by Ysolt Usigan
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Wondering how you can successfully attend Web courses and earn your degree without committing eLearning trespasses?
Read on about seven deadly cyber school sins and what online learning experts suggest to escape common perils of online learning.
1. Poor time management
"Online students are expected to be responsible for their learning experience and to maintain active class participation without set times," explains Stephen Gatlin, president and CEO of Gatlin Education Services, which provides workforce development courses to colleges and universities. "So being able to manage your time effectively and efficiently is a major part of being an online student."
To bypass this cyber school glitch, the expert in career training programs suggests online students determine the time of day that's best for them to study and work on assignments. Are you a morning person or do you concentrate in the evening? Once you determine your ultimate focus time, says Gatlin, to schedule your school work accordingly and stay committed to that reserved time.
2. Neglecting your family and friends
"Making time for family and juggling your personal obligations while going to any college is a challenge," Gatlin explains. And since more than half of all online learners have full-time jobs, the intense demands of virtual courses can put a strain on time spent with those near and dear.
When Cynthia McKenney, now a professor at Texas Tech University was pursuing her Ph.D., she made it a point to balance her schoolwork with family time and responsibilities. "I would pay bills, watch a bit of TV, help the kids with homework, then I did my work," she explains. "I recommend recording activities in a log of 15- to 30-minute intervals."
If you do so, says Cynthia , you'll see a pattern in your schedule. "You'll also see little snatches of time," she says, ones you can turn into bigger blocks to schedule as family outings. "I intentionally planned more 'formal' family activities away from the house so that my family had my undivided attention - away from the phone, our pets, the TV, and the computer."
And when it's time to study, make that known around the household. "Let your children see you 'attend' class at the computer and explain it is just like you attending class outside of the house," says Cynthia. "Then set aside a special time that you will spend with them each day. They will look forward to your 'appointment' with them especially if you plan a fun activity to do together during that time." It's what the online professor refers to as the "quality versus quantity" method.
3. Distractions in the study environment
Some say schooling via computer screen sounds like heaven. You can work on assignments while you watch your favorite TV show. Put off schoolwork since there are no tight deadlines. You can even review a lesson plan or work on projects while in bed on your laptop. But ask yourself these questions: Will your projects be of impressive quality? Will you get the most out of your lesson plans?
Probably not.
That's why cyber school experts and students suggest you create the ideal environment that allows for you to work to your full potential.
"A room that is dedicated for studying is paramount," explains John Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor and associate professor of health sciences at the American Military University. "If the computer is in the living room, move it to another place where interruptions are less likely to take place."
A laptop is the perfect tool when it comes to cyber learning. "You can be online virtually anywhere," says Chris Consorte, who serves as adjunct professor at various New York universities. Do your studying where there are no distractions, close the door, take the phone off the hook or turn your ringer off.
4. Waiting until the last minute
When you don't have a professor breathing down your neck every other day in a face-to-face class, it's easy to put assignments off until their deadlines are mere hours - maybe even minutes - away. "One mistake online students make is cramming a semester's worth of work into the last minute," explains McKenney.
Counter procrastination by maintaining submission dates for assignments, putting the same amount of time and effort into a course as if it were a face-to-face class, says McKenney. "And recognize that you may need some experience in computer applications to complete a course."
Instead of working on an assignment the day before it's due, Hans Mumm, a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard who took online courses at the American Military University, suggests staying ahead of schedule
"I do my research in brief segments so I'm not spending hours at one time. I've set up my computer files to be very specific of all the projects I am working on so everything can be efficiently and effectively filed and found easily," Mumm explains. "You need to look at your life as a student with a very busy schedule and decide how your time can be best spent."
5. Not making the most out of the opportunities at your school
Missing out on the traditional campus experience - living in dorms, studying in the student center, Greek life - it's easy to forget what perks your school has to offer. Just because you're taking classes from the comfort of your own home, doesn't mean you have to miss out on what's available to traditional students.
For instance, some perks at colleges -- virtual and traditional -- include student discounts at movie theaters, restaurants, and bookstores; free recreation center memberships on campus and discounted rates at local gyms; mixers, events, and shows open to students; and career services and placement.
Make the most out of your university community by researching activities, programs and events in which you can partake. "Find out about all the opportunities at your school and take on what's best for you personally," Consorte advises. "Maximize opportunities that can contribute to your future like networking with classmates and potential business contacts."
6. Not broadening your educational horizons
When it comes to online learning, students usually have some flexibility when it comes to fulfilling core requirements. Yet many online learners take courses in their particular concentrations and neglect to dabble in subjects beyond that realm. Not testing the academic waters, so to speak, can limit your career pool of possibilities.
If you're enrolled in a cosmetology program, taking a couple of business classes couldn't hurt -- especially if you want to own your own salon one day. It's all about broadening your knowledge, explains Moore, who urges students to mix up their courses whenever possible.
"This means if you take a very technical class like statistics, the next course you enroll in should be one that is fun, exciting and creative," he explains. "This helps to serve as an incentive to keep you going, as well."
7. Dismissing the value of your educational journey
Most online programs are not just degree mills. Although cyber school is not the traditional approach to earning an education, this doesn't mean your degree is not on par with that of your classroom-based counterparts.
"Find out what makes each online program different and determine which one is right for you," says Gatlin. If you don't want to miss out on the typical college experience, consider a hybrid model that enables you to take some courses on campus, the rest online.
"If a potential employer recognizes the name of the school you received your degree from, you are more likely to be a leading candidate for the desired position," he continues. It doesn't matter whether you took your classes on site or online.
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