How to Prepare for Online Learning


by Rick Boklage - Date: 2006-12-28 - Word Count: 338 Share This!

If you've never taken an online course before there are a few things you need to do in the weeks before class starts. Getting ready for online training can basically be broken down into three categories; preparing yourself, preparing your workspace and preparing your computer.

To be successful in an online class you need to have some basic computer skills. Most schools recommend that students know how to access various items on the desktop, create and save files, send and receive e-mail, download and send attachments, install new software, operate a word processing program and use an internet browser. If your skills are rusty in any of these areas have a more computer savvy friend give you some lessons or take a quick training course in basic computer skills.

Because you won't be sitting in a classroom for your course, you need to prepare a classroom space at home. Be sure your computer is in a quiet place away from distractions like the television or stereo. Make a "Class in Progress" sign to post on the door to reduce interruptions from family members. Place a wall calendar near your computer and use it to keep track of test dates and assignment due dates. Also, keep a notebook near the computer and write down your instructors e-mail address and phone number, as well as contact information for the school administration and your internet service provider's technical support so that you can still contact these people if your computer crashes or the power goes out.

To prepare you computer for online learning check with your school to find out what kind of computer, software and internet access is recommended. Make sure that your virus protection is current and then ensure that your internet software is up-to-date by visiting the distributor's website and downloading any recent upgrades or patches. In the week before class starts download and install applications that the school provides for the course and take any online tutorials they offer to familiarize yourself with the technology you'll be using in class.


Related Tags: e-learning, online training, online course

Rick Boklage manages the large training resource specific website Focus My Training. For more information visit http://www.focusmytraining.com

Your Article Search Directory : Find in Articles

© The article above is copyrighted by it's author. You're allowed to distribute this work according to the Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivs license.
 

Recent articles in this category:



Most viewed articles in this category: