CALL Revolution

Well this first week there are quite a few readings dealing with having success with online learning. This post deals with the first two along with some other comments
The first reading is a page from the University of Guelph containing some quick hints on learning online. It could basically be summarized saying that in online distance courses it is important to do the following:

• Be familiar with the course, that means look around the website(s) or whatever platform the course is using and become comfortable.
• Keep up with the coursework, you are expected to participate in the different activities, forums, etc. As these courses tend to have a life of their own, getting behind can be more fatal than normal in this environment.
• Participation is also important as other class members will be relying on you to keep the class going (aka discussion postings, etc.-it's no fun writing to yourself)

Helpful tips, very general though-a good starter list I think.
The second reading entitled "What makes a Successful Online Student," likewise has a quick list though I think it is better than the first reading. It mentions that more and more online learning is becoming something for mainstream education, and not just the "working adult education niche." The reading brings up a number of great points, but I will just comment here on a couple of them.
Once again, the student must have dedication to the online course, "The online learning process is normally accelerated and requires commitment on the student’s part. Staying up with the class and completing all work on time is vital. Once a student gets behind, it is almost impossible to catch up." Just like in a face to face classroom students are required to keep up with the work and fulfill certain requirements, the same is try for online learning. A student should not assume that simply because the course is online it is easier, as the reverse may actually be true.
An online student must be willing to spend considerable amounts of time at a computer, as the article says 5-7 days a week. They must also be willing to and able to be flexible and find ways to work well with others and do projects which must be completed in new and different ways then in the physical world they may be used to. Online courses may not be for everybody, and not all teachers may have what it takes to teach online.
I am currently taking an intensive Winterim course on using the internet for language teaching. (Goes well with the EVO Webheads conference) I wanted to make sure I would have enough time during the break to complete all the tasks so I went to the teacher beforehand to see how much time it would actually take. However the reality is the time required is much greater than was anticipated. Now partly this is because I love to play around with technology and I have done additional things not necessarily required for the course, so no real complaints there. There are other students who have much less experience with technology and online courses, and I know that they are spending much more time than was anticipated.
So as teachers I think it is important to realize this, and be upfront with students at how much time it may take depending on skill levels, and media fluencies, etc. (Remember also that the time spent is not just students, but teachers can become very overwhelmed and end up with more work than expected as well!) And likely we will end up giving students more to do than they can easily handle, and we must than be extra flexible, more time may be necessary for one task or another, way may need to cut out some required things. This is true in any classroom, but maybe more important online. I think in the class I am taking right now, the teacher is aware of these issues, and has put in a lot of work on her side, and has been very flexible, allowing for change and having mercy on those students who really are struggling, and not just slacking.