Online Learning For Dummies

Susan Manning, M.Ed. is the Chief Success Strategist at Credly, where she works with clients to design and implement digital credential systems. Kevin Johnson is the Director of Distance & eLearning at Seattle Central College.

• Foreword xvIntroduction 1About This Book 2Conventions Used in This Book 2What You’re Not to Read 3Foolish Assumptions 3How This Book is Organized 4Part 1: Introducing a Different Kind of Learning 4Part 2: Preparing to Be a Learner 4Part 3: The Virtual Classroom: Being an A+ Student 5Part 4: Special Considerations in Online Learning 5Part 5: The Part of Tens 5Icons Used in This Book 5Beyond the Book 6Where to Go from Here 6Part 1: Introducing a Different Kind of Learning 7Chapter 1: Planning for Your Online Learning Journey 9Examining the Characteristics and Advantages of Online Education 10The nature of online education 10A few pros of online learning 12Knowing the Technology and Computer Skills You Need to Succeed 12Seeing How to Go About Becoming an Online Learner 13Finding available courses 14Evaluating programs 15Applying to a program and securing the money you need 16Getting accepted and preparing for class 17Attitude is everything 17Becoming a Star Learner 18Making your way around your classroom 18Meeting the instructor, fellow students, and other important folks 18Communicating with clarity 19Strengthening your study habits 19Working well in a group 19Being part of a bigger world 20Minding your online manners and ethics 20Completing and turning in assignments 21Transitioning after you’re done with school 22Looking at a Few Special Situations in Online Education 22Students in kindergarten through high school 22Learners with disabilities 23Chapter 2: The Traits and Benefits of Online Learning 25What Makes Online Learning Different from Traditional Education? 26Connecting to learning and people via the Internet 26Working when it’s convenient 28No loafing! 30Who Benefits from Online Learning? 30Adults beyond traditional college age 31Traditional college students 35Seniors and retirees 36High school and homeschooled students 37Getting a Grip on Potential Pitfalls 39Online learning isn’t easier 39Spontaneous, face-to-face discussions are not the norm 39Determining Whether You’re Ready to Join the World of Online Learning 40Assessing your own discipline 40Knowing how you learn 41Being patient and tolerant 43Chapter 3: The Equipment and Skills You Need to Succeed 45Checking Your Technological Readiness 46Meeting minimum hardware requirements 46Meeting software requirements 52Establishing a reliable Internet connection 54Testing Your Technological Abilities 56Reading and scrolling efficiently 56Typing quickly and accurately 56Organizing folders 57Navigating the web 59Downloading and installing software 60Using email 61Staying Safe Online 62Making secure payments 63Remembering and protecting passwords 63Ensuring personal security 65Part 2: Preparing to Be a Learner 67Chapter 4: Discovering What’s Available Online 69Examining Different Types of Online Programs and Courses 69Earning traditional credit 70Obtaining certifications and other credentials 72Staying current or retooling for work through MOOCs 73Continuing your education with a few classes for fun or profit 73Finding Out Which Institutions Offer Online Programs and Courses 75Four-year colleges 75Two-year colleges 78Competency-based education 79Other institutions for certificates, professional development, and training 80Virtual schools for children and teens 80Checking Out Different Structures of Online Courses 82Just you and the monitor (fully online) versus blended courses (partly online) 82Instructor-led courses versus self-paced courses 83Resources you’re expected to access even for face-to-face courses 87Asynchronous courses versus synchronous (real-time) courses 87Finishing Your Schooling Faster with Accelerated Programs and Courses 87The benefits and challenges of accelerated programs 88Tips for successfully completing accelerated classes 88Chapter 5: Doing Your Homework: Evaluating Schools 91Focusing On What You Need in a School 92Considering the program you’re interested in 92Determining whether a program is affordable 93Checking out class size (and the student-to-instructor ratio) 93Knowing how much time you can commit and how it may be spent 94Planning ahead: Figuring out whether your credits will transfer 96Finding an Accredited School 98Recognizing the two types of accreditation 99Seeing the benefits of accreditation 101Determining whether an online program is accredited 102Other factors that contribute to an institution’s credibility 103Talking to the Right People to Find the Answers You Need 104Talking to an academic advisor about the school 105Asking a faculty member about the program 108Chatting with other students about their experiences 110Narrowing Your Options 111Chapter 6: Applying to School and Securing the Cash 113Applying to an Online Program 113The basic application forms 114Your personal essay 116Letters of recommendation 119Test scores 119When it’s all due 120A helping hand to assist you: The recruiter, advisor, or counselor 120Calculating the Costs of Online Classes 121Figuring Out How You’ll Pay for Online Classes 123Do you need financial aid? 123What types of financial aid are available? 