Online Learning

Preparing to take a class online.

* Setup your WorkSpace. Using good ComputerErgonomics will help your online learning.

• Know your OperatingSystem It is very important to know which OperatingSystem is running your computer. This will help you download the correct plugins for your WebBrowser and get help from technical people if you need it.
• You will need to download your BrowserPlugins. These are extensions to your WebBrowser software that allow you view additional content. It might be a video broadcast or a flash animation.
• Log on and become familiar with BlackBoard before the class starts.
• Download and print your ResourceDocuments.
• GetOrganized. Set up folders and favorites.
• Become familiar with the University of Richmond School of Continuing Studies Website. The RichmondWebsite is full of important information for a student who is beginning their education at URSCS.
• Communicating with your classmates and group members can be easily done with AudioVideoConferencing.
• Group conferencing can also be obtained through VideoConferencing.
• Make sure that you have enough time for the course. Use TimeManagement techniques to organize your life.
• Dial-up vs. High Speed. Having a fast ConnectionSpeed while taking online classes will enhance your Online Learning experience. Taking an online class with dial-up will be a frustrating experience. Test your ConnectionSpeed link in this folder.
• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) vs. Cable Internet - At this point the reader will surely prefer to use High Speed Internet (Broadband); however, she/he will still have to decide between DigitalSubscriberLine (DSL) and CableInternet. In order to make an informed decision, please become acquainted with these options by visiting the links provided here:
  • DigitalSubscriberLine
  • DSLServicesVariations
  • CableInternet
  • DSLvsCable (Comparison between DSL and Cable Internet)
  • BroadbandProviders

Tips from a first time Online learner

LessonsLearned from a first time online learner, shared here hopefully to assist you in your online learning pursuit.

Guidelines for ESL Students

• • English Challenge Exam
  • OWL
  • Blackboard
  • Class buddy
  • Set up e-mail notification
  • Tapes you can listen to

Once class has begun

• BlackBoard facilitates GroupWork in many different ways. Learning how to work in groups while taking online classes is an important skill.
• Believe it or not, TimeManagement is an important skill even for the online student
• Different people will have different LearningStyles. It might be helpful to learn about a few of them, try to identify you're own learning style, and see how you can best use BlackBoard and its many tools.
• The very nature of online learning means that students and professors never meet face to face. You may experience FeelingsofIsolation, but there are many ways to over come these. InstantMessaging can be a tremendous resource for online learning students.
• This OnlineGlossary will help students navigate the terms frequently used with Online Learning.

Discussion Boards

DiscussionBoards are present in every class, while some are a requirment others are not. Lets talk about the value of DiscussionBoards.

Surviving an Online Class

• HardCopy --How notebooks can help you in an online environment. Sometimes it is easier to print out a HardCopy of the material for organizational purposes.
• CalendarTool --This is how you can set up your own calendaring system to stay organized
• BuddySystem --Find an adopt a body in an online class to avoid FeelingsofIsolation
• BasicComputing --Know your BasicComputing skills to make the most effective use of your time.
• TestTime --Strategies for taking tests in an online class.
• IdentityTheft --While you are online, prevent thieves from ruining your good credit!

Online Teaching and Learning Topics

• EmailEtiquette and DecreaseSPAM
• RSS WebFeeds
• CopyrightOverview and FairUse
• SearchingTheWeb: overview of SearchEngines and evaluating InternetResources

Firewalls

• FireWalls --What are they and what do they do?

Weblogs

• WeBlogs --How they have changed our world

Mobile Technology

Mobile technology has evolved over the years and has aided in the online learning experience. Now you can learn whereever you are and you do not have to be in a classroon or connected to a desktop computer.

• PalmPhones
• PalmComputing
• WirelessBlogging
• PodCasting
• BluetoothTechnology

...to name a few

Photo ID Cards For Internet Students

• SpiderCard - How to get your University of Richmond student ID card.

Cool Tools for Online Learning

• FlickrCom - A free service to post photo's.
• WebCamera

Site Tools of the OLT Web

•      (More options in WebSearch)
• WebChanges: Display recent changes to the OLT web
• WebIndex: List all OLT topics in alphabetical order. See also the faster WebTopicList
• WebNotify: Subscribe to an e-mail alert sent when something changes in the OLT web
• WebStatistics: View access statistics of the OLT web
• WebPreferences: Preferences of the OLT web (TWikiPreferences has site-wide preferences)

Notes:

• You are currently in the OLT web. The color code for this web is this background, so you know where you are.
• If you are not familiar with the TWiki collaboration platform, please visit WelcomeGuest first.

Web	TWiki Site Map	Use to...
Main	Welcome to TWiki... Users, Groups	...see who is registered on this TWiki
TWiki	Welcome, Registration, and other StartingPoints; TWiki history & Wiki style; All the docs...	...discover TWiki details, and how to start your own site.
ATS		...collaborate on teaching, learning and technology
Barista		...collaborate on
CTLTOpen		...collaborate on
ESM	A web for students in the UR Emergency Services Management Program	...collaborate on topics in ESM and Online Learning
HSWritingCenters		...collaborate on writing
ITI		...collaborate on
ImageHelp		...collaborate on images
InformationSystems	...information for the ISYS major at UR	...collaborate on information systems
Know		...collaborate on
LeaderShip		...collaborate on leadership.
Library		...collaborate on
MathSeminar	Fall 2006 Seminar on Sequences	...collaborate on math topics
Network		...collaborate on network stuff
OLT		...collaborate on research in the area of teaching, learning, and technology
Sandbox	Sandbox test area with all features enabled.	...experiment in an unrestricted hands-on web.
TextAnalysis		...collaborate on
VA400Miler		...talk about the race.
VideoHelp		...collaborate on
Vista		...collaborate on Windows Vista
WILL		...collaborate on topics related to Women
WebServices		...collaborate on web stuff
WorkFlow		...collaborate on ways to process information.
You can use color coding by web for identification and reference. This table is updated automatically based on WebPreferences settings of the individual webs. Contact kcreamer@richmond.edu if you need a separate collaboration web for your team. See also AdminToolsCategory.

Legend of icons:

= Go to the home of the web = Search the web

= See recent changes in the web = Subscribe to get notified of changes by e-mail