Best Practices

The distance student must possess many of the same characteristics and skills as a traditional on-campus student: time management, self-discipline, and motivation. But the distance learner must also possess a unique set of characteristics due to the unique nature of distance learning.

How to succeed in the distance learning environment*:
*Some information adapted from the Illinois Online Network.

As an online student you need to be comfortable communicating online.  Online courses connect students to each other and faculty through online discussion boards, group projects, e-mail and chats.

Be prepared to be graded on the thoroughness of timeliness of your discussion content and participation.  Many online courses include discussion board participation as a graded component of the course.

Recognize that life, work, educational and other experiences all make up the larger part of the learning experience. Distance education provides a unique medium for students to become part of the learning environment and express their lifetime experiences in the classroom.

Enjoy reading and the challenges of communicating through writing. Often the communication medium of choice in distance education is the written word as expressed in online threaded discussion forums, real-time chats, e-mail messages to instructors and classmates, and written assignments.

Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. Keeping on top of course material enhances the learning experience and helps ease stress. A common viewpoint is that students should spend two to three hours per week on course material for every credit hour taken.

Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process. The learning process requires the student to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. Be able to think ideas through before responding. The distance learner must be willing to challenge ideas and accept a challenge.

Have access to the proper tools and equipment. Online courses require frequent access to a computer, high speed Internet and various computer applications. It is important that you are familiar with the technical requirements of your program and test your equipment ahead of time.  Software and technology assistance is also available through the UNL Help Desk.

Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise and take the initiative to ask questions and receive feedback. Open communication between student and instructor not only increases the overall learning experience of the student, but helps the instructor identify issues that other distance learners may encounter.

Be aware that the feedback in an online course may not be as immediate as in a face-to-face course.  Just because faculty teach online, doesn’t mean that they are online 24/7.  If your instructor does not post an announcement in the course as to how soon often they plan to respond to e-mails, be sure to ask them at the beginning of the course.  Some faculty commit to responding to e-mails within 2 – 3 days, while other faculty may only plan to check their e-mail once per week.  Some faculty may even schedule phone-in or chat office hours.  Either way, you will know right from the beginning of the course what to expect.”

Get started right away. Buy your textbooks and materials immediately, so you will be able to complete and submit the first assignment within the deadline.

Set up a schedule for your online course and stick to it!  It is a good idea to set aside specific times in your weekly schedule to work on your online course, just as courses taught in a traditional classroom setting are scheduled for specific times.  For example, block out every Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening (or whatever times work best for you) and plan to spend that time working on your online course.  Doing so will help to ensure that you keep up with assignments and stay on track to successfully complete the course.

Make steady progress. Keep working on your course as you wait for one assignment to be evaluated and returned. Maintain a steady pace and stick to your timetable.

Do you have support of others? Students need to make others aware of the time commitment of distance learning and seek the support of family and friends.