Strategies for Success in the Online Learning Environment.

Online learning has presented new challenges when it is compared with the traditional form of learning. This is because the students are separated from their instructors. This is done through a computer screen where one can be far from one another. The instructors find it difficult to engage the student in the content, activities, learning, and assessments. There are frustrations and even isolation and how to keep the students motivated throughout arises (Stavredes, 2011).

In order to make online learning environment a success, there are several barriers that should be eliminated. Social barriers are one of the challenges that face online learning. It is important to foster the community in online courses so that there can be some interaction between the students and the instructor (Stavredes, 2011). Strategies such as making the first contact before the course begins such as sending short videos with a personal touch will assist in overcoming the barriers. Creating an introductory activity and providing opportunities for learning interaction plays an important role.

Administration barriers hinder the success of online learning. To overcome such barriers strategies such as establishing contacts and hours to communicate through the email address and phone numbers will allow the students to communicate with the office during working hours using adobe connect and Google hangouts (Rodgers et al, 2009). This helps in avoiding the feeling of frustration. Providing directions often using various means and also providing effective and timely feedback will help in the success of online learning (Stavredes, 2011).

Overcoming motivational barriers will help in student engagement and help to keep track. Breaking down of information that is easier for the brain to digest will help in making the information more meaningful. This can be achieved through lectures video. Sending reminders to the student to keep them on track and using a variety of modalities and multimedia will make the online learning environment more conducive (Rodgers et al, 2009).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

Rogers, P. L., Berg, G. A., Boettcher, J. V., Howard, C., Justice, L., & Schenk, K. (2009).             Encyclopedia of distance learning. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference.

Stavredes, T. (2011). Effective online teaching: Foundations and strategies for student success.   San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.