Title: How to be Successful in an Online Course
Course: ASTRON103: The Evolving Universe: Stars, Galaxies, and Cosmology (001) DHH SU18

Q: Select the reason(s) you decided to take an online course.
- Convenience (Learning online can also be frustrating and discouraging. Due to its unusual availability, you may find that the online portion of the class may not easily fit into your schedule as a regular class might. You may also discover that it becomes difficult to carry on several conversations simultaneously or that you have difficulty processing all of the information you receive. And, it may be disconcerting to express your opinions in text form only, without having a clear mental picture of who is "listening." Also, you may have difficulty navigating the structure, asking questions, and submitting your assignment.)
- Prefer to learn online (Learning online can also be frustrating and discouraging. Due to its unusual availability, you may find that the online portion of the class may not easily fit into your schedule as a regular class might. You may also discover that it becomes difficult to carry on several conversations simultaneously or that you have difficulty processing all of the information you receive. And, it may be disconcerting to express your opinions in text form only, without having a clear mental picture of who is "listening." Also, you may have difficulty navigating the structure, asking questions, and submitting your assignment.)
- Don't like traditional classrooms (Learning online can also be frustrating and discouraging. Due to its unusual availability, you may find that the online portion of the class may not easily fit into your schedule as a regular class might. You may also discover that it becomes difficult to carry on several conversations simultaneously or that you have difficulty processing all of the information you receive. And, it may be disconcerting to express your opinions in text form only, without having a clear mental picture of who is "listening." Also, you may have difficulty navigating the structure, asking questions, and submitting your assignment.)
- All of the above (Learning online can also be frustrating and discouraging. Due to its unusual availability, you may find that the online portion of the class may not easily fit into your schedule as a regular class might. You may also discover that it becomes difficult to carry on several conversations simultaneously or that you have difficulty processing all of the information you receive. And, it may be disconcerting to express your opinions in text form only, without having a clear mental picture of who is "listening." Also, you may have difficulty navigating the structure, asking questions, and submitting your assignment.)
- None of the above (Learning online can also be frustrating and discouraging. Due to its unusual availability, you may find that the online portion of the class may not easily fit into your schedule as a regular class might. You may also discover that it becomes difficult to carry on several conversations simultaneously or that you have difficulty processing all of the information you receive. And, it may be disconcerting to express your opinions in text form only, without having a clear mental picture of who is "listening." Also, you may have difficulty navigating the structure, asking questions, and submitting your assignment.)
A: Convenience; Prefer to learn online; Don't like traditional classrooms; All of the above; None of the above
Feedback: Learning online can also be frustrating and discouraging. Due to its unusual availability, you may find that the online portion of the class may not easily fit into your schedule as a regular class might. You may also discover that it becomes difficult to carry on several conversations simultaneously or that you have difficulty processing all of the information you receive. And, it may be disconcerting to express your opinions in text form only, without having a clear mental picture of who is "listening." Also, you may have difficulty navigating the structure, asking questions, and submitting your assignment.

Q: Be honest: How fearful are you of taking an online course?
- Not at all (That is great that you do not to fear learning online. However, if you run into a bump in the road, ask for help from your instructor or classmates. You are all on the same journey and need each other to get there. After you have more experience you will find your own path to success.)
- Somewhat (The only way to get over any fear is to jump in and give it your best. If you run into a bump in the road, ask for help from your instructor or classmates. You are all on the same journey and need each other to get there. After you have more experience you will find your own path to success.)
- Very much (The only way to get over any fear is to jump in and give it your best. If you run into a bump in the road, ask for help from your instructor or classmates. You are all on the same journey and need each other to get there. After you have more experience you will find your own path to success.)
- Scared to death (The only way to get over any fear is to jump in and give it your best. If you run into a bump in the road, ask for help from your instructor or classmates. You are all on the same journey and need each other to get there. After you have more experience you will find your own path to success.)
A: Not at all; Somewhat; Very much; Scared to death
Feedback: The only way to get over any fear is to jump in and give it your best. If you run into a bump in the road, ask for help from your instructor or classmates. You are all on the same journey and need each other to get there. After you have more experience you will find your own path to success.

