- Make sure you have all prerequisites. Prerequisites define the knowledge and skills you should have at the beginning of an eClass. If a class requires competence or mastery of a skill, that means you should be able to perform that skill with no or very minimal assistance. If you have the proper prerequisites you are prime to begin an eClass and are the most likely to be successful in achieving learning outcomes.
- If you lack prerequisites, you would at best have a difficult time learning the lesson. You would at worst be frustrated and lost. If you do not have prerequisites it is advised that you do not take the class.
- If you have substantially more than the class prerequisites, and if you are not afraid of becoming bored completing assignments below your skill level, you are welcome to take the class for review purposes and to share your expertise with others. But remember instruction may be redundant for you and advanced questions may be beyond the scope of the class.
- Make sure you have installed any required software before the class begins. This requirement indicates that the instructor intends to have you use the software right away.
- Access your eClass several times a week. One of the greatest benefits of an asynchronous format is that you can access the classroom at whatever time is most convenient for you. At that point, you'll see and read the messages and discussions between other students and the instructor. Participation in these discussions will enhance your learning and provide a feeling of community. Your instructor will post details of assignments and lectures at the beginning of the class.
- Commit the required time to the eClass. The average online course will require 4 to 6 hours of work and reading a week. Online students need to be prepared to commit this amount of time to each eClass.
- "Speak up" if problems arise. If a you are experiencing difficulty with the technology or with the course content, communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong.
- Have Fun!