Challenges in Online Courses

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One of the primary challenges I think students
face when they’re taking an online class is

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getting used to the idea of working with a
computer as opposed to showing up to class

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week to week.

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I think a lot of students feel almost safe
behind a monitor and they don’t realize that

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there is a professor on the other side keeping
an eye on them.

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One of the best ways to overcome that challenge
is to not be afraid to ask questions of the

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professor whether it be through email, webcourses,
or a variety of other methods we have to talk,

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it’s important for students to keep in contact
with their professor so we can help them when

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they need it.

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Some of the challenges you might find in an
online course is, especially if you’re new

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to online learning is, you need to be what
we call in education is a self-directed learner.

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And you can look that up.

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Google that term and see what it’s all about.

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But basically, you have to be very self-motivated
and willing to be a self-learner, to teach

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yourself because your instructor is not going
be there to walk into my office.

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You can walk into it virtually but it’s just
not the same.

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Also, some of the tools that we have in online
learning are a little bit different.

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If you’ve never used an online textbook, it’s
a totally different type of reading and learning.

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There are extra tools at your disposal such
as virtual highlighting and virtual sharing

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with your classmates and discussions.

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It takes a little bit of getting used to using
those online texts.

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Challenges that face students are quite often
keeping up on top of their deadlines.

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So, I find it very important that students
maintain a very solid schedule and calendar

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for when their deadlines are.

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Now, this also helps them to maintain not
only their school life but also their personal

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life and how they can weave in their school
and their personal life together in a cohesive

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way.

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Well, one challenge my students face is that
they expect that the work will be something

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like I read about it and I find the answer
and I give the answer.

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And it’s really not like that at all.

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The kind of work in my classes involves doing
and they’re just not going to learn it by

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reading about it.

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They have to read about it, of course, but
then try to apply what they’ve read to the

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problems, the exercises, and the homework.

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One thing students can do to overcome that
challenge is to ask me specific questions

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about where they’re getting stuck.

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So, rather than struggling with it for an
hour and then asking me, I would rather that

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they say “hey, the instructions said to look
in the dictionary etymology but I’m not sure

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what I’m supposed to find when I get there
and how it applies to the problem.”

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And then, I’m happy to help coach them through
that rough spot.

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Online courses come with their own challenges.

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As a matter of fact, you must never forget
you have your professor who is there to support

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you.

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Your professor will also ensure that understand
the content of your course.

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They are there to guide you and cheer you
on your journey.

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Always reach out to your professor.

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Email him or her and you will get the support
necessary to enhance your success in your

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online course.