1. How to Stay Organized in an Online Class
Some tricks and some common sense advice.

2. 1. Treat it like any on campus class
but don’t behave like a lot of other students.

3. 2. Create a dedicated work space.
Have a quiet, distraction-free space where you go to work. Stock it with everything you will need so you will stay there and work.
It is easy to go looking for something you need (a stapler) and wind up in the kitchen looking for a snack Wait for your break to go there.

4. 3. Have a “Plan B” for studying.
If you can’t work in your home study space, have a place away from home – a coffee shop or library, for example – where you can go to study.
Use the local college library resources and space.

5. 4. Make a plan. You need structure!
The instructor in the class won’t be physically there to remind you of classwork, so you have to approach an online class with even more attention to detail.

6. 5. Start with a good planner and a wall calendar.
Get a good planner and USE it! The wall calendar lets you look at the whole semester at a glance, so you can see what is coming up and plan ahead. Print out each syllabus and make a note of all coursework due dates in the planner and on the wall calendar.

7. 6. Check in daily. You may not be on campus but you are in class.
Make a weekly activity plan for each class :
When are course materials accessible?
When will you do required reading and research?
When does the discussion thread open? When do you want to post?
What day and time are weekly assignments do?
Make a daily activity plan:
Check into each class each day. This helps keep you on schedule.
Make a note of any syllabus changes.
Ask for clarification on assignments.
Avoid your urge to procrastinate by being involved in your classes everyday.
Look ahead to next week. What’s coming up?

8. 7. Use technology tools to keep you on top of things.
Look for tech tools that are FREE and easy to use. There are apps that will help you organize your notes, set up reminders, allow you to collaborate with classmates, or create study materials.
Take some out for a test drive Here are two places to start:
Best Educational Apps 2017
54+ Best Apps for College Students in 2017

9. 8. Don’t work in a bubble.
You may be in an online class, but you can still network with other students. Often there will be a group project, so it is a good idea to have other students in class that you will want to work with.
A well-designed online class will work to develop an online community of learners to help students feel they are part of a class.

10. 9. Pay attention to your learning style.
We tend to have preferred ways to interact with new information. You may need to apply new information right away for it to make sense. You may need to talk about it with someone. You may need to read a summary or write one of your own. A visual representation of new information might be the easiest way for you to remember it.
Be aware of how you learn the best and try to make your approach to learning new things fit the kind of learner you are.

11. Let’s look at the basic learning styles: Social v
Let’s look at the basic learning styles: Social v. Independent Learners Do we learn best alone or by working with others?
Social Learners benefit from:
Independent Learner benefit from:
Interacting with an instructor
Working with a partner
Forming a study group
Being involved in class discussions
Working with a tutor
Using computer assisted tutorials
Taking classes with a more traditional lecture style format
Taking independent study classes
Using review books and study guides

12. Spacial v. Non-Spacial How do we place thing in space – mentally or on paper?
Spacial learners benefit from:
Non-special learners benefit from:
Drawing diagrams, making charts and sketches
Using outlining for organizing new information
Using visualization
Recording steps, processes, procedures in words
Writing summaries
Translating diagrams into language
Writing your interpretation next to drawings, maps, and graphics

13. Auditory v. Visual Do we learn best by hearing it or seeing it?
Auditory learners benefit from:
Visual learners benefit from:
Taping lectures to listen to again
Taping your notes for review
Discussing/studying with friends
Taking aloud while studying
Using computer tools to organize information
Using films, videos when available
Creating graphics (charts, diagrams, maps)

14. Creative v. Pragmatic Do we prefer doing something creative or following clear directions?
Creative learners benefit from:
Pragmatic learners benefit from:
Taking courses that require exploration, experimentation, or discussion
Asking questions about chapter content and answering them
Thinking outside the box
Writing lists of steps, processes, and procedures
Writing summaries and outlines
Using a structured study environment
Focusing on problem-solving, logical sequence

15. Applied v. Conceptual Learners Do we learn by doing something or thinking about it?
Applied learners benefit from:
Conceptual learners benefit from:
Associating ideas with their applications
Taking courses with a lab or practicum
Using case studies, examples, and applications to cue learning
Using outlining of concepts
Focusing on thought patterns
Organizing material that lacks order
Applying a theory to a hypothetical situation is just as effective as real life

16. What would you do in a class where you felt like this?
Now, what would you do?
Not all instructors are great online teachers and not all online classes are very engaging.
What would you do in a class where you felt like this?

17. What do you do with all of your questions?
Get to know your instructors so you are comfortable asking them for help.
Get to know other students and work with them.
And ask good questions.

18. Get organized. Stay organized. Do the work.
‘Nuff said.