Guidelines for a Successful eClass Experience
- Make sure you have all prerequisites. Prerequisites
define the knowledge and skills you should have at the beginning
of an eClass. If a class requires competence or mastery of a
skill, that means you should be able to perform that skill with
no or very minimal assistance. If you have the proper prerequisites
you are prime to begin an eClass and are the most likely to be
successful in achieving learning outcomes.
- If you lack prerequisites, you would
at best have a difficult time learning the lesson. You
would at worst be frustrated and lost. If you do not have
prerequisites it is advised that you do not take the class.
- If you have substantially more than the class
prerequisites, and if you are not afraid of
becoming bored completing assignments below your skill
level, you are welcome to take the class for review purposes
and to share your expertise with others. But remember
instruction may be redundant for you and advanced questions
may be beyond the scope of the class.
- Make sure you have installed any required software
before the class begins. This requirement indicates
that the instructor intends to have you use the software right
away.
- Access your eClass several times a week. One
of the greatest benefits of an asynchronous format is that you
can access the classroom at whatever time is most convenient
for you. At that point, you'll see and read the messages and
discussions between other students and the instructor. Participation
in these discussions will enhance your learning and provide a
feeling of community. Your instructor will post details of assignments
and lectures at the beginning of the class.
- Commit the required time to the eClass. The
average online course will require 4 to 6 hours of work and reading
a week. Online students need to be prepared to commit this amount
of time to each eClass.
- "Speak up" if problems arise. If a you are
experiencing difficulty with the technology or with the course
content, communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor
will never know what is wrong.
- Have Fun!
University of Minnesota Campuses