Online Learning Checklist and Preparation Steps

Be sure you have the required computer requirements before you enroll into any online class. This includes Internet access and a computer. You will have nightly assignments and weekend work, so you should not assume you can borrow someone else's computer for your schoolwork. This is a huge mistake that new online students make. They assume it will be ok to use a work computer, a friend's computer and then when they need it to attend class and can't, frustration builds because you will quickly fall behind. Then because the instructor failed to give you additional time to get your homework in, you then blame the instructor for something that was totally your fault to begin with but should never have happened in the first place. This will leave you with a sour note about online classes, if you have not already withdrawn from the online university.

Be sure you have the proper software (online platform software) from the institution available to you (if possible, get it on a disk or CD).

Be sure you have a tech support number and available help 24-hours a day, 7-days per week. Make sure it works. One online university that I was associated with had a tech support number available, but there was no one at the other end of the line manning it. Caution - please be careful here!

Be sure you have a student tutorial to show you around the online platform (platforms vary greatly). Reputable online universities will have one available.

Be sure to start out slowly. Take one class at a time until you have adjusted to the new online learning environment. Adjusting does take time. Do not just leap into several classes before you get your feet wet!

Be sure you have an online library accessible to you 24-hours a day, 7-days per week.

Be sure you have access to a virtual bookstore to obtain all of your textbooks and/or required class materials (if the texts are not online texts).

Be sure you fully understand how online exams work (suggest you do this before you enroll); otherwise, you could be in for quite a surprise.

Be sure you have other tutorials available to you that are necessary in an online format; for instance, a plagiarism tutorial.

Be sure you have an online writing center. Again, reputable online universities will have one available to you, at no extra cost.

Be sure you fully understand the online student code of conduct prior to enrollment. Most students fail to read this.

Be sure you know the difference in the online delivery mode for the institution chosen (in other words, is it fully asynchronous, synchronous, or hybrid). Asynchronous learning is where the student and instructor are not online at the same time, and there is no face-to-face (f2f) connection. Synchronous learning is where the student and instructor are online at the same time (similar to chat sessions). A hybrid-learning environment is a mixture of both. This is why it is critical to check which environment you are getting into.

Be sure to ask how many students are in each class in your full program of study (you do not want to be in any program that has so many students in the class that you are only a number and then you end up without any help when you need it. Be careful of some institutions that state they will provide tutors or teaching assistants because of 100 or so students in the course. You will then be just another number for an institution more interested in collecting profits rather than taking an interest in the learning outcomes for you and the other students. I would be very wary of this type of institution since I learned this first-hand. Suggestion, find another online program (university) as you truly do not want to be in any online program that has more than 25-30 students per course.

Be sure to ask about the qualifications of the online instructors/professors.

Be sure that you can understand the instructor/professors (written language). You want to be sure you get fully reputable faculty with high-quality grammar and communications skills, even in the online environment.

Be sure to ask how the online class is run, for instance, are you required to be in a chat session at any particular time in the course, even if it is a fully asynchronous environment. This could become a hardship if you are on the East coast and others in the class are on the West coast and/or other time zone(s).

Be sure and ask what the requirements are specific to your online class (in other words, how many times per week do you need to be online in that week); are there specific requirements you must meet in regards to participation or discussion rooms? If so, what are they?

Be sure to ask how long each class session runs; how much time off (if any) in between each online class, and if there are any breaks for any holidays.

Ask what the policy is for taking a break during the length of your program of study. In other words, can I take a month off without it affecting my financial aid or my program of study? Sometimes students get burned out and will need this break. Find out ahead of time.

Be aware of the online policies, for instance, what is expected in terms of payment; how do you register for your next course; whom can you contact in case issues arise; etc.