Organization
Tips for Organization when taking an Online Course
Once the decision has been made to take an online course, you then need to put into place the tools to be successful in completing an online course. One of the greatest indicators of successfully completing an online course is organization. Organizational skills are important for all students, but especially important for a student taking an online course. This is because an online student is in charge of keeping up with and staying on top of their coursework. There is no teacher physically present telling an online student what to do when. In this newsletter, we will discuss tips for getting organized as well as provide various tools to assist with staying organized.
Tips
Clear Workspace
It is important to have a work place that allows for productivity. Having a clear place to work allows you to be focused on the work at hand and be less distracted. Keep only essential items accessible, like the course schedule. All other clutter like magazines or mail should be kept somewhere else.
Clutter Free Computer
A computer can quickly become very cluttered causing it to become difficult to find needed items. Periodically, de-clutter your computer trashing things that are unnecessary and properly filing other items. Freeing up space on your computer will also help it to run faster and smoother.
Filing System
Come up with a filing system for your schoolwork. This could be placing a folder on your desktop for each course. You should also consider a set way to name your assignments for easy retrieval.
Follow Your Given Calendar Schedule
Although assignments are not due daily in the Fall and Spring semesters, it is best to complete assignments as closely to the day assigned on your course schedule as possible. The instructor has paced out the course to ensure highest possible success. Follow their pacing guide. Use time on the weekend to either catch up from the previous week or get ahead. Make a note of when tests are due and other important assignments within the course. You could even plug important due dates into your phone for additional reminders. In addition instead of aiming to meet the deadline, aim to complete assignments a day or two ahead of time. This way, if the unexpected occurs like you become ill or have a car wreck, you won't be required to make excuses or fall behind.
Storing Files and Backing Up Your Work
If you work some at school and some at home or even work on various computers in your home, how do you keep track of your assignments? In addition even if you have a new computer or perform regular maintenance on it to prevent viruses, things can still happen. Backing up your files as well as having a system in place to easily save your assignments so that you can easily retrieve them from wherever you decide to work is important when taking online courses. Two free options that provide this service you should check out are wikisend or dropbox.
- Wikisend: Upload and download lots of files, big files, small files, data files, media files, archives or backups - any files. With Wikisend it`s simple and free.
- Dropbox: Keep your files safe, synced, and easy to share. Save files on your computer, then access them on your phone from the road. Everything you keep in Dropbox is synced automatically to all your devices.
Organizataion Tools
Classmint.com
Classmint is an interactive study notes service rooted in research-proven scientific techniques that help to learn faster and apply learned knowledge. Classmint lets anyone create annotatable, audible, beautiful notes that can be folded like paper. It also maintains automated revision list to aid in timely revision.
Bubbl.us
Bubbl.us is a tool that enables users to create mind mapping and brainstorming diagrams online. To begin, the main topic/concept is entered in to the parent bubble. Then ideas and thoughts are recorded in colorful text bubbles linked to the parent bubble. Users continue to add text bubbles which are color coded according to hierarchy.
Flippity.net
Flippity.net is a tool that allows to easily turn a Google Spreadsheet into a set of online flashcards.
LiveBinders
LiveBinders is an online 3-ring binder that allows you to organize your digital information from websites to videos to Google Documents to Pinterest boards and more!
Create A Graph
Create A Graph guides you through the process of creating different types of graphs to ensure you include all of the important components of graphing. If you struggle with organizing data or information this website will help you.
After the Deadline
After the Deadline assists you in writing better. You include your text to be edited and Click Check Writing to get feedback on your writing. Click an underlined spelling error, grammar suggestion, or style suggestion to see more options.