Assignment+5

==Online learner characteristics For this I would like you to do some research on your own and __on this page__, list what you have found to be online learner characteristics. Don't list what someone else before you has listed. If you feel the list is exhausted, then discuss how we can accommodate those characteristics in an online class environment. List your responses here. Include the link for the information you found with your post.==


 * Do not use the discussion board.
 * Click EDIT THIS PAGE on the top right and add to the responses here. Then click SAVE when finished.
 * Responses:

Chauncey

This is some stuff that I found in online learners. I am an online learner so most of these pertain to me also.

> I retrieved this list from http://www.colorado.edu/cewww/Fac101/success3.htm > http://www.distance.deanza.fhda.edu/DLCQuestionnaire.shtml > http://www.bellaonline.com/misc/quiz/quizdtl306 > The last link refers to a quiz that can be taken. Try it out! > I would like to say that in people who are reserved and anti-social flurish in this environment. Goal-oriented people are good too.
 * Are highly motivated;
 * Are independent;
 * Are active learners;
 * Possess good organizational and time management skills;
 * Have discipline to study without external reminders; and
 * Can adapt to new learning environments

//**~__Melissa Cowart__** The following information are actual characteristics and demographics of the basic online learner according to a research study at a university which compared traditional students to online students.//

//A typical online student://


 * //tends to be a visual learner.//
 * //is over the age of 26.//
 * //has a family income over $60,000.//
 * //is female.//
 * //is married with children at home//.
 * //works a full time job.//
 * //spends more time per week on class work than a traditional student.//
 * //is likely caucasian. There is a higher percentage of white students enrolled in online courses compared to that of the traditional course enrollment.//

//The link I used to gather my information is listed below://

[|//http://www.eric.ed.gov/ERICDocs/data/ericdocs2sql/content_storage_01/0000019b/80/1a/19/d5.pdf//] //~MC//

Terralon W. Chaney Without any prompting, successful online students usually: · Set up their own study schedule. · Submit their first assignment promptly. · Communicate willingly and thoughtfully.

http://www.colorado.edu/cewww/Fac101/success7.htm 1.Online learners must incorporate unique learning and management strategies to ensure success in an online learning environment.

2. They must take the initiative and responsibility for their own learning, relying heavily on communication and technology skills. http://iit.bloomu.edu/etraining/Onlinelearner/learner1.htm

Terrence Wolfork http://www.sloan-c.org/publications/survey/pdf/making_the_grade.pdf
 * Online students are overwhelming undergraduates as a whole of the higher education student population.
 * The proportion of graduate level students is slightly higher in online education relative to the overall higher education population.

http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2003/2003154.pdf
 * Undergraduate Students**
 * More likely to be seeking an associate degree than a four year degree.
 * More likely to be majoring in Education compared to the other fields of study.
 * Graduate Students**
 * No gender difference in graduate students
 * Among races, Whites were more likely than Hispanic and Asian to participate in distance education, but no differences between White and either Black or American Indian.

I found a website pertaining to At-Risk Online Learner Characteristics: Reducing Barriers to Success. At-risk adult learners—those who are not expected to succeed—are more likely to take online courses, but they're also more likely to drop out. This website comes from a different angle and enlightens me about other reasons for taking online courses that I did not consider. Being At-Risk and taking online courses could be challenging, but is rewarding is the course is successfully completed.
 * Sandra Durham**

http://www.elearnmag.org/subpage.cfm?section=best_practices&article=32-1

I thought this article had some interesting points in regards to adults who preferably might not choose to take online courses, but in order to obtain an education; this is the path that is chosen. Some factors that contribute to being At- Risks are as follows: Single head of household, low socioeconomic status, minority group status, limited English proficiency, low education attainment of parents, disabilities, psychosocial factors, and gender. According to the article, distance education institutions need to realize what makes learners at-risk in order to accommodate them so they can be successful. If these students are able to adapts to some of the characteristics listed in Chauncey’s response such as being independent, disciplined, motivated and an active learner, possess organizational and time management skills, this will help remove some of those barriers that they face and lead to the road of success.


 * Mac Barron**

One of the most common traits of online learners I found was bing “self-directed”. One website listed the following as key to fitting this description.

