Preparing to be an Online Learner

Found a PowerPoint out there entitled “How to Become a Great Online Student” by Lynne Fukuda from the University of Hawaii at Hilo. Judging from the recommendation for “at least Windows 98” I’d say it’s been out there a while. It seems meant as an introduction for college students new to online classes, and I thought it would be interesting as a starting off point for research. Some of the basic ideas I found relevant were these:

• “Patience, maturity, and perseverance” are requirements for online learning
• Preference for “self-paced study” and “being responsible for your own work” are useful traits
• Students may need to learn new skills before they are ready for an online class
• A sense of disconnection can cause difficulties for learning...however...
• Because communication methods are different, interaction may seem more personal and there may be more opportunity for individual attention

The main downside of the presentation is that it is dated; some of the points made are fairly common knowledge now (e.g.: you need a fast connection speed). The only other criticism that I would mention is that some of what is included as being specific to online learning is, IMHO, equally applicable to the classroom (e.g.: it can be a problem if you don’t like the teaching style of the instructor). Otherwise, I’m making use of this resource as a jumping off point for some thoughts...

In addition to being ready for the level of course content, an online learner will benefit from having a good selection of the following tools, traits, and skills. (Keep in mind that I’m thinking in terms of college level coursework here; would love to see comments from those with K-12 experience.)

Tools!

• An up-to-date computer—a laptop, preferably, with lots of RAM and storage space; the appropriate software (including virus protection)
• The best Internet connection you can get
• A quiet space where you can work without interruption
• Headphones (webcam optional but fun)
• A second monitor is highly recommended (after a short time, you will wonder how you ever functioned without one)

Traits!

• As above… Patience, maturity, perseverance (no kidding)
• Ready to learn lots of new things
• Open to new ways of working and learning
• Self-motivating and conscientious
• Attention to detail

Skills!

• Well beyond “basic computer skills” (as listed in the resource); best to be comfortable with many kinds of software and able to do a bit of troubleshooting when needed
• Ability to manage multiple media (audio & video files, web page creation, etc.)
• Chat room practice; discussion board practice
• Ability to locate, assess, and track resources online
• Good writing skills
• The ability to be a good correspondent
• The ability to write briefly (not my strongest suit)
• The ability to think and respond quickly (also NMSS)
• The ability to type quickly and accurately
• Strong organizational skills
• Knowledge of Netiquette

OK, another bit of criticism, or just disappointment, on the presentation. Very little is mentioned about how learning preferences and personality traits impact the online learning experience. This is a subject I am curious about, and I will need to keep looking. Only one statement, which I have heard elsewhere as well: “The online environment allows for anonymity, and shy students participate more.” I’ll skip over my dislike of the use of “shy” and simply state that this seems a bit of a throwaway assertion. The environment of an online class doesn’t necessarily (and possibly shouldn’t) provide the anonymity that can be found in other online environments. One might argue that an online class requires careful planning to ensure that same anonymity is not part of the student experience. We’ll get back to that.

Seriously, for those who think taking an online class is one great way to lighten one’s load, I recommend that you reconsider. Online learning is more like being in class (or feeling like you should be) 24 hours a day. There will likely be both synchronous and asynchronous activities to keep track of. You will also likely engage in activities that require learning new software and maybe even hardware. You’ll probably have class time (via chat), reading assignments, writing assignments, and group assignments (yes, online groups), just like most classroom-based courses. The difference is that all these otherwise familiar activities take place in a new time-space continuum. Drawing a discussion out over days or weeks on a discussion board provides lots of time for reflection and extra research; it can also leave you feeling as if you have not contributed nearly as much as you would have liked. You may walk around wondering if you’re missed something whenever you leave your computer. Or maybe that’s just me.

In general, wanna-be online students, prepare yourselves. Get some practice using the hardware and software and performing the various activities before beginning a class. In addition, expect to put in more effort, not less. Be ready to contribute as much as you can manage, and most importantly, keep your sense of humor. (Insert fav emoticon here.)

Introduction

Cheers, all! I’m starting this blog for a doctoral program project; ideally it will connect up with expanded future work and continue with a life of its own. This will be a journey for me, as I am an online student for the first time this fall (though an online learner in some respects for much longer; more about that below). Have spent much time as student and as teacher/facilitator of learning in the classroom, library, and other physical spaces. I am, however, new to this particular investigation, and welcome contributions and questions. Let’s learn together!

On Online Learning
And just how are we going to define online learning, anyway? The two words together seem nearly redundant. As far as I can tell, I am learning constantly when I’m online. It’s like wandering the stacks at the library, where you can pull any book or periodical that catches your eye off the shelf, browse or peruse to your heart’s content, and usually learn something in the process. The learning is self-directed (or sometimes perhaps web-directed as we click on whatever catches our eye). We learn both how to use the web and how others use it, as well as all sorts of new ideas and old knowledge.

Sure, the sites you find on the web are not pre-approved; there’s no professional librarian or teacher saying this is what you should look at and here’s why. There’s much more commercialism mixed in; maybe it’s more like a cross between a library and a bookstore. And just like in the “real world,” there are lots of questionable sources, snake oil salespeople, and untrustworthy strangers. Learning to be selective and discerning of web resources is one of the first skills you need to learn. It goes without saying that you can find web resources on that.

http://www.csuchico.edu/lins/handouts/eval_websites.pdf

Online, you’re part of a very large and loose community with an abundance of smaller, overlapping communities. Everyone has something to share, something to teach you. You can lurk about on any number of discussion boards or email groups, learning all you want by watching. You can gradually or rapidly get as involved as you want by contributing your own ideas and knowledge. And just like that, you are not just learning but providing others with the opportunity to learn as well.

Social Learning vs. Traditional Learning
As soon as we start talking about online learning, we run smack into a very interesting question. Well, I know what you mean by online, but what do you mean by learning? The phrase online learning prompts many to think immediately about the ways and means of converting the classroom experience—creating an online version of the lectures, discussions, assignments, and tests that are part of a traditional class, whether that be K12, high school, or university. An instructor, with his or her piles of syllabi or lesson plans nearby, starts typing and scanning and posting. Ho-Hum. Drain the face to face interaction and funnel the content onto a server. If it were that simple, what did we need all that face-to-face time for in the first place? Why didn’t we have more correspondence schools before the Internet arose? Hmmm… Much room for learning and discussion here.

So Where to Begin?
I have a whole list of possible topics and directions for this blog. Here are some:

• E-Learning Vs. Blended Learning
• Browsing Vs. Perusing (How To Eat A Poem; How To Surf Like A Dolphin)
• Learning The Tools Vs. Learning To Use The Internet Well
• Online Learning and Standardized Testing (e.g.: MBTI, Johnson O’Connor)
• Computer Anxiety and Online Learning

Well, that all will take a while to cover! After much contemplation and discussion, I’ve decided first to head off in the direction of this question: “How do I prepare to be a great online learner? What skills do I need, and how do I develop them?” To this end, I will examine several resources on the topic and report back here on my findings. If I exhaust that topic (notice I said IF), another will most certainly take its place. (One that falls to mind immediately is: “How do I prepare to be a great online teacher or facilitator? What skills do I need and how do I develop them?”)

So thanks for participating—even if you’re just reading! I’m off to learn something.