Avoid Isolation

Avoid Isolation

Since Online study inevitably involves many hours sitting in front of a computer, the potential for becoming isolated from other people – and particularly other students – is high. But there are steps you can take to ensure don’t become completely cut off, and (unless you are a hermit by nature) you and your studies will benefit tremendously.

Find Out Who You Are Working With

Although you can’t see or hear them, your professors and fellow students are human beings too. Learn their names, read their biographical details and post some of your own. It will make them seem more like real people and help make it easier to communicate with them.

Make the Most of CMC (“computer mediated communication”)

Check out and make use of all these different ways of communicating with other people involved in your course:

• chat sessions
• Online discussion postings (or “bulletin boards”)
• audio and video conferencing
• instant messaging
• e-mail
• telephone
• class web page

The Bottom Line is: It’s Down To You!

Don’t hide yourself away. Make the effort to take part in timetabled chat sessions, stay up-to-date with Online bulletin boards and keep in touch with peers and teachers by email or instant messaging. Just like meeting people face-to-face it will take a while to get to know your cyber-classmates, but it will happen eventually.

And Don’t Forget … Family, Friends and Workmates
However much you want to get good grades you need a break from studying every so often. Take time out to spend with your family, friends and workmates – they will appreciate not being forgotten!

Source: Designing For Learning

Other Student Resources

Online Discussion Postings

Avoid Plagiarism

Making the Most of Online Chat Sessions

Avoid Isolation

Be Effective Within Virtual Workgroups

Researching Online