Online Learning Skill Development
In writing on how students develop their online learning skills, Alan R. Roper's intention appears to focus specifically on currently successful students and the skills they have developed rather than those displaying the need to develop skills. In this, skills that have proved to work for successful students are identified for the use of educators presenting online material.
The key question appears to be what techniques students who are successful have used in their online environment. The author interviews several students in order to obtain an answer.
From the interview results, the author identifies seven main strategies students use for their success. These relate to time management, online discussion, application, questioning, communication of techniques that work, and connecting with fellow students for support.
The author concludes that time management and continuous online contact among students and instructors are integral to successful online learning. This provides valuable support and promotes motivation.
5. The author considers online learning as opposed to a physical classroom setup. He asserts that the online environment can be an even richer learning experience than in a traditional setup. It is however important to understand the dynamic that is necessary to achieve this.
6. It is possible that the author is overlooking the fact that the students he interviewed might derive their success not only from the strategies identified, but also from factors such as innate comprehension ability and compatibility with teaching techniques.
7. If the author is ignored, it is likely that the online learning environment will continue to be a "hit and miss" learning experience for students, with success being more or less random.
8. The author is regarding the online learning experience from the perspective of already successful students, rather than those who have begun the process and are in need of techniques to attain success. He therefore views success in retrospect rather than hypothetically.
