Online Learning Tips

Manage your time well

Successful online learners are self-driven and motivated to complete coursework without the physical presence of an instructor and their peers. Time management and organization are essential to learning online. Make a schedule and stick to it. iSchool graduate students should plan to spend about 10-12 hours per week per 3-credit course engaging in online discussions, viewing online lectures, reading course materials, and completing assignments.

Speak up! Participate actively in course discussions and activities

Active participation makes online learning more effective and engaging. Much of the learning that occurs online takes place in the instructor-moderated course discussion boards where students exchange ideas with their peers. The discussion board acts as a semester long conversation around a topic of interest in the field. A major benefit of online learning is that at the end of the course, a record of the discussion still exists. Students can re-visit ideas and questions that emerged along the way, and even look back at how their own ideas on the course topic evolved over the semester.

Stay brief and to the point
Try to add relevant commentary to the discussion with each post; avoid reiterating other students’ posts without adding something new
Relate your posts to concepts from the course content or relevant posts from your peers
Remember that the discussion board is just a vehicle for a conversation between students and instructors. There is a real person on the other end of the written word. Comment thoughtfully on other students’ posts when given the opportunity and be sure to maintain a respectful academic dialogue in course-related discussions.
Many faculty have specific criteria for discussion participation. If this is not clearly articulated in the syllabus or elsewhere in the course space at the beginning of the semester, contact your instructor for details.

Stay connected to the school and your academic peers

Discussion boards provide a great opportunity to share scholarly thought, links to relevant web resources, and in some cases, social information and interaction. Distance students have great opportunities to network and stay connected outside the online classroom as well. The iSchool is active on several social networking sites including Youtube, Facebook and Twitter. Many students, faculty, and staff are active bloggers; ask around and you are likely to find someone who shares a professional interest. Students also enjoy connecting in real time via instant messenger or Skype, or via traditional phone. The ways and means to stay connected continue to evolve bringing our online students virtually closer to campus and to each other than ever before. Check out iSchool Life for more ideas on how to stay connected.

Life issues:

If something comes up that takes you away from your online studies, communicate clearly with your instructor, group members, and academic advisor to explain the situation in whatever detail you are comfortable with.

Share your experience

Talk about your online courses with friends, family, and co-workers you are able to speak with face-to-face. Support from those in your immediate physical environment pairs well with the encouragement and interactions you will have with your online peers and instructor, and may help you feel more connected to your program.

Pay attention to course and program technology requirements

iSchool IT and LMS staff strive to provide exemplary student support, but in order to facilitate this support, students must take responsibility for obtaining the hardware and software needed for the program, as well as any additional tools needed for specific courses (listed in course syllabi).

Learning Management System Questions

For questions or concerns related to the iSchool Learning Management System(LMS) contact the LMS assistant (ilms@syr.edu ) or Peggy Brown (pbrown01@syr.edu)

Prospective students interested in accessing a guest LMS account should contact the LMS assistant . (ilms@syr.edu ) or Peggy Brown (pbrown01@syr.edu)

Tips for Course Planning:

Register early

We recommend registering for classes as soon as you feel comfortable with your schedule. This will hold a spot for you in the course, and will also help us get information to you about textbooks, pre-assignments, etc prior to the start of the semester. Instructors will expect you to be ready the first day of class; it is your responsibility to make sure you have necessary materials and information.

Order required course materials as soon as possible

Most instructors will provide information on how to order textbooks and software online from regular commercial sources. To avoid issues with shipping delays and availability students are advised to order materials as soon as this information is available.

Review syllabi as soon as they are available

Draft syllabi are typically available to current students 1-2 weeks prior to the start of courses in the School of Information Studies Course Syllabi site in the LMS, however this varies by instructor.

Syllabi from previous semesters’ versions of many courses are also available in the course syllabi LMS site. These versions provide helpful information about course content; however students should be aware that the actual textbook requirements, assignments, and course schedule may vary.

Prospective students interested in viewing syllabi should contact the LMS assistant . (ilms@syr.edu ) or Peggy Brown (pbrown01@syr.edu)