Planning & Preparation
Online Readiness Survey
Are you a self-disciplined, self-motivated person with good time management skills? Online learning requires different skills, in terms of studying and technology, than you might use in a face-to-face class. It’s important to be prepared for this change and to understand the commitment necessary for success in online learning. Gauge your readiness for online learning by completing the Online Readiness Survey.
Take the Online Readiness Survey
Skills to Consider
Online courses provide a flexible format to advance your education without traveling to campus. Consider the following skills as you prepare for online learning.
Time Management/Organization
It is recommended that you devote at least nine hours per week to each online course. This means planning to prioritize and balance other responsibilities so work can be completed on time. Due dates and times will be in Central Standard Time (CST), so plan accordingly if you are not in the same time zone.
Additional tips:
- Online courses can be held in a live, synchronous format or asynchronous format without real-time interaction. Be sure to check your schedule in CougarNet to see if synchronous sessions are required.
- Review Online and Remote Learning: Tips for Students from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. This has tips for study habits and time management.
Learning Preferences and Study Skills
Learning in an online course can require new ways of studying and communicating. Learning takes place in a variety of media formats (textbooks, online lectures, videos and web-conferencing). With this, you’ll need to take responsibility for your own learning and be prepared to ask for help when necessary. Always read the syllabus carefully because it contains detailed information about what is expected throughout the course. Many questions can be answered by referring to the syllabus.
Visit these resources for additional tips:
- SIUE Student Services and Support
- Writing Tips 101: Understanding Assignment Instructions
- Review Successful Students Take Responsibility by Irene Stewart and Aaron Maisonville. It is an excerpt from A Guide for Successful Students. This section focuses on how to take responsibility for your learning and making decisions.
- Purdue Online Writing Lab
Technological Proficiency
Having access to the right technology is not enough to be successful in an online course. You must also know how to use the technology. View this checklist for the technical requirements for students.
Official University Systems:
- Learning Management System (LMS): Blackboard
- Productivity Software: Office 365 suite
- Web conferencing: Zoom
- Streaming video: YuJa
Visit these resources for additional support:
- Information Technology Services (ITS) Knowledge Base: On-demand resource with how-to articles for a variety of technologies (computers, mobile devices, learning technologies) and products such as Office 365, Blackboard and Zoom
- Explore the Discussion Board in Blackboard, and follow these best practices when posting.
- Official University communication will come via email. Know how to check your email with the Outlook app in the Office 365 suite.
- SIUE Information Technology Services (ITS)
ITS should be your first contact for technical problems. Call 618-650-5500 for 24/7 support, or email help@siue.edu.
