Online learning is preferred nowadays by
many people due to its flexibility and convenience. It is easy to integrate
with the busy lifestyles that people have and still help them achieve their set
learning goals. According to Roper, seven factors determine the success of a
person in online learning (2007). The first step in ensuring successful online
learning is by developing a time-management strategy that will guide the
learner throughout the course. Most of the students interviewed said that have
a well-established timetable and following it proved a key factor to their
success. However, self-discipline and motivation are required so as to follow
the schedule strictly. Self-discipline also supported by Waschull (2005) who
found out in his research that motivation and self-discipline were the key
factors of success in online learning. Having a good time management strategy
is essential in ensuring the student have adequate time to participate in the
classroom activities. According to the research by Roper, timetables gives
students the flexibility they need to manage their learning as well as other
responsibilities in their lives. It ensures that one is not overwhelmed by
trying to multitask between learning and other personal responsibilities.
However, one needs to be highly self-discipline to ensure that they follow
their timetable strictly and hence avoid falling behind their schedule.
Online discussions are also another key
step in succeeding in online learning. Roper claims that interaction between
students that occurred online was beneficial to most of the students he
interviewed. The students claimed that the threaded discussions created
meaningful online relationships that helped them in their learning. A student
can post a question, response or comment to another student in the platform
provided. Also, some students found that use of emails outside the provided
platform for discussion was useful. These students can use emails to contact
each other and discuss the class contents with no restrictions as those placed
in the discussion platforms. Instructors also play a crucial role in
encouraging the online discussions. They can ask questions that will provide a
richer dialogue between students which will have a positive impact on the
students’ general performance in the course.
Retention is an important part of
learning the process. Online learning students encounter this challenge and can
develop various ways to overcome this. One way that students can apply what
they have learned online is by practicing in the online threaded discussion.
The students discuss in the online forums and can be able to practice with
their fellow students and retain the learned concepts. Another way students
learning online can do is to apply the new concepts to what they are familiar
with. That way, they can retain the new concepts easily through practice.
Students enrolled in online courses
should use their instructors maximumly. They should ask their instructors any
question they have so as to have a better understanding of the material.
However, they should also ask their fellow students through discussions done
online, live chats and emails. Asking questions gives a student a better
understanding of the material being taught and can help in the course of
learning. Successful students spend a lot of time crafting and researching
questions, hence making them clear to the instructor or fellow students.
Learning online can result to low
motivation for students as there is no direct contact with classmates or
instructors. It is hence important for these students to ensure that they stay
motivated throughout the course so as to succeed. Every student can use their
way to keep themselves motivated, but most students interviewed by Roper said
that they kept their eyes on the prize to stay motivated. Other students aimed
at getting the highest grades to keep their motivations up while others were
driven by their dreams of graduating. However, every student has to come up
with specific ways of keeping themselves motivated.
Success in this course will need one to
apply the tips given by Roper in his research. In this course, I will come up
with a proper time management strategy to follow. A good time table will not only
help me set up adequate time for my course and hence not get behind my
schedule. Online discussions will also be a key part of my plans when learning
online. I will engage myself with my classmates and instructors in the online
forums to maximumly understand the concepts being learned. These online
discussion forums will also be a place where I can practice on these concepts
through questions, responses, and comments on various posts from my fellow
course mates or instructor. I can also apply the use of emails or live chats to
interact more with my classmates and practice more. I will also keep myself
motivated by targeting a grade ‘A’ in my course.
In my weekly plan, I will spend three
hours daily on my studies for six days a week. In every week, I will ensure
that course work, exercises, assignments and discussions are all covered in my
weekly timetable. Every evening from Monday to Friday will be reserved for
online lessons. These lessons will take a period of two hours. Online
discussions will be slated every day except Sunday for one hour during weekdays
and two hours on Saturday. The discussions will be exactly one hour after the
online lessons are through. Exercises and assignments will be done from Monday
to Wednesday every week for one hour after the discussions are through. This
timetable will ensure that I spend enough time on my studies to understand the
concepts being taught.
As I have a full-time job, I will allocate one hour to relaxing after work, and then set on studying for two hours the online lessons from 6:00 pm. After the online lessons are through, one hour will be set aside for supper, and the online discussions will start at 9:00 pm. The assignments and exercises will be done at 10:0 pm after the discussions are over.
Timetable
Time |
Weekdays |
Saturday |
2:00
pm – 4:00 pm |
N/A |
Online
Discussions |
4:00
pm – 6:00 pm |
N/A |
Assignment/Exercises |
6:00
pm – 8:00 pm |
Online
lessons |
|
9:00
pm – 10:00 pm |
Online
discussion |
|
10:00
pm – 11:00 pm |
Assignment/
Exercises |
|
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