Success in an Online Course

This asynchronous online course offers the advantage of learning any place and any time. Despite this flexibility, to succeed in the online learning environment students should keep in mind the following requirements:

• A computer with a stable Internet connection. Higher speed Internet connections are strongly recommended. If you do not have a computer or a stable internet connection, CSUSB is lending laptops and hotspots, so be sure to request those asap! Here is information about borrowing a laptop, how to reserve laptops/hotspots, and how/when to pick it up: https://www.csusb.edu/its/support/student-resources-virtual-learning/where-get-laptops. Here is information about accessing campus wifi: https://www.csusb.edu/its/support/covid-19-internet-access.

• Basic computer skills – e.g., email, surf the Internet, and create basic word processor and power point files.

• Writing and editing skills – this course, like many other courses in this major/minor, are heavily focused on analysis and application of information. Simple recall of facts is not sufficient at this level, and as such this course involves quite a bit of writing in the form of discussion board posts and written assignments/papers. CSUSB has writing centers that can help you if you need/want to improve your writing for specific assignments. They are doing virtual consulting/assistance as well as virtual online tutoring. Students in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences are recommended to use the College’s dedicated writing center when possible because they have folks that are most familiar with the content specific to this major/minor: https://www.csusb.edu/csbs-writing-lab. (However, you can also use the general UGS Writing Center if the csbs one is not available: https://www.csusb.edu/writing-center).

• Microsoft Office 2010 or higher (Must include Word and PowerPoint). To get access to free online versions of these you can download Microsoft Office 365 here.

• A "technology back-up" plan. Students should plan an alternative location to do assignments and quizzes in the event their computer or Internet connection is not working (e.g., access campus wifi from designated location or in case of immediate emergency via fast food wifi connections).

• Time. Distance learning courses require as much time as traditional (classroom) instruction. The primary difference is that online instruction allows flexibility.

• Self-motivation. Online students must be "self-starters" and can work with a minimum of supervision. Students who procrastinate are rarely successful in distance learning courses. In the event of an emergency or extenuating circumstances, contact your instructor immediately so that you can work together to try to find a workable solution for you to successfully complete the course.