PrintHere are some quick tips to keep in mind when preparing to be successful in an online course:
Treat online learning as you would a face-to-face class
You should devote at least the same amount of time to your online courses as you would to attending lectures on campus and completing assignments. Other good study habits, such as attending class (logging on) regularly and taking notes, are as important in an online course as in a lecture hall!
Intentionally schedule your time
You should devote 10-12 hours weekly to completing lesson readings and assignments. Your learning will be most effective when you engage with the course daily.
Engage, Engage, Engage
Take every opportunity to interact with the content, the instructor, and your classmates by completing assignments and participating in discussion forums and group activities!
Be organized and keep up
Keep in sync with what is happening in the course and stay on top of deadlines and upcoming assignments. If you fall behind, it can be difficult to catch up.
Ask for help
Ask for guidance when needed. Email the instructor directly through Canvas.
Other Resources
The links below will connect you with other resources to help support your successful online learning experience:
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Tips for Being a Successful World Campus Student
This website links to many resources on everything from taking notes online to managing your time effectively. Please note that you must be a World Campus student to receive some of the support services mentioned on this website.
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Penn State World Campus Technology Resources
This website provides resources to help you learn to use technology, access Penn State tools, and purchase and download software.
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Penn State World Campus Blog
This blog features posts by Penn State staff and students on a variety of topics relevant to online learning. Learn from online students, alumni, and staff members, dedicated to student success, how you can get the most out of your online course experience.
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Penn State iStudy for Success!
The iStudy online learning tutorials are free and available to all Penn State students. They cover a broad range of topics including online learning readiness, time management, stress management, and statistics - among many others. Check out the extensive list of topics for yourself to see what topics may be of most use to you!
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LinkedIn Learning at Penn State
This website provides access to an extensive free online training library, with tutorials on everything from creating presentations to using mobile apps for education. There is a wealth of information here - all provided free of charge to Penn State faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students.