Q: What qualities do you think make a successful online student?
- Must be self-reliant and self-motivated (All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.)
- Must have good, basic computer skills (All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.)
- Must have good self-discipline (All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.)
- The ability to read carefully and to follow written instructions (All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.)
- Must have good time management skills (All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.)
- All of the above (All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.)
A: Must be self-reliant and self-motivated; Must have good, basic computer skills; Must have good self-discipline; The ability to read carefully and to follow written instructions; Must have good time management skills; All of the above
Feedback: All of these qualities are important to be successful taking an online course. You may have not been challenged before to tackle all these qualities. Online courses will not only challenge you, but will provide experience in obtaining valuable organizational habits that will help in all your course, work, and life activities.

Q: True or False: Online courses require more time than on-campus classes.
- True (You are correct. In most cases, you will spend more time studying and completing assignments in the online environment than you would in an on-campus course. How can that be? The online environment is text-based. To communicate with your instructor and other students, you must type messages, post responses, and communicate through typing. For many, typing is slower than speaking. Most students feel they learn more in an online environment, but you will have to make a greater effort to accomplish that learning.)
- False (Usually, you will spend more time studying and completing assignments in the online environment than you would in an on-campus course. How can that be? The online environment is text-based. To communicate with your instructor and other students, you must type messages, post responses, and communicate through typing. For many, typing is slower than speaking. Most students feel they learn more in an online environment, but you will have to make a greater effort to accomplish that learning.)
A: True
Feedback: Usually, you will spend more time studying and completing assignments in the online environment than you would in an on-campus course. How can that be? The online environment is text-based. To communicate with your instructor and other students, you must type messages, post responses, and communicate through typing. For many, typing is slower than speaking. Most students feel they learn more in an online environment, but you will have to make a greater effort to accomplish that learning.

Q: True or False: Online courses make it harder to procrastinate because the instructor sets deadlines.
- True (Unfortunately, procrastination is the biggest challenge in an online course. There is no one to tell you to get to class on time. You will get some reminders from the instructor, but no one will preach to you, beg with you, or plead with you to stay on top of your coursework. It's easy to put off reading and assignments in the online environment. If you aren't diligent, weeks can go by without completing assignments.)
- False (You are right because procrastination is the biggest challenge in an online course. There is no one to tell you to get to class on time. You will get some reminders from the instructor, but no one will preach to you, beg with you, or plead with you to stay on top of your coursework. It's easy to put off reading and assignments in the online environment. If you aren't diligent, weeks can go by without completing assignments.)
A: False
Feedback: You are right because procrastination is the biggest challenge in an online course. There is no one to tell you to get to class on time. You will get some reminders from the instructor, but no one will preach to you, beg with you, or plead with you to stay on top of your coursework. It's easy to put off reading and assignments in the online environment. If you aren't diligent, weeks can go by without completing assignments.

Q: True or False: Online courses require that you become a technology expert.
- True (You don't need to be an expert, but you do need to be familiar with certain computer equipment and software. At minimum, you should be able to navigate the Internet, type in a word processing program, save and retrieve files, and use email. Missing or faulty equipment and software may prevent adequate course access. Off-campus computer hardware and Internet access are the responsibility of the student. Although owning a personal computer is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you have your own personal computer to participate in this on-line course. If a student does not own his/her own computer, it is advantageous to have access to one several times per week.)
- False (You are right that you don't need to be an expert, but you do need to be familiar with certain computer equipment and software. At minimum, you should be able to navigate the Internet, type in a word processing program, save and retrieve files, and use email. Missing or faulty equipment and software may prevent adequate course access. Off-campus computer hardware and Internet access are the responsibility of the student. Although owning a personal computer is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you have your own personal computer to participate in this on-line course. If a student does not own his/her own computer, it is advantageous to have access to one several times per week.)
A: False
Feedback: You are right that you don't need to be an expert, but you do need to be familiar with certain computer equipment and software. At minimum, you should be able to navigate the Internet, type in a word processing program, save and retrieve files, and use email. Missing or faulty equipment and software may prevent adequate course access. Off-campus computer hardware and Internet access are the responsibility of the student. Although owning a personal computer is not mandatory, it is highly recommended that you have your own personal computer to participate in this on-line course. If a student does not own his/her own computer, it is advantageous to have access to one several times per week.

