Pre-requisites Course/Time Management Communication Online Community
Attitude Taking the Course

1. Know how to operate your computer and its peripherals (e.g., mouse, modem, storage devices) before undertaking an online course or component.
2. Know how to use your Internet browser (e.g., Navigator, Explorer, etc.).
3. Know how to use email, including attachments.
4. Understand the minimum hardware and software configuration and do not attempt to undertake the course without ready-access to this equipment.
5. Install and use virus checking software on your system and don't upload or download ANYTHING without checking it first.
6. Research the course. All online training is not created equal. Some courses deliver nothing more than the text on web pages. On the other hand, those with too many "bells and whistles" may be more technical trouble than they're worth. Apply what you know about good instruction to online courses offered.
7. Make sure you have convenient and reliable access to the Internet.
8. Be sure you understand any other pre-requisite skills and knowledge that might be required in the course.
9. Elicit the support of your colleagues, family and friends before you start out on your online adventure.
10. Contact the instructor if you are unsure of your abilities to meet the demands of the course or have questions regarding the course.
11. If you are planning to earn staff development points, CEUs or credit for taking the course, check with your staff development office in advance and get permission to do so in writing. Understand what you or the instructor need to provide to the office to get your credit and any deadlines or forms that might apply.

1. Commit to the course. It is very important to be able to devote the time needed to successfully complete it.
2. Log in to the course often for updates, messages, and communications among the participants.
3. Realize that online courses require at least as much time and effort as face-to-face courses and in some cases, more.
4. Set goals and deadlines for yourself, and stick to them.
5. Note any dates or deadlines and plan for them: starting date, ending date, assignment due dates, quiz dates, etc.
6. Plan ahead for scheduling problems such as grading periods, end of year, classroom activities.
7. Plan ahead for technology problems. Remember Murphy's Law? Servers can be down, your computer can crash, electricity can go out, or viruses may choke the Internet.
8. Enjoy the convenience of working at your own chosen time and place.
9. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
10. Accept the fact that if you are a procrastinator, this might not be for you.




11. Make sure you have a private space where you can work.
12. Print hard copies of lessons and assignments and keep back-ups in case you need to re-send something.
13. Anticipate being at the computer for extended amounts of time.

1. Reply to email from your instructor after you receive your first email message. This will let your instructor know that s/he has the correct address.
2. "Speak up" if you are having problems. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems understanding something about the course, let someone know that something is wrong. Seek out help from your classmates and be willing to help out classmates in need.
3. If you are in over your head, let the instructor know immediately.
4. Actively participate in forums, bulletin boards, threaded discussions, etc.
5. Practice "netiquette."
6. Use the spell checker and grammar checker.
7. Realize you often have the opportunity for more interaction with fellow participants and the instructor than in a traditional course and in some cases, more interaction is required.
8. Realize that online asynchronous communication provides time to reflect on what you wish to say. Take time to think ideas through before responding to communications from the instructor or other participants.
9. Think before you hit "return" or "send!"
10. Utilize comments and discussions posted in forums, bulletin boards, and other threaded discussions as a review of topics.
11. Pay careful attention to instructions and be certain that you understand what is being asked when submitting assignments.
12. If you have questions regarding assignments, email the instructor or a classmate for help immediately. Don't wait until the assignment is due.
13. Understand that asynchronous learning means that answers and assistance may take several days to reach you.
14. Plan to take the time to write clearly and concisely in all assignments, threaded discussions and other course communication.
15. Keep a copy of all email you send to your instructor. You may want to cc yourself. That way you will know that the email is being delivered, and you will also have proof that it was sent on time.
16. Understand that when you post a response or comment in a forum or bulletin board area, everyone in the class will read it. Use email to the instructor for private communication.

1. Use the online community as a chance to meet and network with interesting people from very diverse geographic locations and backgrounds.
2. Participate fully in the online experiences, both synchronous and asynchronous, to avoid feeling isolated.
3. Contribute your ideas, perspective and comments on the subject you are studying, and read about those of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course, you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you as well.
4. Participate in listservs and discussion groups if they are offered. This is a great way to get to know some of the other people in your class. It will also allow you to ask questions of the group.
5. Find some study-buddies. If you feel the need to study with other participants from the class, ask your instructor for help in identifying other participants who may want to work with you. If you can, find someone at your school to take the course with you.
6. Be open to sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.
7. Realize that if you need the quick verbal exchange of ideas and the sometimes lively give and take of a typical classroom experience, online courses may not be for you.
8. Forums, bulletin boards, and other threaded discussions provide the opportunity to network and help others by recommending resources and other solutions.
9. Be polite and respectful to everyone involved in the course. This is especially critical for a productive and supportive online environment.
10. Try to resolve any problems you may be having by asking for assistance from your classmates first and then the instructor.

1. Be flexible.
2. Be willing to take risks.
3. Enjoy exploring new things.
4. Enjoy the freedom to choose, day-to-day, when to "attend" class.
5. Enjoy the opportunity to take training that is not offered locally.
6. Maintain a sense of humor. It's not always you, it's not always the course, it's not always the technology, sometimes it's a combination of all three!
7. Be easy on yourself. This is new to almost everyone!
8. Recognize this is a relatively new way to teach and learn and technology doesn't always work the way you or the instructor would like it to.
9. Stay calm! Remember that you are not alone and that your classmates and instructor are there to help if you reach out to them.
10. Practice patience with yourself, other participants, and the instructor
11. Recognize that instructors and course developers can make mistakes too.
12. Believe that high quality learning can take place without having face to face interaction and work to make it happen for you.

1. Research online links. These are often the richest resources in a course. Bookmark or record them for later use.
2. Complete all activities and readings. The course has been designed to give you the most information and provide the best learning experiences. Take advantage of that!
3. Complete self-assessments honestly.
4. Apply what you learn. If it is possible, take the things you learn in your online course today and use them in your workplace tomorrow.
5. If you must use hard copy, print out only the current lesson, not the entire course. Things may change during the course and the instructor may make changes to the web pages based on feedback.
6. Know the requirements and procedures for accessing and taking any tests or quizzes online. Are there time limits? Can you take it more than once? Is a proctor necessary?
7. Be sure to read carefully and follow directions. Reading is one of the most important skills in online learning, since the written word is the primary source for directions and information in online courses.
8. Plan ahead, and have a back-up plan for submitting assignments. Technology frequently fails when you need it most.