124Applying for Federal Financial Aid 125Knowing whether you’re eligible for funds from Uncle Sam 125Filling out and submitting the FAFSA 125Chapter 7: Getting Accepted and Prepping for Class 129Finding Out Whether You’ve Been Accepted or Rejected 129Registering for Classes 131Creating a plan with your academic advisor (also known as Coach) 131Picking your first classes 132Gathering the information you need in order to register 134Navigating registration processes 135Taking action when a course you want is full 135When in doubt: Talking to your academic advisor 136Getting Oriented 137Determining whether an orientation is available and/or required 137Distinguishing types of orientation programs 138Participating in orientation 140Buying Books 142Knowing which textbooks you need 142Deciding where to buy your textbooks 142Buying new or used — that is the question 144Chapter 8: Mentally Preparing and Having a Technology Mindset 147Taking On the Right Attitude 147Understanding growth and fixed mindsets 148Recognizing that age is just a number 149Knowing the Tools You Might Use 150Learning management system: LMS 150Self-paced learning 151Taking screen shots 151Additional tools 153Storage and the cloud 154Saving what you need 155You Don’t Have to Know Everything 157Mastering New Tools Quickly 158Part 3: The Virtual Classroom: Being an A+ Student 161Chapter 9: Navigating the Learning Environment 163Reaching Your Virtual Learning Environment 163Using the right address and setting some Internet options 164Logging in and checking out the interface 165Finding your course’s home page 166Locating and Understanding Critical Documents 168The syllabus, or course outline 169The calendar 170The grading system 173Modules and More: Understanding a Course’s Content Organization 176Attending Live Sessions 178Discovering the value of virtual office hours 178Accessing the virtual office 179Chapter 10: Meeting the People in (and Around) Your Classroom 181Getting to Know the Folks Who Are Front and Center 182Acquainting yourself with your instructor 182Interacting with fellow students 187Seeing Who’s Behind the Scenes 190Noting classroom guests and observers 190Calling on technical support 191Let me “Google that” for you 195Receiving academic support 195Developing your personal support system 198Chapter 11: Communicating Clearly Online 199Checking Out Methods of Communicating Online 199Instructor-to-class communication in news and announcements 200Learner-to-learner communication in discussions 201One-on-one communication via private email or messaging 202Creating and Putting Forward an Online Persona 205Depicting positive personality traits online 205Developing relationships 209Participating in Discussions 210Understanding why you’re asked to discuss 210Organizing discussions in different ways 210Figuring out discussion requirements 213Avoiding overposting 213Tapping into Social Networks 214Benefitting from communicating outside the virtual classroom 214Avoiding distractions 216Chapter 12: Developing Good Study Habits for Online Courses 217Setting Aside Time to Learn 217Working at your peak times 218Checking in every day for a short time 218Calculating how much time you need to finish longer tasks 219Blocking off enough study time each week 221Navigating the Web Efficiently 221Keeping multiple browser windows open 222Avoiding time wasted by chasing links 223Using social bookmarking tools 224Reading Wisely 226Finding the stuff you need to read 226Deciding whether to print online reading material 228Increasing the font size in your browser to help you read more easily 229Taking notes on what you read 229Keeping track of everything you’ve already read 230Visiting the Library 232Accessing the library 233Doing research online 234Watching tutorials on the library site 237Working Offline 238Chapter 13: Getting a Handle on Group Dynamics 239Making Your Online Group Successful 240Introducing yourself in a group forum 240Establishing a leader and other roles 242Setting up a group schedule 243Meeting in real time 244Using collaborative tools 245Being patient 251Resolving Conflicts 251Understanding the conflicts you may encounter (and handling them) 251Bringing problems to