Module 2: Overview

Introduction to Module 2: How to Be A Successful Online Learner

This module provides a lot of general information on what it takes to be a good student in an online classroom.

People new to online learning will quickly see differences in how learning takes place and in the role of the student compared to a traditional classroom setting. Students in face-to-face classes may walk into the classroom, sit down in the back, and contribute very little to the class. Students may have listened and taken notes, but the rest of the class, and most notably the instructor, may have little awareness of that student’s ideas, contributions, and ultimately learning. That is a major reason why assessment of student progress normally happens via papers and assessments that are turned into the instructor.

In online courses, this dynamic is different. Every student sits in the front row of a virtual classroom. Every student is in the spotlight. Every student has the opportunity and the responsibility to be an active member of the class. This does not mean that the individual student is always “on call” to react immediately to any question an instructor or classmates have. The online environment facilitates answers backed by thought, research, and reflection before submission. Students who are more introverted can be empowered to participate in the online environment which emphasizes quality over expedience.

Thus, successful online students are ones who have the self-discipline to remain rigorously engaged despite the lack of immediacy that physical classrooms often have. Successful online students are able to motivate themselves to learn and to obtain skills and knowledge, not only to be better students, but ultimately better graduates. Successful online students are able to have this independence while also cooperating with others to reach common goals.