have no interaction with peers and little interaction with the instructor.

 Read materials, log in to a real-time web conference, and then listen to the instructor or interact with peers. You may take a test or submit papers later to demonstrate your understanding. This synchronous (real-time) method of online learning has become quite popular, especially for workplace training and professional development. However, it requires you to adjust your schedule to accommodate the class, just as you would a traditional class. These courses are also instructor-led and sometimes include peer presentations as well.

In Chapter 2, we provide more examples of how the nature of online education is unique. However, we want to emphasize an attitudinal shift in online learning: The learner (you!) must assume responsibility for learning the material. There’s no cyberprof in the room to nag you or tell you when it’s time to log in. Of course, wonderfully encouraging and compassionate faculty want to see you succeed, and they communicate with you regularly to keep you engaged, but the nature of online learning requires the student to take charge and complete the work.

So, what kind of learner thrives in this kind of educational landscape?

 A person who needs flexibility in terms of when courses are offered: If you have no free moments until 11 P.m. because of competing life demands but you really want to learn, an online course you can complete at 1 A.m. may work. (We hope you get to sleep in until later in the morning!)

 A person who comfortably sets their own agenda and manages their time well: If you’re good at crafting a plan and sticking to it, online learning may be for you. Though the instructor may provide a schedule and deadlines for assignments, you have to work them into your lifestyle.

 A person who has strong reading and writing skills: Because much of what you need to know comes by way of textbooks or web pages, you need to be a decent reader before taking an online course. In addition, the way you show that you know the material requires writing summaries and short essays. Clear, concise written communication skills earn you an A.

 A person who’s comfortable with technology: Later in this chapter, we say more about this topic, but the bottom line is that an online course requires familiarity with your computer. This isn’t the place to learn about the computer.