Ten ways to make a good impression in an online course

Online courses are great, they are convenient, they often cost less, and you can make them fit your schedule. However, you still need to make a good impression if you want to succeed in online education. Here are some tips on how to make a good impression to your teacher and other students.

Introduce Yourself to the Class

As soon as the discussion boards open, take some time to introduce yourself to the class. Mention your reasons for taking this class and a few personal things about yourself so people can get to know you.

Participate in Discussions

If part of your classwork is to post discussion answers, make sure you post yours as soon as possible so that your classmates will have time to read it before the due date.

Give Friendly Feedback

When you are asked to respond to discussion posts from other students, try to be friendly and constructive.

Turn in Assignments Promptly

The online environment allows you a flexible structure for completing assignments. If you finish an assignment early, go ahead and turn it in before the deadline. If you need to turn something in late, contact your instructor as soon as you realize there may be a problem.

Post Any Questions Publicly

Sometimes the instructions for an assignment are not clear. Your classmates will appreciate it if you post a question about the instructions so that everyone can see the answer when the instructor responds.

Keep up With the Readings

Some online classes involve quite a bit of reading. Make sure you keep up with the assignments so that you can fully participate in discussions.

Be Accessible to Other Students

Be open and friendly if another student e-mails you for assistance. Even if you can’t help, try to guide them toward someone who can.

Pay Attention to Grammar and Spelling

The majority of the interactions in an online class involve writing of some sort. Take your time and use proper spelling and grammar for all class communications.

Use Scholarly Sources

College courses as a rule do not accept citations from sites like Wikipedia. Take advantage of the university’s online library for the best resources when you need to research a topic.

Read Instructions Thoroughly

It is easy to skim over instructions, especially when they are on a website. Be patient and read through the instructions thoroughly before you begin asking questions about them. It is possible that your question is answered somewhere in the assignment’s directions.