Find Schools Online - Article: Survival Tips for Online Learning: Tools


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Survival Tips for Online Learning: Tools � 2005 By Viki Gardner All Rights Reserved. Printed with Permission Hi and welcome! I'm glad you're here because I was just unpacking the tools I need to facilitate my online class. Students and teachers use the same or similar tools in an online class. As a traditional student, you probably carry a backpack or bag of some kind, into which is crammed the paraphernalia of your life: cell phone, palm pilot, iPod, lunch bag, soft drinks, reminders, notebooks and books. However, these overflowing bags are good for more than dislocating the shoulders of the bearers; within their depths hide the most mysterious tools: tools for expert instructors and students who believe they are experts. In reality, both are experts in the business of teaching and learning. The reason I put them into both categories is because I believe the student/teacher relationship is symbiotic. Of course, it is typical for the student to learn from the teacher, but I believe the teacher also learns from the student. They alternate roles in the teaching/learning process, and because of this, the tools of their respective industries are similar, if not the same. They consist of not only the physical and material items necessary to record the method of teaching/learning, but the emotional and intellectual strategies needed to survive the process, as well. Learning is definitely a process, just as building a library is a process. You must start with the basic foundation (what you already know) and build up the rooms (what you want to learn) of your internal library. I am a writer, and a teacher of process writing; but I am also a lifelong learner, a student, just like you. That means that my internal library is always expanding, as are my sets of tools. As an online student, the tools you will need are fewer than for a traditional class. Of course, you know you must have access to a computer and the Internet at least five days a week. Once you have those things established, enroll in the class or classes that you want to take. You should look around this site, because it has lots of different kinds of online classes to choose from. You will probably see many you want to take, but be careful; you will be spending at least 15 hours a week outside of class on assignments and group projects. In addition to the outside work, you will be required to "attend" the online classroom via message board, instant messenger or other means of communication the instructor designates, for a certain number of days a week. You will be spending long hours in front of your computer, so suffice it to say, comfort is mandatory. We will cover procedures of these study sessions at another time. For now, it is enough to gather your tools: Participation in an online class is mandatory and it does mean reading and writing, and lots of it! In order to participate, you have to be there. "Being there" means that you contribute to the online discussion (reading and writing) a certain number of days a week. Most programs require five days out of seven. If this is a problem, you probably need to consider a different type of learning, or be prepared to have an earnest discussion with your instructor on the first day of class. Then, if your instructor has objections, you will still have time to withdraw. Printer and paper. These are needed for obvious reasons, but to explain, you will find articles that you want to print off to read, as well as the instructor's articles, readings, or other assignments. You will be highlighting these for study or use as research later. Highlighters of different colors. For the reasons I stated above, you need a supply of different colored highlighters. Paper clips. Tape. Stapler. Staples. So you can clip, stick, and poke the above highlighted papers. Folders, tabs, binders. So you can safely and categorically store the data on the above clipped, stuck, poked and highlighted papers. Sticky notes. So you can give instantaneous response, especially in an emergency. If you do not invest in any other paper during your online class, you need to at least stock up on sticky notes, lots and lots and lots of sticky notes. My personal computer's monitor is drowning in them. I am still working on a color-coded system that works, but for the moment, the note's hue means nothing more than adding a hint of color to an otherwise plain, but busy, computer monitor. Busy: I like that word. You see, I have an old-fashioned monitor with a frame around it. If I am in a meticulous mood, I have every note lined up so that each sticky end is parallel to the monitor. Like little soldiers, they are ready to defend my honor at a moment's notice. Sometimes their coattails flap in the breeze of the furnace or air conditioner, depending on the time of year. Every so often I forget and write on the sticky note pad so that the flapping portion of the note (hereinafter referred to as flapper) covers the monitor's screen, but that lasts only a moment. In a matter of three flaps to