Hiawatha Valley ABE Theresa Luther-Dolan Chuck Butler

 Web Enhanced  Video Conference/ITV  Correspondence  Online  Mixed/Hybrid

 Geography isn’t a limiting factor  Schedules tend to be more flexible  Student-based learning  Mix of media enhances learning

 Little social interaction  Poor time management skills  Face-to-face interaction can be encouraging and for some students necessary  College is more than a classroom

 Determine if you have the right access, skills, and motivation to be successful.  Self-Assessment Tools ◦ ages/4404.asp ages/4404.asp ◦ index.html index.html

 Know the expectations for the class ◦ Synchronous chat ◦ Discussion board ◦ Reading materials – text, online, etc ◦ Group activities ◦ Communication and response times

 Manage your time wisely ◦ Don’t procrastinate ◦ Don’t wait for perfection ◦ Combine activities ◦ Don’t expect your instructor to always be online ◦ Make and keep a schedule ◦ Use your free time wisely

 Make a Good First Impression  Effective Communication  Stay Organized  Attachment Etiquette  Get to Know your Instructor  Help Create a Successful Online Community

 Spell Check and Grammar Check  Compensate for Not Having Non-verbal  Communications and Miscommunication  Avoid Writing in All Capital Letters  Reply/Reply All/Reply with Message

 Don’t “Reply all” unless you mean it  Don’t start or contribute to “flame wars”  Don’t give your instructor a virus!!!  Don’t send or submit things you may regret later  Don’t pass around “forwards”

 Don’t be too casual  Don’t be long-winded or stray from the topic  Watch the subject line  Don’t stray from the thread topic  Don’t send anonymous messages

 Count the (time) costs  Identify personal support  Read materials carefully  Be interactive  Add “value” to the course

 Make a “regular” study schedule – stick to it!!!  Create a “study zone”  Check your work  Have required equipment and materials  Take responsibility for your own learning

 Learning Environments ◦ Course management systems (D2L, WebCT, Blackboard, etc.) ◦ system  Resources ◦ Distance Learning Coordinator ◦ Online Advocate ◦ Instructional Technologist ◦ Student Help Desk  View Example Course ◦

Questions?