I don't just teach; I'm a student, too. This summer, I'm taking an online course towards my next degree. I've had limited experience as an online student, but based on my conversations with fellow students, and my own experience as an instructor, I've come up with a plan of attack:
1) Stay on top of things--Class participation counts in an online class. Summer classes tend to be very short, and things go quickly. I need to get things done earlier rather than later, as technical difficulties and lack of planning are not the teacher's problem.
2) Pay attention to IT issues--Am I using the right browser? Do I need to disable pop-up blockers? It's up to me to find the answers and get issues resolved.
3) Talk, and listen, to my classmates--As mentioned, class participation makes up a big part of the overall grade. Quality counts as much, if not more than, quantity. That means taking time to consider other points of view and formulating thoughtful responses.
4) Think before you hit the send button--Ask questions as needed, but see if you can find the answers yourself, first. Is there an FAQ section? Could the question have been addressed in an earlier e-mail or document? People asking the same questions over and over are annoying to others.
5) Proofread!!--Proofreading is a way of showing respect: Respect for your ideas and respect for the audience (in this case, the professor and your classmates). There is spell checker, and a host of other resources, as well as old-fashioned reading out loud. Proofreading is your friend.
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