Student Success Online
Have you wondered what skills will make you a successful online learner?
We’ll walk you through some of the differences between online learning and in-person courses, and provide tips to be successful.
Overview
Reading and communication skills are two areas where there are big differences when it comes to online learning. If you’re used to in-person learning, what can you do to succeed in an online format?
In addition to the reading and communication tips on this page, it may be helpful to review the traits that make students successful online learners to find out if online learning is right for you.
Tips for Online Reading and Communication
Reading online isn’t the same as reading in print, so you should practice some strategies to improve your online reading comprehension and speed. Effective communication skills are essential in your online course.
Online Reading
In an online learning environment, you’ll probably do more reading than listening. Some of your reading might come from printed books, textbooks, or novels. But a lot of it will also be online, like webpages or articles. Reading online is different from reading on paper, so it’s helpful to learn some strategies to better understand and read faster on a screen.
- When you read something printed by a well-known publisher, you can usually trust that it’s reliable. The author had to go through editors and checks before it was published. But online, anyone can post anything. That means you need to think carefully about whether the information is trustworthy. Look at who wrote it—can you find their name? Do they have experience or knowledge in the topic?
- Printed books often include pictures or charts to help explain the text. Online reading can include those things too, but it might also have links, videos, or sound. This makes online reading more interactive. You can click, watch, or listen to things that help you understand the topic better.
- When you read a printed book, you usually read from beginning to end. You might check the index or a footnote, but the path is mostly straight. Online, it’s different. You might click a link and suddenly be reading something new. This can take you in a different direction and change how you explore the topic.
What Are the “Why, What, and How” of Reading Comprehension?
Now that you’ve learned how reading online is different from reading on paper, it’s important to know that this can affect how well you understand what you read. This is called reading comprehension—your ability to understand and use what you’re reading. Getting better at online reading comprehension can save you time and help you feel less frustrated when doing your schoolwork. It can also help you enjoy your classes more and do better on quizzes and tests.
Thinking about the why, what, and how while you read can really help you understand the material better. It only takes a few minutes, but it can make a big difference in how much you remember and how well you take notes.
Why Am I Being Asked To Read This?
Think about the instructions your teacher gave you. What is the purpose of this reading?
What Am I Supposed To Learn From This?
What are the main ideas or questions in the text? What should you remember for class?
How Will I Remember What I Just Read?
Usually, this means taking notes and writing down important words or ideas.
Distractions
Here are a few quick tips on how to avoid distractions when reading online.
- To read more quickly and efficiently online, try to avoid distractions like ads, pop-ups, or hyperlinks that will lead you away from your assignment.
- Another tactic you can try is to scan the page before actually reading, focusing on keywords and phrases rather than every single word.
- You can also set a timer for focused reading sessions. Try reading for 20–25 minutes at a time, then take a short break. This helps you stay focused and gives your brain time to rest.
Online Communication
Effective communication skills are essential in your online course. You’ll communicate with your instructor and other students in your class in several ways. Consider asking yourself these questions: Am I willing to be an engaged learner? Am I willing to actively participate online? Am I ready to learn? Am I willing to make the necessary changes to ensure my academic success? Am I willing to reach out to seek clarity and ask questions of my instructors? Of my peers?
Communication Types
There are two types of communication used in online learning.
- “Asynchronous communication” is when you, your classmates, and your instructor participate in online discussions at different times rather than in real-time. So if you send your instructor a question via email or join an online discussion forum, you communicate asynchronously.
- “Synchronous communication” happens in real-time, like having a class discussion in a traditional setting or talking to a teacher after class. But you can also communicate synchronously online through tools like Teams or Zoom.
Be Engaging
In Chat
Canvas and Teams provide a text-based chat feature that will allow you to exchange messages with others online at the same time as you. Sometimes instructors will use the chat feature as a way to hold office hours or a study session. Because chat happens in real-time, there is a sense of immediate gratification—you don’t have to wait several hours (or more) for a response like you might have with email.
In Discussions
The discussion board (known as a discussion forum) is one of the most popular features in Canvas, and it’s one place where your asynchronous classroom discussions can occur. Your instructor may post the first message (or prompt) and ask students to reply to their initial post, or they may choose to allow students to post a topic (or thread) and engage the class in the online conversation that way. Both methods are equally effective, and discussions in your online courses are likely to vary, just like your discussions in a traditional class can differ depending on your instructor and their personal teaching style.
In Video Conferencing
Zoom and Microsoft Teams are video conferencing software applications that support larger groups. They can provide a virtual experience that closely replicates an on-campus classroom. Your instructor may decide to use one of these tools to schedule a webinar with the class. Your computer can truly become a window into a live classroom where students and instructors can interact and collaborate at the same time.
Be Netiquette savvy
Finally, “netiquette” is the accepted way to communicate online—it’s the code of online etiquette you should abide by, especially in an academic or professional setting. This goes for both synchronous and asynchronous communication. Netiquette includes respectful behavior, appropriate language, and acknowledging other people’s privacy interests. Remember, your classroom discussions should be much more formal than the type of discussions you may have with your friends on Facebook or Twitter.
Be Your Own Editor
- Check your spelling, and grammar, and proofread your work.
- Maybe even say it out loud, to be sure you are conveying your intended message. Poor grammar and misspelled words are unprofessional and reflect poorly on you and your message.
- A suggestion is to type your message or information into MS Word, apply the spell and grammar checker, make changes, then copy and paste the text to your communication source. Always proofread your messages and posts!
- Use clear and concise messaging.
- You do not have the opportunity to use body language while communicating electronically, and people may misinterpret your message if you do not write with a good tone.
- Do not write/type using confrontational, rude, foul-mouthed messages or ALL CAPS (means shouting!).
Be Aware of Your Tone
- Notice your tone in your text, audio, video, and images.
- Ask yourself: Am I considering diversity, equity, and inclusion?
- Who is my audience? Is my work accessible?
- The wrong words can leave a bad impression and upset the reader.
- Always check your paper/assignment to ensure it is polite and neutral regarding requests and conveying information.
Be Professional
- Avoid getting into arguments. This happens often and results from the ease of sending a message while upset and out of spite or revenge.
- Also, avoid giving examples that are too private. Politics, medical issues, sex, and religion may not be good topics to discuss in class.
- Complete your work on time and allow for life’s unknowns. Have contingency plans.
Be Proactive
- Message your instructor if you are struggling or unclear.
- Read and save your syllabus.
- Know your course outcomes and objectives.
- Read and use your calendar.
- Read your announcements.
- Set up your notifications.
- Ask for feedback.
- Read your rubrics.