How to Succeed in your Online Courses

Interested in a course that can help you with online learning? Need additional support?

**Register for our new 1 credit Online Success Strategies course. STARTS Every TERM. Click HERE for more information on the Quarter course, and HERE for the Semester course.**

Have additional questions? Feel free to email us a learnersupport@ewu.edu. We are happy to help!

Step 1: What to do BEFORE the course starts:

Technological Readiness

Before beginning an online course, make sure that you are ready! Do you have the equipment that you need? A computer? Internet connection? Will you need special programs, and if so…how do you access those? (This information is usually found on the course syllabus)
Do you have the necessary computer skills to accomplish the tasks of the course? Do you understand how to use Canvas, Word, Adobe, Google? If not, now is a good time to determine where to go for help. (See resources at the end of this page)
Be sure to consider time zones. All EWU courses are taught in Pacific time. You may not be in the same time zone as your instructor. For help, see: https://www.thetimezoneconverter.com/
If you have a visual or audio impairment, ensure that you have the necessary equipment to participate in the course.

Courseware Readiness

Purchase your course textbook, which may be an eBook. Many online courses complete the bulk of their coursework through an online program such as Pearson, or Connect. You are responsible for making sure that you purchase the appropriate materials so that you can access the content.
Most eBooks have a built-in tutorial. Preview your materials prior to the start of the course. You should explore the tools built in to your online materials and become familiar with how to navigate the required programs and materials.
If there is an online orientation for your course, be sure to watch or attend the session. This can offer you valuable information from the instructor that you might not otherwise receive.

Mental Readiness

Step 1 Checklist: Complete BEFORE the course begins

Have course access by computer (this is most likely Canvas)
Set-up an email folder for course emails and communication
Have access to textbook and other required materials
Start a Course Binder so you have everything in one place
Print and read the course syllabus; store it in the course binder
Create a time management calendar that outlines each day of the week. Include due dates of assignments, tests, lectures, and tasks
Know the resources available if you need help, write them down and put them in your course binder. This could include PLUS, DSS, the Math Lab, or online resources
Attend a course orientation if offered
Purchase materials required for course
Familiarize yourself with the book/eBook and the program used for your online course materials
Contact your course instructor or the DSS office if you require special accommodations

Step 2: What to do DURING THE FIRST WEEK

Controlling your Time, Tasks, and Online Learning Environment

Now that your course has started, it’s time to make sure that you are on track to be successful. Some of the process outlined below will mimic the process in Step 1. This is because these actions are imperative to online success. By completing these tasks, you are giving yourself a better chance of starting strong, staying strong throughout the term, and finishing with a good grade.

Create a workspace

Create a dedicated space to complete your online course tasks
1. You will need somewhere with limited distractions
2. Know what works best for YOU, and be willing and able to communicate this with those around you
3. f you are distracted by TV or other noise, create your space away from those distractions
4. Maybe your bed isn’t the best place for you to study; maybe you need to be at the kitchen table or the den
5. Know that this may be fluid and can change from day to day, or even for specific tasks
6. Make sure that you are able to practice good online etiquette
7. Be aware of what time of day works best for you. Some people accomplish more in the morning or do their best work at night
Make sure that your workspace is conducive to getting work done
1. Stable internet connection
2. Are you physically comfortable in the space? Don’t sit somewhere that makes you sore after 20 minutes.
3. Do you have room to store your course binder(s) and materials? Are you the only one using the space? If not, be sure you’ve communicated with the other people in the space about your materials and time needed in the space.

Read the Course Syllabus

This may be a link in Canvas, or it may be a file that your instructor has uploaded into Canvas. Either way, make sure you are familiar with it.
Have there been any changes to the syllabus since the course started? If so, be sure to note them on your printed copy stored in your course binder.
Make sure you have located the following information on your syllabus: Required materials, assignments and their due dates, test dates, project dates.
Make sure you know if you have weekly discussions. Many online courses require weekly discussions with other class members; be sure you have located where these live in Canvas and know how to complete them.

Compile the Course Binder

In Step 1, you made a binder to store all of your materials. Now you can begin adding materials to it. Materials can include:
- Course Syllabus
- Weekly online lecture notes
- Handouts or other documents provided in modules.
- How-to pages from your courseware and instructions from your instructor.
- Your instructor contact information (may be on the syllabus.)
- A list of resources and online study tools.

Get to know the other members of your online course

If there is a discussion forum set up for you and your fellow students to get to know each other, use it. This is a good way to stay connected to people and can help you interact in a more meaningful way in discussion boards as a result.
Make sure that your profile is updated. Upload a picture of yourself. You will find it’s nice to have a face to go with the names you will see in your course

Develop your time management schedule

Make a list or chart of resources you may need

Step 2 Checklist: Complete DURING THE FIRST WEEK

I have mapped out an effective workspace
I have communicated with those around me about a shared workspace
Course binder includes useful course information
I have successfully navigated the Canvas site and am comfortable using it
Course syllabus is printed, read, and stored in course binder
I have updated my Canvas profile and uploaded a picture
I have gotten to know the people in my online courses
My term calendar has been filled out with test dates, assignments, and submissions for both online and offline tasks
I have created a list or chart of resources in case I need help or have questions

Step 3: What to do BEYOND THE FIRST WEEK

Continue to work on your time and tasks at the beginning of each week, or at a predesignated time that makes sense for your course.

Schedule time for OVERVIEW

Schedule time to REVIEW

Use your institution’s resources for learning support

Keep Managing Time

Step 3 Checklist: Complete AFTER WEEK 1 AND FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE TERM

Regularly complete a weekly review of course work
Preview the coursework for the next week PRIOR to the week starting
Know how to contact resources (see resources at the end of this document)
Know if there is an online tutor and what the schedule is
Know how to access digital databases and onliine library resources if research is required
Know when your instructors’ virtual office hours are
Know and use the EWU help desk for computer or course management issues

Online Success Resources

Online STUDY RESOURCES

Online Tutoring Portal (free to EWU Students). Click Here

PLUS Online Tutoring. Click Here

EWU Math Lab. Click Here

EWU Writers’ Center. Click Here

Online College Schedule Maker. Click Here

Strategies for Online Success. Click Here

Study or write with me series. Click Here

Great advice for getting ready to study, write or do homework. Click Here

How to Study. Click Here

Khan Academy for Math and Science Help. Click Here

Online Course Help Directory

Don’t have a computer? Click here

or need free internet during the coronavirus crisis? Click Here or Here

EWU is offering free wifi in parking lots around the campus: Roos Field parking lot, Hargreaves-Isle parking lots, Showalter parking lot, Visitor Center parking lot and Sutton-Martin parking lot. Also, many public libraries in towns across the U.S. are offering the same; call your local library for information!

Need Canvas Help? Click Here

Linkedin Learning: Help with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Suite, and a ton of other software! Click Here

Zoom Tutorials. Click Here

EWU Help Desk (Technology, Canvas, email, Virtual Labs, Google Drive). Click Here. 509-359-2247

Disability Support Services (DSS) for accommodations. Click Here. 509-359-6871

Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) for online tutoring and academic coaching. Click Here.

Get help with your specific course, or get help making a schedule, managing your time, setting goals, and more. Get live online tutoring, or work one-to-one with a coach via Zoom. 509-359-6505