Category Archives:
Resources for Online Students
Public Internet Access and the Online Learner
Whether it’s at the library or Starbucks, many online students study away from home for a variety of reasons, including access to hardware, software, and the Internet. I volunteer at a branch of my local public library to assist patrons with the dozen or so computers available for public use, sometimes even helping online students […]
5 Education Resources Worth Paying For
Anyone working within a budget will tell you that “free” is preferred, especially when looking for resources to assist us with our online courses. And while I’m a proponent of free options, such as those that can be found for career exploration and with open academic journals, sometimes it’s difficult to find exactly what we […]
Essential Social Media for Online Students
I get it. Not everyone is as excited about social media as I am. This semester I am requiring Twitter use in my online class and it’s been met with an overall lack of enthusiasm. But as social media continues to have an impact on so many facets of higher education and the workplace, I’m […]
Now’s the Time to Think About Internships
If you are on any college-related mailing lists, no doubt you’re receiving messages about internship opportunities. As an online student you may or may not be required to complete an internship as part of your formal degree program, but even if you’re not, it can be a great way to get the practical experience employers […]
7 Mobile Apps that Put Your New Technology to Work
Did you get a new smartphone or tablet (i.e., iPad, Kindle, Nexus) over the holidays? If so, you may already be trying out some of the many mobile apps. Mobile technologies are more popular than ever. The Pew Internet & American Life Project reports “as of September 2012, 45% of all American adults own a […]
Is it Time to Panic in Your Online Course?
It never fails. Every time I teach an online course, I receive email messages from students that read something like this: “I’m really freaking out here!” Over the summer this happened more than usual as problems with the learning management system cut students off before finishing their online exams. In some cases the system submitted […]
7 Tips for Successful Student Introductions in an Online Class
What are the protocols or suggestions regarding how to introduce yourself in an online class setting? This question was recently submitted by a reader who had just completed his first online class introduction and found that everyone had taken a different approach. These “get to know you” activities are essential to the community building process, […]
10 Twitter Tips for the Tentative Student
In the online course I taught last spring, only two out of 26 students were using Twitter. And my announcement that I was active there (would be sharing resources, etc.) and encouragement to join me was met with a round of “is it required?” While I didn’t expect everyone to jump on board, I was […]
There’s No Place Like Your Home Office
Be it ever so humble … creating a dedicated study space in your home is just one step you can take to support your own success with online learning. As an online student you may be juggling many work and family responsibilities, which means you are studying late at night or early in the morning. […]
Developing Digital Writing Skills
As an online student you are likely already immersed in digital writing requirements. Emerging as a component of the new digital literacies, digital writing can be described as written communication that goes beyond just text, is created through the use of technology, and is connected with and made available by a wide network of web-based resources. Michigan […]