Keys to Successful Online Learning
While regular schools still exist, the virtual classroom plays an important role in today's learning community. Job opportunities for students are expanding rapidly and more people of all ages are becoming aware of online learning that allows them to study at home. Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students.
1. Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and learning experiences as part of online learning.
Many different people find that the online method requires them to use their experiences and that online learning offers them a place to communicate with each other. This forum for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder some students from expressing themselves. In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before replying. In this way, students can help to keep the online environment open and friendly.
2. Be able to communicate through writing.
In the virtual classroom nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that students feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. Some students have limited writing abilities which need to be improved before or as part of the online experience. This usually requires extra commitment by these students. Whether working alone or in a group, students share ideas, perspectives and discussions on the subject being studied, and read about those of their classmates. In this way, students gain great insight from their peers, learning from each other as well as the instructor.
3. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
Remember that instructors cannot see their students in an online course. This means students must be absolutely explicit with their comments and requests. If they experience technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, they MUST speak up; otherwise there is no way anyone can know something is wrong. If one person does not understand something, possibly several others have the same problem. If another student is able to help, she/he probably will. While explaining something to others, students reinforce their own knowledge about the subject.
4. Take the program seriously.
Online learning is not easier than study in regular classrooms. In fact, many students say it requires much more time and effort. Requirements for online courses are not less than those of any quality program. Successful students, however, see online learning as a convenient way to receive their education-not an easier way. Many online students sit at computers for hours at a time during evenings and on weekends in order to complete their assignments. When other people are finished and having fun is most likely the time when online students do their course work. Online students need to commit 4 to 15 hours a week for each course.
5. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning.
Online courses require students to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate information and make the right decisions based on critical thinking. In a positive online environment, students feel valued by the instructor, by their classmates and by their own work.
6. Be able to think ideas through before replying.
Providing meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of online learning. Time is given to allow for careful development of answers. Testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged. Many times online students will not always be right; they just need to be prepared to accept a challenge.
7. Keep up with the progress of the course.
Online learning is normally sequential and requires commitment on the students' part. Keeping up with the face-to-face class and completing all work on time is vital. Once students get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Students need to want to be there and need to want the experience. The instructor may have to communicate with students personally to offer help and remind them of the need to keep up.
Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators, not all students have the necessary qualities to perform well online. People who have the qualities discussed above usually make very successful online students. If you have these qualities, learning online may be one of the best discoveries you will ever make.
Words: 715
New Words
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| n. |
a group of people living together and/or united by the same interest, religion or nationality
社区，社会, 团体，界
The people in our community attend all the sports meetings at the high school.
住在我们社区里的人参加那所学校举办的所有运动会。 |
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| v. |
1. (cause to) increase in size, number, degree or volume
（使）扩大，（使）扩张，(使)扩展
We expanded our house when we had a second baby.
有了第二个小孩之后，我们把房子扩大了一点。
2. grow larger
膨胀
Wooden doors expand in hot, wet weather.
木门在潮热天气会膨胀。 |
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| a. |
having knowledge or understanding
意识到的，知道的
New babies are sometimes not aware of other people.
新生儿有时并不意识到他人的存在。
We were not aware of the rain until we went outside.
直到我们走出门才意识到下雨了。 |
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| a. |
1. being the only one of its type
惟一的，独特的 ，独一无二的
The music of that small country is very unique.
那个小国家的音乐非常独特。
2. unusual
极不寻常的，极好的
We have developed a unique method for preparing beef.
我们发明了一种加工牛肉的好办法。 |
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| a. |
next
接着的，下述的
the five following sentences
下面五个句子
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| n. |
a group of supporters or admirers
一批追随者
He has a wide following.
他有一大批追随者。 |
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| a. |
1. perfect; what one like best
完满的；理想的
An ideal place for a home would be near a park.
理想的家居应靠近公园。
2. out of one's mind, not real; not practical
想像的，空想的
The ideal design would never be put into practice.
脱离实际的设计永远不会付诸实施。 |
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| a. |
of or gained by sight
视觉的，看得见的
The visual ability of cats is much better than that of dogs at night.
晚上猫的视觉比狗的要好得多。 |
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| n. |
1. sth. used to keep people or things apart or to prevent or control their movement
栅栏，关卡，检票口
Because the road was being repaired, barriers were put up to prevent people from driving in that area.
因为修路而架起了栅栏，不让汽车开到那里。
2. (to) sth. non-physical that keeps people apart or prevents movement
障碍，隔阂
Mary did not let her lack of money become a barrier to getting a good education.
玛丽不让缺钱成为她接受良好教育的障碍。
3. 屏障 |
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| n. |
1. the act of adding
加，加法
The teacher taught the pupils to do addition.
老师教小学生做加法。
2. sth. or sb. added
增加的人（或物）
He will be an important addition to our board.
他将是新加入我们董事会的重要人物。 |
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| v. |
1. think quietly and deeply
深思，考虑，反省
You should reflect on this problem before you make a decision.
你得考虑一下这个问题再作决定。
2. show
反映, 体现
Her poor grades reflect her lack of interest in school.
她成绩很差，说明她在学校对读书没有兴趣。
3. turn, throw or bend back sth. from a surface
反射，显示
The sky and the brightly colored trees were reflected in the calm surface of the lake.
平静的湖面上映出了天空和色彩艳丽的树木的倒影。 |
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| n. |
the physical and social conditions in which people live
环境，周围状况，自然环境
We should take care not to hurt our environment.
