About Missouri State Online

Student Success Tips

Student Success Tips provides an abundance of suggestions for successful study and links to sites that provide additional study and learning styles information. The information is divided into modules found by clicking a sub-heading on your right.

Succeeding from the Beginning

• If you haven't had much experience with computers and the Internet, be sure to go through the online tutorials provided in this orientation before starting your online course.
  
• Read, read, read!!! Read all course information and/or the syllabus very carefully. Look for details about the course requirements, assignments, testing procedures, media and technology used, schedule or due dates, and contact information. If you do not find details about these topics, ask your instructor from the beginning!
• Make sure you have the tools and equipment needed to complete the class assignments. It's very important to have the minimum computer requirements. If you don't, contact the Missouri State Online Help Desk to discuss this issue. The help desk may have suggestions.
• Make sure you have a dependable Internet Service Provider (ISP).
• Become familiar with the course design by completing the “Getting Ready for Classes” portion of your orientation before the semester begins. Contact the Missouri State Online Help Desk with questions about features you do not understand.
• Log into your course as soon as it becomes available. Explore if possible.
• Advise your instructor immediately of any changes in your personal information, e.g., email address, phone number, mailing address, etc. Update your own personal information within your course website on Blackboard and with the university as well.
• Login regularly: While you may not be "attending" class, you do need to establish a time to work on your online course. Check the course site regularly for changes, additional information, announcements, etc.
• Keep a Calendar: After studying the syllabus, mark deadlines, test dates, etc., in a calendar. Mark it off as items are completed.
• Don't procrastinate: Don't wait until the last minute to do assignments or take tests. Allow time for technical difficulties--the web will be slow at times….servers go down unexpectedly at times. If you have your work done ahead of schedule, you'll have time to try again when problems arise.
• Communicate often. Check your email often and respond promptly to instructors and fellow classmates.
  

Completing and Sending Assignments

• Read instructions carefully. When in doubt, ask questions. This helps you to get to know what your instructor expects.
• Be prepared to apply critical thinking and decision-making skills. Rather than regurgitating facts, your online instructor may ask you to make decisions based on information you have gathered and processed.
• Keep electronic and paper copies of your completed assignments.
  

Communication Tips

• Check your email frequently. Since email is one of the main methods of connecting with your instructors and classmates, it is vital that you check it often. Daily is best, but three times a week should be the minimum. You'll want others to respond to your email promptly, so you'll need to show the same courtesy.
• Always include a subject line with an email message. The subject line should include, at the very least, the course I.D. (such as CIS 101) as well as some sort of description of what the email is about, such as "Question on Chapter 2 Assignment" or "Worksheet 3.3, Number 12." Always make sure to include both your first and last name at the end of an email message as well. If you request that your instructor calls you, be sure to include your phone number with area code.
• Keep in contact with your instructor. Frequent interaction will not only help you complete the course, but will help assure a fulfilling learning experience for you. Remember you can contact your instructor by telephone and fax in addition to the use of email. Write down your instructor's phone numbers to use in case you have computer or email problems.
• Allow a reasonable amount of time for instructor response. All of your instructors will try to respond to your questions as quickly as possible, but remember they have other obligations as well. Email is not instant communication--it can even take awhile for your email to show up on the addressee's server.
• Advise the instructor promptly of any changes in your email address and/or telephone numbers.
• When in doubt, ask questions! Your instructors are there as resources for you, so take advantage of that fact. What may sound to you like a "silly question" will probably be a very good question that may help others out too.
• Keep copies of your email correspondence, either on paper or stored on a disk. That way you can review an answer to a question without having to send another email to your instructor.