the breeze, I am rewriting the offending note so that the sticky portion adheres to the frame and the flapper portion faces outward. It's nice that sticky notes are so predictable. You can count on an end or a side that is always sticky, and unless you are sticky-challenged, you can always write the note so that you have the sticky part facing the monitor's screen. Of course, you have to keep in mind that will change as you fill up one side of the monitor frame and have to turn corners. And, there will come a time when one of the little soldier's usefulness is ended. Just give the tattered and battered note a swift and proper burial in File Thirteen and pat yourself on the back for one more bit of knowledge firmly set in place. Your library is growing! But wait! What about that empty spot on your monitor where the last soldier resided? Don't worry! It'll soon be filled by another. Favorite pen. Speaking of the departed, you do know that cartridge pens are nearly extinct? Okay, I know some of you like pencils, and most of you like gel pens and a few of you like fine point and one or two of you even like your mother's favorite refillable black ink medium-point Cross ballpoint pen that she's had for 20 years and only lets you use on special occasions. I remember a young lady once had a genuine quill pen, inkwell and all, that she wanted to use, and I said, "Sure, whatever brings forth your muse." She giggled quizzically and blushed and then became one of the best students in the class. So, with that in mind, I use the word "pen" here, quite loosely. You will need writing utensils, regardless of whether they are $390.00 gold plated pens or $.39 gold crayons. Why? Because, silly, the sticky notes are only useful when something is written on them. :) *** Viki Gardner** is a freelance teacher, writer, and editor. She holds a Masters degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning, which she earned completely on line from University of Phoenix. She is an E-Structor with Smarthinking.com, where she tutors high school through post-graduate level students in writing. She retired from traditional teaching after 12 years in the classroom, where she was also a mentor to student and new teachers in the district. Her publishing background consists of working for Bobbs-Merrill, Dell, Simon & Schuster, and Warner Books, and being published in Celebrate! Poets Speak Out- Educators 2002 and other publications.
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Copyright © 2008 \| Find Schools Online \| All Rights Reserved


find schools home \| choosing the right school \| resources \| sitemap
find schools by: name \| degree \| location: USA - Zip Code \| Canada \| UK

Survival Tips for Online Learning: Tools � 2005 By Viki Gardner All Rights Reserved. Printed with Permission Hi and welcome! I'm glad you're here because I was just unpacking the tools I need to facilitate my online class. Students and teachers use the same or similar tools in an online class. As a traditional student, you probably carry a backpack or bag of some kind, into which is crammed the paraphernalia of your life: cell phone, palm pilot, iPod, lunch bag, soft drinks, reminders, notebooks and books. However, these overflowing bags are good for more than dislocating the shoulders of the bearers; within their depths hide the most mysterious tools: tools for expert instructors and students who believe they are experts. In reality, both are experts in the business of teaching and learning. The reason I put them into both categories is because I believe the student/teacher relationship is symbiotic. Of course, it is typical for the student to learn from the teacher, but I believe the teacher also learns from the student. They alternate roles in the teaching/learning process, and because of this, the tools of their respective industries are similar, if not the same. They consist of not only the physical and material items necessary to record the method of teaching/learning, but the emotional and intellectual strategies needed to survive the process, as well. Learning is definitely a process, just as building a library is a process. You must start with the basic foundation (what you already know) and build up the rooms (what you want to learn) of your internal library. I am a writer, and a teacher of process writing; but I am also a lifelong learner, a student, just like you. That means that my internal library is always expanding, as are my sets of tools. As an online student, the tools you will need are fewer than for a traditional class. Of course, you know you must have access to a computer and the Internet at least five days a week. Once you have those things established, enroll in the class or classes that you want to take. You should look around this site, because it has lots of different kinds of online classes to choose from. You will probably see many you want to take, but be careful; you will be spending at least 15 hours a week outside of class on assignments and group projects. In addition to the outside work, you will be required to "attend" the online classroom via message board, instant messenger