World Wide Learn:

Let's start with the burning question . . . what is your biggest tip for online student success?

Stephanie Coleman:

That's easy, and it comes in capital letters: DO NOT PROCRASTINATE! Typically there is a single, major project that is due the last day of class. It varies - it might be a team project or an individual project. But that project builds on what you learn from the first class onward. I tell my students that they need to be working on it as we go along so they don't try to rush through everything during the final week.

World Wide Learn:

If only we could all heed that advice every day! Ok, what's the next big suggestion?

Stephanie Coleman:

My next piece of advice is to be organized. Have a dedicated place to work, and schedule a dedicated time to work.

It's different when you're not in a classroom, there's a certain level of structure you don't have online. You have to create structure for yourself . . . to keep from going off to walk the dog, or relax at the park, when you should be studying.

Also, it really helps to have your own computer. The reason I suggest this is my university has moved from hard copy books to online books. So with all reading materials online, you really need a computer that you can access whenever you need it.

World Wide Learn:

Is there anything that you advise beyond the online classroom?

Stephanie Coleman:

Not to rely on the text or just on lectures. When you're doing a major project you need to be doing real-world research, and it can all be done online.

World Wide Learn:

Do you find that students follow your advice?

Stephanie Coleman:

(Laughs). They're people. There will always be those who rush through at the end. People are people, and there will always be some who will try and test you. The students who are going to get an "A" don't have to be told these things.

World Wide Learn:

Online is a different environment. Do you feel connected to your students and the fact that they have busy lives?

Stephanie Coleman:

I do have empathy. However, they have made a choice, and need to understand that when you decide to go online and take an accelerated program such as the ones I teach, you are going to receive a large amount of work and be expected to do it.

I don't say that to scare anybody, but so that people have realistic expectations. It isn't easy. It requires dedication and a lot of organization.

World Wide Learn:

So you're saying it's crucial for students to take their online courses seriously . . .

Stephanie Coleman:

It really wouldn't benefit you to get a lesser course of study than what a traditional non-accelerated course would offer. We teach the skills that you need. Regardless of the letters behind your name, you wouldn't have the skills that are expected in the marketplace.

World Wide Learn:

Give me an idea of the weekly flow for your classes . . .

Stephanie Coleman:

Class starts every week on Thursday. So on Wednesday, I post a lecture with a combination of my own material and specific material from University of Phoenix. The assignments will include three discussion questions. By Saturday, the students are to have posted answers to those three discussion questions - 100 words or more - and the dialogue will flow from those. On Monday there might be another assignment either an individual paper or a team assignment. These are posted to a read-only assignments folder that the university archives as a permanent record.

World Wide Learn:

Do you find people can easily adapt to the online learning environment?

Stephanie Coleman:

Yes, once someone has spent a couple of weeks at it, they know what to expect compared to in-classroom. Plus the University of Phoenix requires a starter course in communications that covers the requirements of online learning - what a "post" is, how to use Outlook Express, and other online tools.

As an instructor, I had to take a class in how to teach online - it was facilitated in the same way as classes that I now teach. I had to do posts, and take tests in how to use Outlook. They make sure that everyone can use the environment.

World Wide Learn:

We've talked about tips and challenges that students face . . . are there challenges you face as a teacher? Any tips that might help other online instructors?

Stephanie Coleman:

One of the challenges for me, because I'm not a student, is that my time has to be focused on watching the dialogue between the students, seeing who is or isn't picking it up, and reading their papers. Reading the assignments is a challenge, because even though it's content that I'm familiar with, it may not be used every day in my job. I have to go back and re-read a lot of the material to make sure I'm getting it right. For the teacher it's a double challenge.

It's important for the students to know that the teacher is taking it seriously - he or she isn't just glossing over it.

World Wide Learn:

Do you have fun teaching online?

Stephanie Coleman:

I wouldn't do it if it wasn't fun!

World Wide Learn:

Do you think the students have fun? Can you tell?

Stephanie Coleman:

I think sometimes they do. A lot of times you see an "ah-ha." They're plodding along and all of a sudden you see that they've "gotten" it. The tone of what they are writing about is like a whole new world has opened up to them. Since I'm teaching business students, suddenly they start to understand why things happen the way they do at their jobs.

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