University Libraries

Written communication skills

• This is a perfect time to improve your written skills, and not just for research papers, but as daily communication. As you enter your career, emails, chat, and to-the-point writing will be a part of your world.
• Improve Your Writing Skills with 6 Free Online Courses

Discussion boards

• Actually spend some time on these and think about them
• There have been HUNDREDS of studies that say that students engaging with other students, discussing, etc. helps you to learn
• Discussion Board Etiquette & Tips for Success (blog)

Connect to the content and your classmates

• Connect to your classmates. Talk via chat, email, text, etc. These connections are important for online students so you can learn from each other, but also to have a human connection.
• Try to make the content as applicable to your life and future career. What does this mean to your life? How can you see using this in your future career? This type of thinking will help you to remember the content as well as make the class a bit more interesting.
• Actually use the content or lose it...

Question

• Ask the professor questions and tell them when something is going right or wrong
• Question your classmates in discussions, it will make it more interesting
• Ask questions that will actually enhance your learning
• Use the mode of communication preferred by the instructor (e.g. email, Skype, phone) and don’t shrink away from these conversations

Acceptance (again, for those in the back)

• Accept that critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making are part of the learning process
• Everyone is struggling with this transition, including your professor. Be kind. Be patient.

Internet troubles? Check these out

• FCC agreement stating that providers will waive late fees, not cutoff service for lack of payment, and open hot-spots.
• Altice USA  is offering Altice Advantage 30 Mbps broadband solution for free for 60 days to any new customer household within their  footprint.
• AT&T COVID-19 response: offers open hot-spots, unlimited data to existing customers, and $10/month plans to low income families
• Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
• Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
• Cox COVID-19 response: New plans include offering a low-income internet tier with no annual contract and relaxing data usage overage charges for all tiers.
• Comcast COVID-19 response: offers free WiFi for 2 months to low income families plus all Xfinity hot-spots are free to the public during this time
• Charter Free Internet offer for 2 months
• Sprint COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, provides unlimited data to existing customers, and, starting Tuesday, 3/17/2020, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).
• T-Mobile COVID-19 response: follows FCC agreement, plus unlimited data to existing customers, and, coming soon, will allow all handsets to enable hot-spots for 60 days at no extra charge (I expect others will follow).
• Verizon COVID-19 response: no special offers, but following the FCC agreement.

Basic skills and programs

• Online learners need basic technical skills to succeed. These include the ability to create new documents, use a word processing program, navigate the Internet, and download software.
• Access to Microsoft 365 for OHIO community and a short tutorial on Word basics
• Blackboard online and Blackboard Mobile App

Good vibes

• Try to set up a space that is just for working on your course work to help you get in the zone
• Desk/table, chair, good lighting, headphones to minimize noise distractions, etc
• Avoid: T.V., gaming, social media, YouTube, Buzzfeed, phone, etc.
• Creating Your Ideal Study Space (blog)