Specifications
13
Taking an online course requires that you plan and organize your time and tasks carefully. Online
classes are not independent study. There are due dates and timelines to be met. At the
beginning of each semester, mark a calendar with every assignment due date so you can keep
track of all of your classes.
Online courses are not easier than traditional on campus classes. They may even take more of
your time because reading and writing take more time than listening and speaking. Some classes
have more written assignments, too. Many students organize their studies around their job and
family obligations. This makes it very important to take the initiative and set up a schedule.
If you do need assistance, you need to ask for it early enough to get a response from the instructor
or Blackboard Administrator before the assignment is due. It is never in your best interest to leave
assignments until the last minute. Examples:
Very few people can keep a detailed schedule day after day over a long period of time. Even with a
schedule, you realize that sometimes things get in the way of completing your tasks. The method of
organizing time described on the following page has been helpful to many students.
Scenario 3
It is 9 pm at night and you are working on an
assignment that is due at 12 am. You discover
that you do not understand one of the ques-
tions and need clarification from the instructor.
You email your instructor asking
for help but the instructor is not
checking email at that late hour.
You are unable to complete the
assignment without further clarifi-
cation.
Scenario 1
You have left a Discussion Board until the
last minute because you know exactly what
you want to say and are sure it will only
take 15 minutes or so. When you sit at your
computer you realize
the Internet is down
and you have no way
to post your entry in
time.
Scenario 2
Your work is nearly done, and you
plan to finish it right before it’s due. A
family emergency comes up and you
must be with your family. You do not
have time to finish your assignment
by the due date and time.
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