The question sometimes arises as to how students can fully participate in online classes. This question arises because students do not have a clear picture of the responsibilities of a student in an online program. As a student, you will need a working knowledge of a text editing program and you must learn to navigate the particular digital interface of the college. Often, one text editor, for example, will not work for in one group of online classes but will work in another group of online classes. Given these parameters, it is important for an online student can to lean how to maximize their participation in online classes.
The student will play a dual role in discussion threads. First the student must post an original response to a question or prompt posted by the professor. For example, the instructor might ask: "How does a direct quotation differ from a paraphrase?" Students, in response to the question, post their answer. Then a secondary goal kicks in. The student who is responding changes hats and is called upon to critique the postings of at least two classmates.
The critiques are of two types: mechanics and substantive. To do a thorough job with mechanics, the student must be able to recognize a fragment, run-on, agreement problem, reference, for example. If the student cannot recognize these common errors, they must refer to a grammar program such as OWL, an online writing lab offered by Purdue University. OWL will show them how to recognize common errors and how to correct them. These, then, are some ways of participating fully in an online class.
Fully Participate in Online Classes via Dual Roles in Discussion Threads
Participating fully in online classes requires cognitive reflection on the part of the student. The student must be aware of standard organizational patterns such as classification, cause and effect, comparison-contrast, and argumentation and to apply these modes of organization where appropriate. Moreover, the use of logic and the spotting of logical fallacies are also relevant. These, then, are some ways of participating fully in an online class.
Full participation in online classes is demonstrated through completion of assignments, fulfilling assignments, developing a final research essay and regular postings to the drop box, making sure that the submissions are on time. Keep in mind that the Quizzes are computer scored and timed and must be complete to obtain credit. These, then, are some of the ways students can fully participate in online classes.
Practice Exercises and the Research Paper in Online Classes
When frequent participants do not know, they ask. For example, perhaps you are having difficulty deciding how to document a source using APA style. Instead of guessing or staying confused while trying to decipher your text, you can go directly to your instructor for help. How do you do this? You can use the functions such as Ask the Professor, e-mail, Problems and Solutions, and even in the discussion thread. First, however, be sure to comb the Announcements for postings that might answer your questions. These, then, are some ways of fully participating in online classes.
Finally, the high participator in online classes makes use of the support services offered by the college. For example if you are having personal problems, inquire about free counseling; if financial, there are experts to guide you toward scholarship and loans; if content problems, there are tutors available; if specialized, such as the use of APA, there are experts in formatting waiting to guide you. There are even online libraries that can be accessed with a click of the mouse. There is no reason you cannot become a student who participates fully in online classes.
Michael Greene has taught hundreds of college students in various online degree programs over the past few years. Greene is convinced that it is important for every college student to carefully consider which distance education degree is the best fit.