Virtual Student Characteristics

by Maria Veronica Solano - Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 9:16 PM

As part of our reflection on what are our strengths and weaknesses as online learners, we are going to
look into Chapter 7 of Lessons from the Virtual Classroom, "Working with the Virtual Student", This
chapter provides a list of characteristics that successful online students possess. Take a look at the list,
reflect and post:

Do they hold true to you? Which -if any- of these characteristics describe your approach to
learning in an online environment?
Were you "simply 'born' with these characteristics? or are these characteristics that were
"developed and encouraged"?
OPTIONAL: What kinds of class activities can a teacher plan to help develop there
characteristics?

As an Online Learner
by Student 1 - Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 4:08 PM

In reading the characteristics, I believe that they are true for me. I don't always know if I am a good
communicator in writing but feel I can organize my thoughts well. I am very deadline oriented so I like to
see that this class has deadlines each week. I am self-motivated and can get things done. I am open-
minded and didn't have any big expectations for what this course would look like. I would say the last one
"feel that high-quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom" is something that is
growing on me. I wasn't sure at first but the more I am involved these last few weeks, I have seen how
online learning is a place to learn!

The question of "simply born" with the characteristics or "developed and encouraged" is an interesting
one. I am very organized and responsible and follow the rules. Is that just my personality or the fact that
my parents taught me about keeping up with assignments and getting things done? I tend to move
towards the "developed and encouraged" because my parents are also that way (which may be "simply
born") but then I think about a nephew of mine who is adopted, growing up in a household teaching
responsibility who from a baby has never followed the rules, does his own thing and destroys his toys. I'm
interested to hear what others have to say!

Show parent

Online learner
by Maria Veronica Solano - Friday, September 16, 2016, 9:09 AM

You bring a good point, Misty, when you say "I wasn't sure at first but the more I am involved these last
few weeks, I have seen how online learning is a place to learn". We all have "to learn how to learn", the
online environment is no exception. Children are exposed to classroom environments since early
childhood and grow into them. They learn to be quite when the teacher or a classmate is speaking, for
example, and other school-like activities. How are the activities we have in online classes helping you
grow as an online learner?

Veronica
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Online learner
By Student 1 - Friday, September 16, 2016, 2:41 PM

The activities we have done so far has helped me as an online learner by being organized, laid out and
deadline oriented. I don't feel completely overwhelmed by assignments which has been a relief.

Show parent

Re: Nature then Nurture

By Student 2 - Wednesday, September 14, 2016, 8:28 PM

I believe the characteristics from the chapter generally describe me except for being completely self-
disciplined. I sometimes struggle with this one and procrastinate especially when there is an assignment
I'm not excited about that I have the opportunity to push off. Other than that, they are generally true.
When looking at the list, I wasn't sure if the characteristics also described my classroom learning style.
For example, in my early college career I probably wasn't brave enough to speak up if problems arose in
the classroom. However, today I would feel empowered to speak up in both the physical and virtual
classroom. A question I would like to pose to other learners is whether you feel your characteristics as a
classroom student carry over as a virtual student.

This leads into the next question regarding nature vs. nurture. As a younger, perhaps less mature or less
experienced student, I didn't often speak up in class and dreaded having to talk to professors outside of
class about questions or concerns. My interpersonal skills and strategies as a student have developed
over time, and I continue to have to make a conscious choice to utilize those skills. How easy those skills
are to apply, however, has a lot to do with the personality I was born with. I'm a naturally reserved and
shy person, so it makes sense that I was uncomfortable reaching out for help from professors. In the
same way, some students have always struggled with writing, and although they can improve their writing
skills or writing anxiety, they most likely will always struggle in this area. My conclusion is that while many
skills can be developed and encouraged, often one's personality or natural tendencies dictate how
effectively those skills can be applied and to what degree they can be developed.

-Stephanie

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Nature then Nurture

by Maria Veronica Solano - Friday, September 16, 2016, 9:16 AM

Stephanie, our skills certainly grow as we grow and we can become more adept at learning. Your
example about speaking up in your undergrad and now in grad school is a very good one. We might not
change our overall personality, but we can develop certain skills that can help us become better learners.
How can we, as teachers, help our students become great online learners? For many people, online
college might be their only option for higher education.

The question you present is really good, I'll post it separately for the whole group

Veronica
 Show parent

Re: Virtual Student Characteristics

by Student 3 - Thursday, September 15, 2016, 5:13 PM

Hello Veronica,

I believe the characteristics listed in Chapter 7 do hold true for me. I entered into the online learning
world because the flexibility it offered because I didnt have time to sit in a traditional classroom at a
specific time. At first I have to admit the self-discipline and self-motivation was lacking but once I fell into
a groove or schedule it went smoothly so for those characteristics I would say they were developed and
encouraged. I also do appreciate that it gives me time to take in the information and think ideas over prior
to formulating a response that is something that is a natural way for me. Even in person I try not to be too
quick to speak, especially if not familiar with the topic of discussion.

Chrissy

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Re: Virtual Student Characteristics

by Maria Veronica Solano - Friday, September 16, 2016, 9:22 AM

hello, Chrissy

I am glad you find online learning so convenient, so do I! You mentioned that self-discipline and self-
motivation are some characteristics that were developed and encouraged. How you consider were there
characteristics developed/encouraged by your former classmates or teachers? We would like to identify
that to make sure we, as teacher, are able to help our new students

Veronica

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Classroom students and virtual students

by Maria Veronica Solano - Friday, September 16, 2016, 9:32 AM

Hello, everybody

Thanks for your contribution to the discussion. It is interesting how we all see that we have developed our
skills over time. Stephanie brought a good question I wanted to post for everyone. She said:

"Do you think your characteristics as a classroom student carry over as a virtual student?"

Veronica

Show parent
Re: Virtual Student Characteristics
By Student 4 - Friday, September 16, 2016, 7:45 PM

Hi Maria,

As I looked over the characteristics, my first instinct was that they had developed over time or that I had
honed them. Then I considered if I would have been successful in an online class 20 years ago. I think I
would have, so I did possess all of these characteristics in some degree.

For me, one of the most important characteristics is the self-discipline. It takes a good deal of self-control
to pull yourself away from other responsibilities and free-time enjoyment to focus online.

I think an educator could foster this type of organization and self-discipline by encouraging students to
plot their own timelines each week and then self-evaluate. Encouraging reflection on what worked and
encouraging students to try new strategies could benefit online students, especially in an introductory
course.

Thanks,

Erin

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Suggestions for the online teacher

by Maria Veronica Solano - Friday, September 16, 2016, 11:59 PM

Thanks, Erin, for your specific examples of what a teacher can do to help students develop those
necessary skills to be successful studying online.

1. "encouraging students to plot their own timelines each week and then self-evaluate"

2. "encouraging reflection". Weekly reflection journals would help with this.

Misty also gave another

3. "we should structure our class in such ways as to help students get organized"

Let's see what other specific suggestions we can add. We can see these ideas as not only good practice
in having an organized online class, but as strategies to help our students develop much-needed skills.

Veronica