IBC Online Studies: A Student’s Guide to Success

Since learning through computer mediation at a distance is different than learning in a traditional classroom, students with the following characteristics and attitudes tend to learn more successfully and effectively in online courses.

Students who possess many of these skills have excellent online learning experiences. If you don’t have all of them, don’t worry! If you are self-motivated and disciplined, you already have the most important ones. You can learn many of the rest of these skills as you go.

• Students who take more responsibility for their own learning; students with a multi-modal learning style, a great deal of self-motivation and self-discipline and who do not procrastinate
• Students who have good writing skills or are willing to take the time to improve their writing skills
• Students who realize that just because an online course is more convenient does not mean it’s easier
• Students who have developed successful time-management skills, log in to online classes every day and commit to 4-15 hours per week per course
• Students who commit to completing assignments by the deadlines
• Students who enjoy and do well with critical thinking and decision making and who pay attention to details
• Students who are not fearful of technology and who have access to good computer equipment and the Internet
• Students who aren’t afraid to ask questions if there is a problem, a concern or a misunderstanding
• Students who participate appropriately in online social atmospheres, who are polite and respectful of others online

From the standpoint of taking classes online, here are the most important things to consider as you start out:

1. Read everything sequentially; don’t skip around. Read the course syllabus, including visiting and reading every link in the syllabus. Read the class schedule and again, visit and read every link in the schedule. If you do this, it will decrease the number of questions you’ll have. You are responsible for all this information and the policies contained therein.
2. There are firm deadlines for every assignment. Your online courses may require a good deal of preparation work, research and writing. Managing your time around these deadlines will increase your chances of being successful. Our desire is to see you do well and succeed in the class. That is why doing your work ahead of time is so important!