Tips for Successful Online Learning
A lot of these tips are geared towards CPHL and HSM students; however, many of them are applicable to distant learning students in all programs at the School of Nursing. Click on the following link to go to a list of more general tips for online success.
What to do before starting the online CPHL and HSM programs
- Read the new student packet you get in the mail from the School’s Registrar. There will be key information and important updates for all entering online students.
- Attend the new student orientation and training for entering online students. You will also need to attend the first day of online classes.
- Make sure you have the appropriate computer hardware and software for the online program and obtain a high-speed internet connection if possible. You will be advised on what hardware and software are necessary for the program.
- Complete the online Blackboard tutorial.
- Register for classes and pay tuition. Contact the School’s Registrar if you have problems doing this.
- Get a UVA email account, an E-Services account, and set up UVA Anywhere (or UVA Lite). You will be instructed on how to set up these accounts at orientation.
- Become familiar with the School of Nursing website.
- Become familiar with the Blackboard page. Read the Guidelines for online courses and access the library resources (requires UVA Anywhere or UVA Lite).
- Attend a technology workshop offered by the School (these are typically only offered before Spring and Fall semesters). These workshops are optional and are geared towards entering students who need help with basic computer skills and understanding the University’s technology systems and resources.
- Complete your NetLearning competencies. You can enter NetLearning at this page.
What to do shortly after entering the online CPHL and HSM programs
- Successfully complete the online technology competencies. These are for new CPHL and HSM students only. You will be notified by email when they are available, which will generally be within the first few weeks of school.
- Get help with any computer problems you are having from the School’s IS support team. The Help Desk can be reached on the web here or by phone here (434) 924-8686. The helpdesk is availible Monday to Friday 8:00-5:30 EST in McLeod Hall room 3011.
What to do shortly after entering the online CPHL and HSM programs
- Notify your instructor immediately if you are having computer problems and cannot participate in online sessions. Follow up with the SON Help Desk.
- Notify your instructor if you expect to miss online sessions due to work, family, other obligations. Your instructor will let you know if any extra work will be expected
- Do not hesitate to email your instructor with questions about the course.
- Do not hesitate to email your program advisor if you have any concerns with a course or program. Phone calls or in person visits can be scheduled as needed.
What to do shortly after entering the online CPHL and HSM programs
- Successfully complete the online technology competencies. These are for new CPHL and HSM students only. You will be notified by email when they are available, which will generally be within the first few weeks of school.
- Get help with any computer problems you are having from the School’s IS support team. The Help Desk can be reached on the web here or by phone here (434) 924-8686. The helpdesk is availible Monday to Friday 8:00-5:30 EST in McLeod Hall room 3011.
Additional tips from Sarah Northam’s October 2005 article “Tips for time management with online learning” from the Online Journal of Nursing Informatics, 9(3).
- Identify your learning obstacles (ie noise, hunger, fatigue, interruptions, work) and come up with at least one solution for each obstacle. Recognize what facilitates success for you and work to overcome your learning obstacles. While working do not get distracted by answering cell phones, or breaking often for something to eat. Some breaks to move around, improve circulation and eating to provide brain nourishment can be helpful, but taking frequent breaks undermines the process of learning and reduces productivity. When you get to “the point of reading and re-reading the same line in a text or you hit a brick wall in writing, you can ask yourself if you have worked well and now deserve a break. There is a difference between working productively and just wasting time.
- Identify your most productive hours of the day and week and set aside time to work on your coursework during those times.
- Try to work regularly on your coursework, rather than infrequently. Even if you can only work for short amounts of time everyday or every other day, you will avoid having to re-learn information you have already studied. You will be most successful in the online program when you are self-directed in your learning and hold yourself accountable for working productively.
- Make a work setting for yourself so you have all the books and supplies you need in one spot. This will enable you to optimize your learning time.
- Map your coursework deadlines on a calendar. By adding test dates and project and assignment deadlines, you can then backtrack and create some personal deadlines that will help you meet all your class deadlines.
- Learn to manage emails more productively. While studying if you think of something you want to email, such as a question about material, it is best to jot it down on a piece of paper or in a Word document. Send your email once you have finished studying so you can include all of your questions in one message. Email doesn’t take a lot of thought, but it can break concentration and take significant time away from studying.
- Organize your emails into folders so you can read all new class emails at one time. Helpful tip: In Microsoft Outlook the rules function allows you to search for words in the subject line and text of emails.
- For some reading online can be slower than reading printed pages. If necessary, print copies of reading material so you can read faster and reduce eye strain involved with prolonged reading from a computer. Depending on your printer and financial situation, printing can be slow and costly, so it is up to you to decide if the time and cost are worth the effort of printing.
- Open multiple windows while working in order to multi-task. You can be working on one assignment while the computer is performing another function. You could also try opening a Word document so you can jot down important points on the computer rather than writing them down on paper.
- Read the textbook chapter summaries before you read the chapters. This way you can know what the main topics are and you can be familiar with the content before you begin reading. You might also find it helpful to take notes in the margins of your book or in a Word document like mentioned above.
- If the instructor supports the idea, you might consider forming a study group to divide the reading material and create outlines. Study groups can also be helpful using the online discussion feature in Blackboard. Just make sure your time spent together is focused on studying and does not involve too much social chat.
- Make your learning portable. Create and carry around flash cards of important concepts or carry your textbook, laptop, or notes with you so you can take advantage of unexpected opportunities to study.
- Positively reinforce your success by checking off items on a study to-do list.
- Listen to digital audio recordings of lectures or events while exercising, cleaning or cooking.
- Try verbalizing what you are learning. This may involve explaining concepts to your professor, classmates, or a friend or synthesizing your reading into concise notes. Additionally, try to question concepts you learn so you can develop better critical thinking skills.