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Resources
Tips
Study Tips for Online Students
by Dr. Samantha Swindell, Instructor for Psychology 470
- Use the DDP support team and other available resources.
There are great people in DDP who are there to help you. They will not think your questions are stupid; do not hesitate to use them as a resource. Also, take advantage of other resources available to you, such as the Student Computer Services help (509-335-help) for technical problems and/or computer questions. If this is your first online course, access the online environment as soon as possible. This will give you some time to familiarize yourself with the online format before the course actually starts and work through any technical problems.
- Make contact with your instructor.
Take the time to introduce yourself to your instructor. You’ll be able to do this in the course space. A personal introduction will help distinguish you from a sea of faceless names. Sometimes students must make requests of instructors (e.g., extensions, requests for additional information) and instructors are inclined to be more receptive to students they know better than those they do not.
- Chart the course schedule on a calendar.
This will help you see how the important dates for the course (e.g., assignment deadlines, examinations) correspond with other important dates and obligations in your life. It will also make those dates more salient to you so that you can plan accordingly.
- Avoid procrastinating and complete assignments on time.
One of the advantages of online courses is the "collaborative environment" that they provide. Students who complete and post their answers online early have the best chance of getting corrective feedback, both from the instructor and from their classmates. Postings made close to the deadline leave very little opportunity for feedback and improvement.
- Take advantage of the collaborative environment to interact with your
classmates.
This has several advantages. First, exposure to the material increases retention, so the more you think about the course material, the better you will learn it and remember it. Second, your classmates can offer additional perspectives and suggestions that you may have never considered.
- Read assignments before completing assigned readings..
If you read the assignments before completing the selected readings, you can have the requirements for the assignment in mind while you are processing the information.
- Print the assignments.
Some students find it difficult to read assignments online and remember all of the requirements of the assignment, particularly if they cannot view the entire assignment on the screen at one time. Printing the assignment enables you to highlight the specific requirements and helps ensure that you will address all of those specifics in your response.
- Determine if evaluation criteria apply, and use those guidelines when
completing assignments.
Some instructors provide evaluation criteria (e.g., learning rubrics) for assignments. These may distinguish "strong" post responses/answers from "weak" post responses/answers and give you some idea of the information instructors are looking for when they are evaluating the assignments.
- Write your posts offline.
Writing posts as "Word" documents outside the online environment allows you to use support features like spell check to fix writing errors that weaken the quality of your work and may lower your grade. You can then copy and paste the "Word" text into the response window to post online.
- When studying, rephrase material in your own words and apply to personal
examples.
Learning can be demonstrated by one's ability to correctly apply the information. When studying, do not simply try to memorize the course material. Instead, try to think about how you could apply this information to novel situations, express it in other ways or use it to explain aspects of "real life." This process makes you process the material, rehearse it, and associate it with other information already in memory. This should aid retention and recall.
Skills for Success at a Distance
Being a successful distance student requires time, effort, and diligence. You can help ensure your own success as a distance student by taking control of your academic responsibilities and how you approach them.
Start slowly.
Don't take on the world. Select one or two study habits you would like to develop
or improve on. This might involve setting up a semester calendar listing the due
dates for your papers and exams and developing a daily to-do list. As you become
more comfortable with these new skills, you are ready to add additional learning
strategies that you may find helpful.
Prepare to take a new approach.
The online course experience is unique. Unlike the traditional lecture format, the
online learning environment requires time at the computer to read and respond to
postings. You may need to adapt your style of learning to the online learning format.
Be proactive and learn how to make your online course a positive learning experience.
Take advantage of available resources.
Are there learning strategies and test taking skills that will help you get through
that most difficult class? You can find answers to this and many other questions by
accessing the Center for Advising and Career Development
Learning Assistance Web page. At this site, you will find links to information on
how to study different subject areas such as history, the sciences and math. Check out the
"Study Guides and Strategies" link for an extensive collection of information to help learners succeed.
Do you need extra help with a difficult subject? Students enrolled in courses through WSU Distance Degree Programs also have access to several online tutoring resources, including the eTutoring online tutoring service.
Take advantage of available services.
When you are overwhelmed it is important to ask for help. Remember that it is unrealistic
to think that you can do everything. DDP students who need assistance are encouraged
to contact WSU Counseling Services and take advantage of available services. The
"Self Help" section on the WSU
Counseling Services Web site provides information about online workshops on how to
reduce stress and anxiety plus links to information covering topics such as sleep
problems, eating disorders, relaxation techniques, and seasonal affective disorder.
Alumni and student mentors are also available to give their support and insights to new
and returning DDP students through the
ASWSU-DDP Mentor program.
Take the advice of DDP grads and current students.
Through an informal study, DDP graduates and students shared the following suggestions
for success.
- Identify your goal and keep it in mind.
- Be realistic about what you can handle at one time.
- Organize and plan ahead. Schedule study time and course deadlines, then study daily and review regularly.
- Read and follow all directions for completing your courses.
- Don't try to do it all yourself! Ask for help as you need it. DDP staff, academic advisors, and course instructors are here to help you—and don't forget your family and friends!
- Work hard but reward yourself!
Highlight
New DDP students should expect a welcome packet from their academic advisor within a few weeks of being notified of their acceptance into WSU!