Preparing Students for Online Learning

This presentation focuses on best practice in orientation for students who are new to online learning. All too often, students fail or drop out of online courses as a result of insufficient preparation for the special challenges and the unfamiliar format of online learning. This can be a result of any of a number of factors, including: writing, reading, communication, work load, time management, and technology. Students who are new to online learning are not accustomed to the challenges involved in becoming self-directed learners and taking responsibility for their learning. Students need to be prepared for more reading and writing. They also need to learn how to communicate effectively via text. In a traditional learning environment, students communicate verbally in class and in online classes, the shift in learning mode from verbal to text can be difficult at best, and defeating at worst for many students. These issues can be addressed in an effective orientation. The expectation for self-directed learning behaviors and effective communication from students has significant implications for instruction in the online classroom, as well as for student success and retention. Self-directedness involves being able to self-manage, self-monitor, and self-modify. All of these elements of self-directed learning are made possible by establishing responsible habits of behavior. The ability to be self-directed empowers students to take ownership of their learning; therefore, self-directed learning skills need to be taught to students in an orientation course. Students cannot be held to these expectations without providing clear guidance and instruction for accomplishing these goals. Instructors and institutions have a responsibility to empower students in their learning experience by providing clear expectations, modeling the appropriate skills and behaviors, and instructing students in how to improve on those skills themselves. The obvious and most effective means by which students can be assured of receiving this instruction is through an orientation program that includes all the elements necessary for success in the online learning classroom. Effective preparation for online learning should take place in an instructor-led orientation workshop that focuses intensely on all of these areas. Students who are prepared for the online learning experience will be more likely to succeed in their online courses.