Online Learning

Online learning is usually web-based. At the University of Tasmania, the main tool for web-based learning is MyLO. This software package allows you to access course materials and to communicate online with staff and other students. However, the nature of your interaction with academic staff and with other students is likely to be different from the kinds of interactions in the traditional classroom.

Is online learning for you?

Some students find they learn more in online classes than in traditional lectures, while other students prefer a face-to-face learning experience. Whether you will enjoy online learning depends on a number of factors, including:

Are you motivated and disciplined?
Online learning does not require you to turn up to classes at appointed times. While this gives you the flexibility to learn in your own time, it also means there is no weekly structure of classes to attend. It takes self-discipline to ensure you do complete your studies each week without falling behind schedule.
Can you allocate sufficient time to your studies?
Online learning requires at least as much time as traditional learning. In fact, many students find it is more time-consuming. Good time management is even more important when you are responsible for planning your own learning schedule.
Will you miss the classroom?
While you will interact with teachers and fellow-students in online courses, it is not the same as face-to-face interaction. There is no body language and there are no visual clues to help you understand what others are saying. Using discussion boards and other online communication tools means you will have to express yourself in writing. This comes naturally to some students, but others will miss the lack of opportunity to express themselves orally.
Make sure you have the necessary IT equipment and skills
Online learning requires access to a suitable computer and a fast Internet connection. If you have to rely on University computer labs for this access, you may find that the times you can actually connect to an online course are limited. You may need to brush up your word processing and web browser skills in order to get the most out of an online course..

Once you have started

Get familiar with the course design
Spend some time checking out the home page for your online course and try to get an idea of the ‘big picture’, or what the course is all about. Take particular note of the assessment requirements so that you are sure what you have to do in order to succeed in the course.
Log on regularly
Because you can choose when to do your online learning, it is easy to allow other priorities to take over and to find that it has been quite a while since you logged on. If you leave it too long, you may miss some interesting discussions and find it difficult to remember what you learned last time. Try to get into the habit of logging on every day, or at least several times each week. Check out any replies to your last contribution to the discussion board and see if you can contribute further.
Stay in touch
It is one thing to be an independent learner, but feeling isolated is not conducive to successful learning. Active participation in online discussions is a good way to discover that you are not ‘on your own’ and to avoid feeling isolated
Set yourself a realistic study program
As a rule of thumb, we suggest a full-time course represents a commitment roughly equivalent to that of a full time job. If your course consists of four units, then each unit could require about ten hours of study each week. For some students in some courses this is more than enough. Others might decide they need to put in more time in order to keep up. Set yourself a realistic weekly program for your study times and use it as a guide
Set short-term goals and deadlines (and stick to them)
It is one thing to set aside sufficient time to study – it is another to use that time effectively. If you set yourself short term goals - tasks that you could realistically complete in each study session - your self-esteem and confidence will grow as you achieve each goal and cross it off your list.
Speak up if you are having problems
In any course it is important to talk to the lecturer or tutor whenever you have difficulties understanding the course material, or the lecturer’s expectations. Try posting a question on the discussion board – it may be that other students are experiencing similar problems. In an online course, the lecturer cannot tell whether you are having problems unless you tell him or her. Contact the lecturer as soon as a problem arises, and be as explicit as you can about the nature of the problem.
Take advantage of your anonymity
Compared to a tutorial situation where you have to speak up to make a point, it is easier to make a contribution to a discussion list, where most of the members do not know you
But, be polite!
However, beware of making inappropriate remarks. Remember that once you have posted a comment you cannot retrieve it!
Evaluate your progress
Check your course outline regularly and ensure that you are beginning to achieve the course objectives.

Additional information about the Learning & Teaching Environment at UTAS can be found at http://www.utas.edu.au/tl/lte/