or other means of communication the instructor designates, for a certain number of days a week. You will be spending long hours in front of your computer, so suffice it to say, comfort is mandatory. We will cover procedures of these study sessions at another time. For now, it is enough to gather your tools: Participation in an online class is mandatory and it does mean reading and writing, and lots of it! In order to participate, you have to be there. "Being there" means that you contribute to the online discussion (reading and writing) a certain number of days a week. Most programs require five days out of seven. If this is a problem, you probably need to consider a different type of learning, or be prepared to have an earnest discussion with your instructor on the first day of class. Then, if your instructor has objections, you will still have time to withdraw. Printer and paper. These are needed for obvious reasons, but to explain, you will find articles that you want to print off to read, as well as the instructor's articles, readings, or other assignments. You will be highlighting these for study or use as research later. Highlighters of different colors. For the reasons I stated above, you need a supply of different colored highlighters. Paper clips. Tape. Stapler. Staples. So you can clip, stick, and poke the above highlighted papers. Folders, tabs, binders. So you can safely and categorically store the data on the above clipped, stuck, poked and highlighted papers. Sticky notes. So you can give instantaneous response, especially in an emergency. If you do not invest in any other paper during your online class, you need to at least stock up on sticky notes, lots and lots and lots of sticky notes. My personal computer's monitor is drowning in them. I am still working on a color-coded system that works, but for the moment, the note's hue means nothing more than adding a hint of color to an otherwise plain, but busy, computer monitor. Busy: I like that word. You see, I have an old-fashioned monitor with a frame around it. If I am in a meticulous mood, I have every note lined up so that each sticky end is parallel to the monitor. Like little soldiers, they are ready to defend my honor at a moment's notice. Sometimes their coattails flap in the breeze of the furnace or air conditioner, depending on the time of year. Every so often I forget and write on the sticky note pad so that the flapping portion of the note (hereinafter referred to as flapper) covers the monitor's screen, but that lasts only a moment. In a matter of three flaps to the breeze, I am rewriting the offending note so that the sticky portion adheres to the frame and the flapper portion faces outward. It's nice that sticky notes are so predictable. You can count on an end or a side that is always sticky, and unless you are sticky-challenged, you can always write the note so that you have the sticky part facing the monitor's screen. Of course, you have to keep in mind that will change as you fill up one side of the monitor frame and have to turn corners. And, there will come a time when one of the little soldier's usefulness is ended. Just give the tattered and battered note a swift and proper burial in File Thirteen and pat yourself on the back for one more bit of knowledge firmly set in place. Your library is growing! But wait! What about that empty spot on your monitor where the last soldier resided? Don't worry! It'll soon be filled by another. Favorite pen. Speaking of the departed, you do know that cartridge pens are nearly extinct? Okay, I know some of you like pencils, and most of you like gel pens and a few of you like fine point and one or two of you even like your mother's favorite refillable black ink medium-point Cross ballpoint pen that she's had for 20 years and only lets you use on special occasions. I remember a young lady once had a genuine quill pen, inkwell and all, that she wanted to use, and I said, "Sure, whatever brings forth your muse." She giggled quizzically and blushed and then became one of the best students in the class. So, with that in mind, I use the word "pen" here, quite loosely. You will need writing utensils, regardless of whether they are $390.00 gold plated pens or $.39 gold crayons. Why? Because, silly, the sticky notes are only useful when something is written on them. :) *** Viki Gardner** is a freelance teacher, writer, and editor. She holds a Masters degree in Adult Education and Distance Learning, which she earned completely on line from University of Phoenix. She is an E-Structor with Smarthinking.com, where she tutors high school through post-graduate level students in writing. She retired from traditional teaching after 12 years in the classroom, where she was also a mentor to student and new teachers in the district. Her publishing background consists of working for Bobbs-Merrill, Dell, Simon & Schuster, and Warner Books, and being published in Celebrate! Poets Speak Out- Educators 2002 and other publications.
a
find schools home \| choosing the right school \| contact us \| resources \| sitemap
a
Copyright © 2008 \| Find Schools Online \| All Rights Reserved