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Student Learning Success: Online learning

REMOTE & ONLINE LEARNING can be enjoyable and rewarding, and being prepared will help set you up for success. You’re probably using study materials like online articles or videos, but you might not be using specific strategies to support your learning.

Tips

Expect to learn from non-traditional resources such as audio files or animation.

When studying from digital resources, try using a computer instead of your phone and take notes. This can make it easier to remember the details.

Be prepared to read and write a lot.

Check your email and D2L frequently for messages from your instructors.

For online (remote) courses, confirm the technical requirements (hardware, software, etc.) before the class begins.

Self-reflection

How will you organize and track your course materials and assignments?

If a remote course includes a lecture component (through video, audio, etc.), have you set aside a specific time and private place to participate? 

When doing your coursework at home, how will you manage distractions?

How will you manage your time to avoid last-minute cramming and panic?

Do you know when your assignments are due for each course, and have you marked the deadlines on a print or electronic calendar?

D2L (Desire2Learn)

Most Camosun instructors use an online learning management system called D2L. When you log in to D2L, you’ll generally find course outlines, assignments and due dates, readings, and other course materials. 

  • Review these D2L tutorials.
  • Log in to D2L daily for each applicable course. Many instructors will communicate with you through D2L. 
  • Familiarize yourself with the D2L layout for each course. Instructors organize their course materials in different ways. 
  • Know where to find everything: the learning outcomes, course outline (which usually includes assignment due dates), and assignment guidelines so you can find them quickly when you need to.
  • If your instructor doesn’t provide handouts, consider printing course outlines and assignment guidelines for frequent handy reference.
  • If you prefer not to print, consider downloading materials to your computer so you can organize them and mark them up.
  • For help with D2L, Collaborate, or Kaltura, contact elearning@camosun.ca.

Online Learning

Most Camosun courses include some digital resources. Instructors may ask you to read online articles or PDFs, watch videos, or take online quizzes and tests. How will you manage this effectively?

  • Figure out how the resource connects to the learning outcomes or a specific assignment. Why do you think your instructor assigned it (purpose)?
  • Keeping the purpose in mind, take notes from the source. 
  • For taking notes, consider the format: digital notes are handy, but you have to remember where you save them. Handwritten notes may help you remember the material better, but will you be able to find them when you need them? Index cards work well if you want to take notes in the form of test questions. Try out the different options to find out which one works best for you. 
  • For long sources, break down the work into chunks. If you have to read 100 pages by Friday, for example, how many pages is that per day? Depending on how the source is organized, you could break it down by section headings. 
  • See the Tools and Resources section for online test-taking tips.

Remote Courses

Remote courses can be easier if you plan ahead. Consider these ideas to help you out:

  • Remote courses are just as much work as face-to-face courses, so be sure to take this into account when you plan your time.
  • Expect to participate in a discussion board through D2L or some other application. 
  • Confirm equipment requirements such as a headset/microphone combo, or speakers and a built-in mic on your laptop. 
  • Confirm technical requirements, like ensuring reliable internet access and downloading required software. 
  • Consider using Chrome if you have issues with other browsers.
  • Keep in mind that you cannot access everything on an iPhone, for example, Adobe Flash. 

Studying at Home Video