• The ability to diagnose your own learning needs realistically, with help when needed from teachers and peers. • The ability to translate learning needs into learning objectives in a form that makes possible the accomplishment of those objectives. • The ability to relate to teachers as facilitators, helpers, or consultants. • The ability to identify human and material resources appropriate to different kinds of learning objectives. • The ability to take the initiative in making use of the resources of your teachers. • The ability to select effective strategies for suing learning resources. • The ability to execute the learning strategies skillfully with initiative. • The ability to gain knowledge and skill from the resources utilized. • The ability to relate to peers collaboratively and to see them as resources for diagnosing, planning, and completing your learning. • The ability to deal and cope with personal blocks to learning. • The ability to renew your motivation for learning when it lags. • The ability to evaluate your own work and get feedback from others about your progress.

These all came from http://academic.son.wisc.edu/cnp_orient/OnlineLearning/Characteristics.htm

I found the following at a site devoted to dedicated to welcoming newcomers to the world of online learning. I think is affiliated with Illinois University. There’s a bit of overlap with #3, but the rest are pretty unique.

1. Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process. Introverts as well as extroverts find that online learning requires them to utilize their experiences. This forum for communication eliminates the visual barriers that hinder some individuals in expressing themselves. In addition, the learner is given time to reflect on the information before responding. 2. Be able to communicate through writing. In the virtual classroom, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that learners feel comfortable in expressing themselves in writing. 3. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined. With the freedom and flexibility of the online environment comes responsibility. The online process takes a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process. 4. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise. Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether learners are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible in the online paradigm. If a learner is experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), s/he must communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong. 5. Be willing and able to commit to 5 to 10 hours per week per course. Online is not easier than the traditional educational process. In fact, many learners say it requires much more time and commitment. 6. Be able to meet the minimum requirements for the program. The requirements for online are no less than that of any other quality educational program. The successful learner will view online as a convenient way to receive their education, not an easier way. 7. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process. The learning process requires the learner to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. Assimilating information and executing the right decisions requires critical thought. 8. Have access to a computer and a modem. The communication medium is a computer, phone line, and modem; the learner must have access to the necessary equipment. 9. Be able to think ideas through before responding. Meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of the learning process. Time is given in the process to allow for the careful consideration of responses. The testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged; you will not always be right, just be prepared to accept a challenge. 10. Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.

These all came from http://www.uwsp.edu/natres/rwilke/eetap/Tips.htm

Kristen Payne- In my search, I found the characteristics of a successful online student. According to Olymic College, these are Characteristics of a Successful Online Student: This is the link I found my information from: http://www.olympic.edu/Students/Learning/DistanceLearning/onlineSuccess.htm
 * 1) Independent Learners
 * 2) Goal Oriented
 * 3) Proficient Readers and Communicators
 * 4) Basic Computer Skills
 * 5) Setting a Schedule and Keeping to it
 * 6) Meet Deadlines
 * 7) Not Easily Frustrated
 * 8) Comfortable in Cyberspace
 * 9) Remember Netiquette
 * 10) Take Responsibility for the Learning Process


 * Chauncey**

Mac you are on target with number 8. Most online learning occurs online so having computer access is a major characteristic of online learners. I would say even more that people who have home computers and fast connections to the net--and computer literate--are more likely to take online classes. This is a major characteristic.

Jamie

While I do agree with all of your findings, I did find this article that adds to what is being expressed already. I also agree that it is amazing how these characteristics apply directly towards me.

Characteristics of the Online Learner In summary, the following characteristics and skills are perceived as critical to the success of the online learner: Competency in the use of online learning technologies, particularly communication and collaborative technologies, does not guarantee meaningful interaction, collaboration, and knowledge building in online learning environments (Lindblom-Ylanne & Pihlajamaki, 2003). Therefore, in addition to the previously listed characteristics and skills, online learners should possess or develop collaborative learning skills independent of these technologies. These skills include social learning skills, discursive or dialogical skills, self and group evaluation skills, and reflection skills (Comeaux, Huber, Kasprzak, & Nixon, 1998; Spector, 1999).
 * Having a strong academic self-concept.
 * Exhibiting fluency in the use of online learning technologies.
 * Possessing interpersonal and communication skills.
 * Understanding and valuing interaction and collaborative learning.
 * Possessing an internal locus of control.
 * Exhibiting self-directed learning skills.
 * Exhibiting a need for affiliation.

http://www.citejournal.org/vol7/iss3/general/article1.cfm