To be successful in a distance learning course, you MUST...

1. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. You are in charge of your learning. The responsibility is yours.

2. Be able to read proficiently and follow written directions. Reading is a critical skill in online learning.

3. Be committed to the course. Online courses are at least as time-consuming as face-to-face courses.

4. Use the full amount of time you have available daily; you should have a space where you can work for at least 45 minutes at a time or longer.

5. If you need more time to complete your assignments and do not have the internet available at home, you may have to complete your work by finding a local wifi hotspot for internet access or the local library to use a computer with internet access.

6. Expect to log on daily for announcements, messages and discussion, blog or wiki posts among participants.

7. Accept the fact that, if you are a procrastinator, you must follow the pacing guide to be successful.

8. Speak up immediately to your site coordinator/learning coach and e-Teacher if you are having technical difficulties or are having problems understanding.

9. Practice good "netiquette" and think before hitting "send."

10. Be ready to participate in classroom discussion, blog, and wiki posts, and realize that this involves typing. Writing is a critical skill in online learning.

11. Know how to:

    • operate your computer

    • connect to the Internet

    • use your browser

    • open a file and save a file

    • email

    • attach a file to an email

    • create. edit and save a word document

    • create, edit and save a spreadsheet

    • create, edit and save a presentation

12. Your computer and your Internet access should both be reliable.