Empower learners by promoting student involvement in learning. Design an online learning environment that incorporates active (inquiry-based) learning. Larry Johnson and Annette Lamb describe inquiry-based learning as "a student-centered, active learning approach focusing on questioning, critical thinking, and problem-solving. It's associated with the idea 'involve me and I understand.'" Create a community of learners by promoting learner interaction through group research projects, discussion forums, chats and group functions.
Help learners to develop skills that support lifelong learning. Ask them regularly to reflect on how they learn to allow them to discover how they learn best. Teach them to value the learning process, especially the learning that can be gained through mistakes and careful evaluation. Reinforce how to find the information they need by providing opportunities to research and collect information.
Help learners to assume personal responsibility for learning. According to Klopfenstein, "learners become responsible for their own learning" when you teach them to manage their resources and their actions; teach them to monitor, regulate and evaluate their learning strategies; collaborate with them to plan learning activities, locate resources, and assess both their needs and their progress in achieving their goals; and provide the support needed to guide them through the learner stages from dependence to learner control and independence.
Develop the skills needed to be able to learn independently. Figure out how you learn best so that you approach your online course materials through your learning strengths. Use your natural curiosity to deepen the inquiry-based learning experience.
Hold yourself accountable to accept responsibility for your learning.
Commit yourself to the time and energy it will take to succeed in the online course. Make the decision to finish before you enroll. Your ability to persevere depends on your attitude before you begin.
Overcome your tendency to procrastinate. Set realistic timelines for managing your online course, and establish a schedule for completing your lessons and assignments.
If you need to, make an appointment with yourself on your calendar.
Reward yourself for each success.