Online Classes: Tips for SUCCESS

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• published: 11 Jul 2013
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Taking online classes? WATCH THIS! I spent a year taking classes myself and researching online ed from the student perspective - this video summarizes my findings. This video is about how to determine if online ed is right for you, what factors pose the biggest threat to your success AND how to manage them. It's all about dopamine in the end. Isn't it always? How to Manage Time, Reduce Stress and Increase Happiness: http://youtu.be/N4YVLkuRBe8 Want more? Subscribe: http://www.youtube.com/user/ThePenguinProf FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/ThePenguinProf Twitter: https://twitter.com/penguinprof Web: http://www.penguinprof.com/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Video Details: The Penguin Prof's College Success Series Challenges and Strategies for Success in Online Ed One Year Online Read everything I could about online ed Took courses in online education and digital cultures Took courses in other disciplines some were free, some quite expensive some from individual institutions, some MOOCs Most importantly, I ASKED QUESTIONS of the students sharing my online classes Why did you choose this course online? What else have you taken and where? How happy are you with online classes in general? Are you successful in online coursework? What works for you and what doesn't? What Did NOT Predict Course Quality Cost did not predict course quality Institutional prestige did not predict course quality What Did Affect Course Quality The instructor The input by other students Student's interest and motivation in the subject Web site ease of use, mobile access and information quality Why Students LOVE Online Ed #1 Control over their schedule #2: They like "going to class" from bed, in pajamas #3: Caregivers can stay at home AND take classes #4: Save money (gas, parking permits, eating on campus) #5: Save time (travel time, parking spot hunting, waiting for class to begin) #6: You can still attend class even if you have to travel during the semester Other Reasons Why Students LOVE Online Ed Some students said they are easily distracted by other students in a traditional classroom They feel more "one-on-one" with the professor They can progress at their own pace through the material Problem... Distractions at Home are ENDLESS Student is easily distracted while working on online classwork Don't Feel Bad... It's Biological Immediate rewards are FAR more desirable to our brain than distant rewards This is called temporal discounting Dopamine is to blame! Functions in the brain: Reward and motivation Pleasure, euphoria Fine motor function Compulsion Perseveration Distractions like social media, movies, music etc. give us a jolt of dopamine and that feels GOOD! Distant rewards (final exam scores, degrees, etc.)... not so much Online Success is Highest When: Student is HIGHLY self-motivated Student is already interested in the subject Student likes technology (and has more than one device to access content) Student is organized (time, materials) Student uses a self-imposed regular schedule for the online class Student participates in discussion boards / blogs / virtual office hours Online Success is Lowest When: Student is not interested in the subject Student is not comfortable with technology Student has erratic schedule and cannot make time for class work Student does not participate with others in the class Student procrastinates and misses deadlines Students who do not read well (or do not enjoy reading) Tips and Tricks Watch "Time Management" video Schedule class time AND study time (not the same thing!) Study only during your Prime Productivity Time Anticipate, minimize and deal with distractions The Pomodoro Technique Set a timer for 25 minutes WORK for 25 minutes without interruptions When the timer goes off, give yourself a small reward and a 5 minute break Over time, increase the working period Get Things Done (GTD) Apps OmniFocus Things ToDo Due ToDoist Remember the Milk PrioritizePro Priority Matrix Covey's Time Management Matrix Some motivational items and penguins... of course!