If your campus closes and moves to offering classes only online, do you know how to keep in contact with your instructors? Before you get started, here are a few things to think about as you prepare to be an online student:
A Quick-start Guide to Learning in an Online Environment
No matter how far into the semester classes are required to move online, your instructors are committed to ensuring your academic progress. This may require some adjustments in the syllabus, but you can expect to continue to have learning materials and activities for the rest of the semester.
- How will you communicate with your instructor?
- How will you maintain internet access?
- Do you have a device with appropriate video and audio capabilities?
- Do you know how to use all of the essential features in Canvas?
- Do you know how to attend a virtual Zoom meeting?
- Do you know where to go to get help?
Communication
If your course moves online, the most important change is going to be the way that you communicate with your instructor. It is essential that you are familiar with the following modes of communication, as they are the most likely ways your instructor will contact you. Check your syllabus or ask your instructor to see what form of communication they would prefer you to use.
- Email: be sure to check your school email multiple times a day
- Online learning platform Announcements: check your platform (ex: Canvas, Moodle, Blackboard) settings to ensure you get email notifications for announcements
- Platform Inbox: when sending emails to your instructor, it is recommended that you use the built-in inbox feature. The message you send will automatically contain information about what course and section you are in, which will help your instructor answer your email more efficiently.
In addition to the Quick-start guide above, the website, LDAdvisory.com, has posted tips that ALL students learning from home, may find useful. Visit, Crowdsourcing Learn-From-Home Strategies for College Students – Spring 2020
WINAHEAD 