Top 5 Unsuccessful Thoughts Of An Online Student
Posted by J.M. Striegel on August 9th, 2008
1. “It’s All About Me” - Every student, the traditional or online variety, works hard to balance the responsibilities of family, school, and work while squeezing in some leisure time. The balance you strike between each of those responsibilities is up to you. Some online students erroneously believe that because the work is online they can either make excuses for submitting the work late, or they can decide to blow off class entirely while they pursue other tasks.
The consequences and rewards you endure and reap will be direct reflections of the successful balance you’ve struck. Don’t expect to be treated differently because you are older/younger, have a family/are single, like to go to concerts/are a homebody, are hung over/tired, or are unable to study on Thursdays because you like to watch television…. You may encounter some serious setbacks or experiences like a sickness or death in the family. Save your “get out of jail card” for those moments that require it.
2. “They Don’t Really Mean That…” - When your instructor states that they expect you to comment on three other student’s work, they mean it. They don’t want to hear excuses and won’t accept that you made two great comments but couldn’t squeeze a third out. Follow the syllabus and the guidelines for grading.
3. “Tardiness Doesn’t Exist Online”-You can’t disguise the time you turn in your work. If you are required to respond on a discussion board, your post time is noted. If you are required to turn in work via email, the time you sent it is documented. Keep up on your due dates and you won’t try imaginative methods of scamming the system or lying about a computer crash. Those headaches happen all too often, and you don’t need to invite more by creating bad karma for yourself.
4. “No One Will Notice…”-Schools are cracking down on students who plagiarize. The penalties range from receiving a failing grade on the assignment, for the term, the class, and possible dismissal from the program/school. Instructors utilize programs like Turnitin to sniff out a student who plagiarizes. If you commit plagiarism, you must ask yourself why are you even in school?
5. “Surely This Is Enough” -Responding to your classmates in the discussion forums with a simple, “That’s a good point!” and “I agree” does not constitute participation. It’s great that you are active on the boards, but unless you are contributing with well researched information and facts (cleverly disguised as your opinion), you are missing the point of the exercise and your role as a student. Your instructor may or may not point out your deficient posts until you receive your grades.
Tags: Online Education, plagiarism, student responsibilities, tardiness online, unethical
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