In an online course, independence is a necessity. You must be able to:
Online courses tend to be very text heavy. While instructors use videos and presentations as part of their lecture, there is generally additional reading and writing required. This may be in the form of discussion board participation, responding to quizzes to assess your understanding of a lecture, and crafting and submitting assignments online. Canvas, our learning management system, relies on text to support you to find deadlines and to know when assignments are due.
As a student, being a fluent reader and writer definitely helps in your learning, your communication with your instructor and with your classmates. If you do not enjoy reading and writing, but prefer dialogue and discussion, then an online course may not be a best fit. However, if you are willing to adjust your learning preferences, and commit to engaging in reading and writing, even if it is not your preference, then you can be successful.
In a typical online classroom, instructors will present information in a variety of ways. It is the your responsibility to take in the information (reading, lectures, videos, discussions, etc.) and make meaning and formulate opinions. This is true in a face-to-face course as well, but since much online learning happens asynchronously, you must be much more independent in the way you access and make sense of materials being presented.
In a face-to-face class, if you get stuck or do not understand something in the middle of a lecture, you can simply raise your hand to ask for more detailed information or to get support from your instructor. In an online course, you must be more proactive in seeking out help when you do not understand how to do something, or if you do not understand content that you are studying. Online learning requires you to be more active when seeking help.
Learning in an online classroom differs notably from face-to-face courses. To succeed, you should understand those differences and adapt to the online learning experience.
Online learning can happen in two primary ways: asynchronously and synchronously.
Asynchronously means that you work independently, directed by the instructor, but not necessarily at the exact same time as other students. This can include watching videos, reading materials, participating in online discussions, or other coursework. However, you can do the work primarily on your own timeline and schedule, within the due dates assigned by the instructor. In asynchronous courses there is very little, if any, face-to-face instruction. All communication is done electronically via Canvas, email and assignment submissions.
Synchronously means that you, your fellow students, and the instructor are online at the same time, working together. This can be through a video conference or other electronic collaborations. You still have the convenience of working anywhere you want, however, the time is predetermined by the instructor. In synchronous courses, you will likely still have some asynchronous work to complete, however, much of the direct instruction is done at the same time.
Most online courses at SPSCC are asynchronous. Occasionally, instructors will include synchronous actives (optional or required), but the majority of your learning will be done independently.
