Keep three things in mind as you approach an online class: participation, persistence, and patience!

Participation plays an important role. You must be an active, involved and independent learner. Your comments, questions, and answers are valuable in making the class feel like a community. Actively joining in will also make you feel more like a member of the group.

Remember that answers to questions don't always have to come from an instructor. Use email or the discussion forums to ask questions of other students. Form virtual study groups to support each other in the class.

Read your course syllabus thoroughly, review it from time to time, and stay in close contact with your instructor.

Persistence is a valuable quality for online learners, too. Keep trying until you get the answers you need. If technical problems come up, don't put off dealing with them. Send a note to the instructor immediately (thomas.nolan@sonoma.edu), review technical info available online or contact the Web Support help desk: 707-664-2339 (M thru F); their email is: web.support@sonoma.edu

The same is true with questions about material covered in the course. Make notes on areas where you have questions or need help, and actively seek out the answers from your classmates. Post questions for your instructor in the "Questions for Instructor" forum. (Chances are that someone else will have the same question and will be glad you asked it.) No one can see that baffled look on your face, so if you need clarification or explanation, ask for it.

Treat your online course(s) with the same dedication and effort that you would devote to on-campus face-to-face courses. Give yourself plenty of time to complete your assignments and prepare for tests and quizzes.

Most online courses have a steady weekly schedule of assignments. Staying on top of these is important to success. My online courses are not "self-paced" in that you do need to pay attention to deadlines ("drop dead dates").

Use the calendar or assignments page to carefully map out your schedule, and then stick with it, making special note of any times you have required assignments or quizzes/tests.

Patience will help you in online learning too.

Be patient with yourself. Allow extra time as needed to master any course content or any new technical skills that may be unfamiliar to you.

Be patient with others in the class, too, and be considerate in your comments and emails. When you send email or place a comment in the discussion forums, remember that there is a person on the other side. If you disagree with someone, don't "flame" them by lashing out in words. It is all right to disagree, but it is not all right to get belligerent. You wouldn't start yelling at someone in a face-to-face course; the same rules of etiquette apply in an online classroom.

Others can't see that you're smiling when you make a sarcastic remark, or that you're angered by someone's statement. Write your messages carefully so that they clearly convey your meaning.

• Be open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.
• Be able to communicate through writing.
• Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
• Be willing to commit to 10-12 hours per week per course.
• Be able to meet the minimum requirements for the program.
• Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
• Be able to think ideas through before responding.
• Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.