With online learning, a student can hit the books at her own pace because lessons are available 24 hours a day. It is also a time saver due to the lack of commuting time to and from the classroom. Online learning makes time management crucial since each student has to establish her own study habits.
Online chatrooms and discussion boards are the equivalent of in-class discussions, but instead of a student raising his hand and sharing his comments aloud, he types his remarks into his computer and his peers can see them on their own computer screens. Chatrooms are real time, meaning all students are expected to log onto the system at the same time and engage in back-and-forth dialogue. Discussion boards are ongoing, with the instructor typing his comments or questions and students then keying in their responses at their convenience. These computerized "conversations" supplement the online class.
Documents can be made interactive in an online learning environment through shared whiteboard applications. By using special tools or through copying and pasting, multiple students log onto the Internet and view a document that allows them to insert symbols, images or text. For instance, an instructor may post an Excel spreadsheet online so that multiple participants can input their own data into one shared document.
Online class facilitators can simulate various classroom styles using a mixture of intranet tools---such as audio recordings, videos or written presentations---to accommodate different learning styles. Students can listen to audio recordings of the instructor's lectures, in addition to following along with written materials that are posted on the website. This combination of media formats assists students who learn visually as well as those who prefer auditory instruction styles. Lab times can also be set up at predetermined locations with students sharing their experiences afterward through online discussions.
A student in an online learning environment has to take ownership of his class responsibilities since there is no teacher present. She should start assignments early and log into the virtual classroom several times a week. She must ensure that she understands the instructor's expectations and keeps up with assignments and tests while working independently. Each student is responsible for being proficient in the use of interactive technologies including downloading materials, emailing and posting messages in chatrooms or discussion boards. A student also has to speak up to the instructor if she is experiencing issues with the content or computer systems. Without effective study habits, a student can become overwhelmed by the demands of online learning.