Required Academic Competency to Succeed in Online Courses
Student Dialog - Academic Competency
Sage: Hi, Heather. I am thinking about taking an online course on World Technologies and Learning next semester.
Heather: Hey, study buddy! That's different...
Sage: The course is about examining the impact of learning technologies from email to online learning on world cultures from a socio-technical perspective. Wanna take it with me?
Heather: Sounds interesting, but I've never taken an online course before. What kind of skills are required?
Sage: Well. You need to be motivated and persistent to complete an online course successfully. For example, you may want to take an online course because you'd like a different sort of academic experience or to enhance your skills or your knowledge in certain subjects.
Heather: Would I have to attend online classes on a fixed schedule?
Sage: One of the best things about online course is its flexibility! You can access your course materials or respond to a post in a discussion forum anytime you want, based on your own schedule. Just make sure you manage your time well and submit your assignments before the deadlines since online courses take more time than you might imagine.
Heather: Great! Thanks for the advice, Sage. I'll have to think about it.
Motivation and Persistence
Different people take online courses for different reasons.
- Some hope to enhance their skills or knowledge, some hope to gain more academic experiences.
- Some may wish to get a better job after completion of online courses.
- Accessibility and flexibility.
- You can read and review your course materials, class assignments, and discussion forums almost twenty-four hours a day and seven days a week depending on your own schedule and availability.
Distance education requires self-discipline and persistence. Hence, setting your own goals and purposes for your learning will help you to keep motivated to learn and to hold yourself responsible for proceeding throughout the online course period.
Time Management
In order to succeed in online learning, you must devote a substantial amount of time and effort to studying and working on assignments. Expect to spend more time working on your assignments or online discussion forums for an online course than you would in a face-to-face course. An online learning environment depends heavily on text-based instruction and communication; as a result, it will take time for you to complete reading assignments and discussion posts, to create responses and reports, and to interact with your instructor and peers.