Q: True or False: Online courses should be monitored often so you don't fall behind.
- True (You are correct. The online discussions will be more enjoyable if you spend that time in three or four sittings during the week. Some students find it helpful to log on at least 5-6 days a week, and to work on the course in smaller amounts of time. By checking in almost every day you'll know if something new has been posted, you'll be able to keep up with the threaded discussions, and you will not fall behind. This will allow you to post your opinions and get feedback on ideas, rather than just reading after the fact on what everyone else has said. In other words, the online course is more interactive to the extent you frequently read and contribute.)
- False (You do need to monitor what is posted often. The online discussions will be more enjoyable if you spend that time in three or four sittings during the week. Some students find it helpful to log on at least 5-6 days a week, and to work on the course in smaller amounts of time. By checking in almost every day you'll know if something new has been posted, you'll be able to keep up with the threaded discussions, and you will not fall behind. This will allow you to post your opinions and get feedback on ideas, rather than just reading after the fact on what everyone else has said. In other words, the online course is more interactive to the extent you frequently read and contribute.)
A: True
Feedback: You do need to monitor what is posted often. The online discussions will be more enjoyable if you spend that time in three or four sittings during the week. Some students find it helpful to log on at least 5-6 days a week, and to work on the course in smaller amounts of time. By checking in almost every day you'll know if something new has been posted, you'll be able to keep up with the threaded discussions, and you will not fall behind. This will allow you to post your opinions and get feedback on ideas, rather than just reading after the fact on what everyone else has said. In other words, the online course is more interactive to the extent you frequently read and contribute.

Q: True or False: Online courses require good time-management skills.
- True (You are correct. An online course requires that you develop personal time-management skills. If you don't manage your time properly, you will find your head buried in the computer with a mountain of coursework. Online courses require the self-discipline to set aside chunks of time to complete your studies. You need to make studying online a priority and not let other activities interfere.)
- False (An online course demands that you develop personal time-management skills. If you don't manage your time properly, you will find your head buried in the computer with a mountain of coursework. Online courses require the self-discipline to set aside chunks of time to complete your studies. You need to make studying online a priority and not let other activities interfere.)
A: True
Feedback: You are correct. An online course requires that you develop personal time-management skills. If you don't manage your time properly, you will find your head buried in the computer with a mountain of coursework. Online courses require the self-discipline to set aside chunks of time to complete your studies. You need to make studying online a priority and not let other activities interfere.

Q: True or False: Writing long messages is a great strategy for online discussions.
- True (The typical message should be no more than a screen or three paragraphs. If it is more than two screens, people will get lost and probably not read further. The key is to limit your contribution to one key idea with supporting points and only one question. If you have more ideas or questions you want ask others, place each in separate postings. Otherwise, you will confuse the conversation.)
- False (The typical message should be no more than a screen or three paragraphs. If it is more than two screens, people will get lost and probably not read further. The key is to limit your contribution to one key idea with supporting points and only one question. If you have more ideas or questions you want ask others, place each in separate postings. Otherwise, you will confuse the conversation.)
A: False
Feedback: The typical message should be no more than a screen or three paragraphs. If it is more than two screens, people will get lost and probably not read further. The key is to limit your contribution to one key idea with supporting points and only one question. If you have more ideas or questions you want ask others, place each in separate postings. Otherwise, you will confuse the conversation.

Q: True or False: Online courses might create a sense of isolation.
- True (Yes, that is because in an online course no one can hear you. And you can't hear anyone else. For some, that can be discomforting. For others, studying alone with only the computer as your companion can be terrifying. The online environment takes getting used to. Your online instructor and classmates can help you overcome those feelings.)
- False (In an online course, no one can hear you. And you can't hear anyone else. For some, that can be discomforting. For others, studying alone with only the computer as your companion can be terrifying. The online environment takes getting used to. Your online instructor and classmates can help you overcome those feelings. In any case, you should be aware of them and seek help if they start to impede your studies.)
A: True
Feedback: In an online course, no one can hear you. And you can't hear anyone else. For some, that can be discomforting. For others, studying alone with only the computer as your companion can be terrifying. The online environment takes getting used to. Your online instructor and classmates can help you overcome those feelings. In any case, you should be aware of them and seek help if they start to impede your studies.