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Orientation Lecture- How to Become an Online Student

Note: you may benefit from printing out lecture materials as opposed to reading them on screen. Many students find it easier. Keep your computer on however so you can follow the links.

I. If you have never taken an on-line course, you will, no doubt find the environment very different from a face to face (f2f)class.

Taking an online class requires a different preparedness on the part of the student than does taking an on campus class. 

For example:

1. Going to an online class can be done any time night or day.
   

2. You don't have to be in class at specific times.
   

3.  Your education can now fit around your life, family, and  
    work requirements. 

Because of this unique feature, to be successful on-line you will need to be highly self-motivated and have the ability to work independently.

Did You Know?  Because of the complexities of technology, and the format of on-line education, more time is required to complete any on-line course when compared to a face to face (f2f) class?

To learn more about what is expected of you in an on-line environment and how to become an on-line student, visit "Should I take An On Line Course "at  http://www.csus.edu/indiv/s/slaymaker/onlinecourse.htm

Ok now you have decided that on line learning is for you? Try these assessment quizzes. 

Complete these short assessment quiz/surveys to assess your psych and technical skills for an on line class.  You will use this information when you get to the discussion assignment for this week. 

http://web.crc.losrios.edu/dems/ready2learn/tech.htm

II. Other Things To Consider In An On-Line Environment 

While there are some important benefits to taking classes online, there are also some drawbacks.

• Because you don't communicate f2f (face-to-face) with students or the instructor in the class, you can not see the non-verbal cues that are normally involved in interpreting  emotions in f2f encounters. 
  This is very important because words such as  "Aren't you smart" can have many meanings depending
  on the tone of voice "Aren't you smart" (sincere voice and smiling) or "Aren't you smart" (sarcastic stone) .
  

• To ensure that we do not misunderstand each other in the written word, many web sites address guidelines for netiquette (on-line etiquette) in the posting and sending of messages on line. Netiquette covers rules for maintaining civility in on-line interactions.  
  

• To get an idea of what Netiquette involves check out these sites.

 http://www.albion.com/netiquette/. This site has excellent "quiz" to test one's knowledge on netiquette and excellent "Core Rules" on online communication.  

• When all else fails, you can insert emoticons, also referred to as "smiley faces". Because of the increased chance of being misunderstood on line or the tone of the message getting misconstrued, it is sometimes good to use emotions to inflect the tone that is intended.  Here are a few of the web sites with the latest emoticons and some interesting stuff. You don't need to review them all. I just wanted to give you an idea of what is out there.

http://www.xs4all.nl/~ernstmul/emoticon.html http://www.mit.edu:8001/people/cordelia/smileys_edit.html

http://netforbeginners.about.com/cs/makeemoticons/?once=true&

http://www.muller-godschalk.com/emoticon.html  

After you have completed the on-line preparedness reading, Netiquette  rules ,and smiley faces, go to  the assignments page for the link to this week's Web Assignment and Orientation Quiz.  Ask one question or make one statement about the class in your post or ask for help by putting "HELP" in the subject line. See you at the discussion board.

Sue

PS Be sure to also respond to classmates postings. 

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