我们得小心不要破坏环境。 |
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| a. |
1. of or being in a moment of great danger, difficulty or uncertainty
决定性的，关键性的，危急的
It is reported that the meeting is critical for future decisions.
据报道这次会议对于以后的决定是至关重要的。
2. giving a careful judgment of the qualities of sth.
批评的，批判的
The boss was critical of his men who were slow and careless.
老板对于干活又慢又粗心的人很挑剔。 |
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| n. |
the fact of having the skill or knowledge of doing sth.
能力，本领, 才能，才智
People believe that many abilities are developed through practice.
人们相信人的许多能力是从实践中获得的。 |
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| n. |
a way of considering sth.
视角，观点，想法
The new discovery put an entirely different perspective on the case.
新的发现使我们要从完全不同的角度来看待这个案子。 |
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| n. |
a person of the same age, class or position
同龄人，同等地位的人
The child is much cleverer than his peers.
这孩子比他同龄人聪明得多。 |
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| vt. |
1. give orders or directions to
指示，命令；通知
Mr. Smith instructed his men that they only got two days to finish all the work.
史密斯先生通知手下，他们只有两天时间来完成全部任务。
2. give knowledge or information to
教育，指导
Who is instructing your typing?
谁在教你打字？ |
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| vi. |
1. come into being, appear, happen
产生；出现；发生
Birds also attack the crops when the opportunity arises.
一有机会鸟也会来吃庄稼。
2. (from) come from
（由... ...）引起，（由... ...）产生，起源于
Mistakes often arise from misunderstandings.
错误常常源于误会。
3. get up from sitting or sleeping
起身，起床
He arose at 6:30 a.m. as usual.
像平时一样，他6点半起床。 |
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| a. |
complete, perfect
十足的，地道的
If I were president I must be given absolute power.
如果我是总统，我必须拥有绝对的权力。 |
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| ad. |
completely, perfectly
十足地，地道
She is absolutely sure that she can do the job.
她非常确信自己能做这项工作。 |
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| n. |
1. the ability to know and learn
理解力
The child has no understanding problems according to the doctor.
据医生说，那小孩没有理解能力方面的问题。
2. sympathetic and therefore not blaming
谅解
The two sides have reached an understanding.
双方达成了一项谅解。 |
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| vt. |
add strength or support to make (some idea, etc.) stronger or firmer
增强，加强，加固
The scientist reinforced his viewpoints by giving many facts.
科学家列举出许多事实来加强他的观点。 |
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| n. |
sth. that is needed or necessary
要求，必要条件; 需要，需要的东西
Students who cannot meet the minimum requirements would not be able to pass the exams.
不能达到最低要求的学生将不可能通过考试。 |
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| a. |
that can be reasonably expected, probably
可能的，有希望的
It is not likely that he would come at this time of the day.
他不太可能这个时候来。
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| ad. |
probably
可能地 |
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| vt. |
1. decide to use ... for a particular purpose
使用; 用于
The government committed millions of dollars to develop online learning.
政府把几百万美金用于发展网络教育。
2. do sth. wrong or illegal
犯（错误、罪行等），干（蠢事、坏事等)
This is the man who committed the murder.
这就是犯杀人罪的那个人。
3. (oneself)promise to a certain cause
使承担义务，使承诺
The government has committed itself to improving education.
政府承诺将发展教育。 |
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| n. |
[U]information or some other kinds of resources that are put in/into
输入，投入
Any information that you put into a computer is taken as input.
输进计算机的任何信息均被视为输入。 |
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| a. |
completely necessary
必不可少的，绝对必要的，非常重要的
It is essential to remember every detail.
记住每个细节至关重要。
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| n. |
(usu. pl.) sth. necessary
要素，要点
What are the essentials of good teaching?
成功教学的要素是什么？ |
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| vt. |
1. question the rightness of
对... ... 质疑，对... ... 怀疑
They challenged the authority of what he said.
他们对他所说话的权威性提出质疑。
2. invite sb. to compete against one in
向... ... 挑战
To prove that he was faster than his friend, John challenged him to a race.
为了证明他比他的朋友跑得快，约翰提出与他赛跑。 |
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| ad. |
in the usual way or to the usual degree
通常，正常地
a normally active child
活泼正常的孩子 |
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| n. |
1. 连续，一连串
a sequence of good news
一连串的好消息
2. 次序，顺序
having the names in alphabetical sequence
把名字按字母顺序排列 |
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| a. |
of, forming or following in sequence
连续的 |
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| a. |
1.very important
极其重要的
It is vital for the government to take immediate measures to deal with the situation.
政府立即采取措施对付这种局势是极其重要的。
2. full of life and force
有生命的，充满生机的 |
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| a. |
1. producing the desired result
有效的，生效的，起作用的
Their efforts to improve the school have been very effective.
他们改善学校环境的努力卓有成效。
2. having a pleasing effect
效果好的, 给人印象深刻的 |
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have a position or role in
... 起 ... ...作用
Online learning is playing a very important role in education.
网络学习在教育中起着重要的作用。 |
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having knowledge or understanding
对... ...清楚
He was not aware of the mistake he had committed.
他并没有意识到他犯错了。 |
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what is more; besides
另外，加之
In addition to teaching, the online course also gives the students tests.
除了教学之外，网络课程也对学生实施考试。 |
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think carefully
深思，考虑，反省
After reflecting on it, I have decided to give up the job.
经过一番思考，我决定放弃那项工作。 |
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take into consideration
考虑到，顾及，为... ...留出余地
We must start early, to allow for finding their house.
我们得早点出发，留出时间来寻找他们的房子。 |
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