Back to School Online

Online college classes are convenient, allowing students to work around their work and home schedules. But unless you realize how different online is than "on ground" and plan for the extra time required, you may be spending a lot of money for low grades, high frustration and diminished tuition reimbursement.

These seven strategies allow you to take charge of your learning and get that piece of paper to unlock the doors to your new way of life.

1. Read the syllabus as soon as the instructor posts it, and create a calendar of activities, assignments, tests, due dates and participation requirements. When you know what papers you must write, you can set deadlines for yourself to do the research and write the draft well in advance of the final deadline. You can plan your reading, breaking it up into manageable chunks instead of trying to swallow a few chapters whole. Online work is not easier than traditional classes. In fact, it takes more time, but you can control when, where and how you make it to class.
2. There are no back row seats online. You can't sit just listen in and soak up the information, because the instructor will not be lecturing. Be present by answering questions and by adding to the discussion. Some colleges and instructors require a minimum number of discussion forum posts each week in addition to answering the questions posted. Make sure you know how many posts are expected and how detailed they should be. Use your word processor to write responses to questions, and then paste your answer into the message box, so that you can take advantage of spell and grammar checking, especially if your online class software does not do a good job of spell-check. Class posts are not as formal as research papers, but you will be judged on your command of the language even in a conversational, informal message. Be sure that your message gets across without errors.
3. Plan to spend at least half an hour online every day, even if you are not required to post a message. Adult students bring a wealth of information and experience to class. You can learn as much from the insights of your classmates as from the instructor, and you can share your experience as well. If you are used to logging in every day, you won't have as many messages to read at one time, and you will be able to follow the threads of conversation and add to them in a meaningful way.
4. If you have a problem or are confused about an assignment, email your instructor, or better yet, post a question in the classroom forum.. If you are confused, it is likely that others are confused as well. Instructors are trained to facilitate your learning. If you don't ask first, you may have to take a hit on your grade.
5. Make back up plans for various kinds of emergencies that might keep you from being able to login to your class. Hard Drives crash. Main boards short out. Make backups of your work on a jump drive or two. Your internet connection may go out. Have some other place where you can get online, such as the public library. Internet café or other public place. Many restaurants, book stores and electronics stores offer free or low cost wireless access. Plan for vacations, family visits and other events that will take you away from class by using a mobile computer or by scheduling off time between classes. If you know you will be offline for a couple of days, let your instructor and classmates know that you have not disappeared, especially if you have a learning team assignment. Get your assignments done and posted early.
6. Find out if there is a writing center resource available to you for help in editing your papers. While an electronic scan of a paper is not the same as a having a live person go over it, it does help. Writers need a second reader, even if that reader is a middle school child or a spouse or coworker. Another person can tell you what you wrote, rather than what you intended to write.
7. Most schools have access to library databases for research. Learn to use them so that you have more reliable sources than random web sites on the Internet. Also be sure that you know which of the various methods of documentation is required, and where you can get help with proper formatting.

Don't be afraid that you don't remember what you learned in high school. Even if your writing or math skills are rusty, you will find that your real life experience will make up for what you have forgotten. Students in their 30s and 40s are usually excellent students because they have learned how to manage their time, and they are focused on getting the degree, despite having full time jobs, children, and general life issues. Hang in there. You can make it.