your instructor’s attention 253Chapter 14: Recognizing We Are Global 255Setting the Stage for Global Learning 255Meeting People around the World 256Recognizing the value of cultural difference 257Accessing experts from anywhere 258Accessing the Internet around the World 258Considering residential expenses 259Getting connected outside your home 259Being aware of restrictions 261Making the Most of Your Class Time 261Recognizing what’s different about online classes around the world 261Adjusting for differences in time zones 262Joining study groups 263Chapter 15: Understanding Netiquette and Ethical Behavior 265Defining and Using Netiquette 265Communicating politely and respectfully 266Avoiding stereotyping 269Recognizing the Importance of Online Ethics 269Being honest in the written word 270Showing integrity by following through 270Respecting privacy and confidentiality 271Asking before you repurpose prior work 271Avoiding Plagiarism 271Defining plagiarism and related concepts 272Getting the facts on plagiarism 273Citing sources properly 274Checking your own work 276Looking at the penalties for plagiarism 277Chapter 16: Finishing and Submitting Your Assignments 279Understanding the Ramifications of Rubrics 280Breaking down rubrics 280Using rubrics to your advantage 282Writing 101 282Examining different writing styles 282Knowing what’s expected in your writing 284Demonstrating critical thinking 286Completing Different Types of Assignments 287Mastering papers and projects 287Participating in discussions 289Taking quizzes and tests 290Submitting Assignments 292Where did you store that file? 292Attachments! Uploading papers and projects 293Post, Emily! Submitting discussion posts 294The Submit button on quizzes and tests 294Tips for submitting any assignment 295Understand How and When to Use Media 295Using images 296Using infographics 296Using audio 297Using video 298Chapter 17: Building a Portfolio of Work 301Developing a Body of Work to Take with You 301Understanding how to use an ePortfolio 303Checking out typical components of an ePortfolio 303Choosing a method for creating an ePortfolio 307Designing a successful ePortfolio 309Transferring your existing portfolio to the web 311Getting Help with Finding a Job 312Benefiting from career services at your school 312Perusing general job search sites 313Establishing networks while studying online 314Part 4: Special Considerations in Online Learning 317Chapter 18: Educating Students from Kindergarten through High School 319Understanding Why Kids Are Attending School Online 320Wanting to be online 320Needing to be online 320Seeing the Differences between K-12 and Adult Online Education 321Safety concerns with children 322Enhanced parental involvement 323More real-time opportunities 325The need to work offline 325Checking Out Different Kinds of Virtual Schools for Kids and Teens 327State-funded schools 327Outsourced instruction and charter schools 330Private online schools 332Going Through the K-12 Enrollment Process 333Finding the right classes 334Confirming credits before taking classes 334Understanding articulation agreements 335Chapter 19: Accessibility in Online Education 337Determining Whether the Courses You Want to Take Are Accessible 338Do the courses follow accessibility standards? 339Are the courses tested for accessibility? 342How will the school help me if I cannot access information in a course? 343Disclosing a Disability to Your Chosen Online School 344Understanding why and when you need to disclose 345Figuring out what information to disclose 346Keeping privacy in mind 347Using Assistive Technology Online 349Reading web pages with screen readers 349Transcribing and captioning audio and video files 350Considering accommodation options for synchronous sessions 351Part 5: The Part of Tens 353Chapter 20: Ten Myths about Online Learning 355Online Learning is Anytime/Anywhere 355Only Kids Take Online Courses 356An Online Course is a Helpful Way to Learn How to Use Your Computer 357You Must Be a Computer Geek to Take an Online Course 357Online Learning is Easier than Face-to-Face Classes 358Online Courses Are Lower in Quality than Face-to-Face Courses 359Online Learning is Always Independent 359Online Learning is Less Personal than Traditional Learning 360You Need a Webcam for an Online Class 360Everyone Cheats Online 361Chapter 21: Ten Best Practices for Online Learners —Including Self-Care 363Treat Learning Like It’s a Job 363It’s Not a Sprint — It’s a Marathon 364Manage Your Own Expectations 364Your Calendar is Your Best Friend 365Advocate for Yourself: Ask for Help 365Be Present in Class (And Let Your Instructor Know) 366Give Constructive Feedback 366It’s Okay to Take a Break 367Sleep is Good for You 368Say Thank You 368Index 369