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Online Learning Essentials

Online Student Success Tips

At WVU Online, we're all about making your distance learning journey both enjoyable and successful. We've gathered some handy tips to help you stay motivated, even when life gets busy. So, take a deep breath, relax, and remember – you've got this!

Schedule the same time to work on your course each week and keep it consistent in order to build a routine that fits your lifestyle.  Avoid and minimize distractions so that you can login and learn.

Your routine for the course should be whatever works best for you. Online course assignments are often due at the same time each week, which will help you come up with a schedule for completing your assignments.  Don’t forget to take breaks to refresh.

Are you a morning person? Or do you work best in the late afternoon or evening? You should do your online work at the time when you are the most productive, whatever time of day that is.  Listening to happy and mellow music can help keep you motivated.

Utilizing course notifications is a key component for staying informed and keeping track of assignments. You can also use a planner, calendar, and reminders on your phone to make sure that you know exactly when assignments are due for the course.

Reading for online courses should be structured the same way as you would do them for a face-to-face course. Make sure you have plenty of time to complete them before any discussions or assignments are due. A helpful strategy for retaining information is to take notes as you read. Your notes will guide you later in your discussion posts and you can add any questions you may have had while doing the reading. 

Just because you are not in a face-to-face setting with the course instructor, that does not mean they are less available. You can find your instructor's contact information in the course syllabus. Locate this information ahead of time, so that when any question or problem arises you can contact your instructor quickly. 

Participate in the online discussion boards, just like you would in a discussion in a face-to-face class.  Create study groups if possible.  You also have access to WVU Libraries, tutoring, proctoring, mental health resources and more.

It is your responsibility to check your e-mail and eCampus about announcements or matters related to your online course at least once per day. This will vary from course to course, but there are a few things you can do to help stay as informed and connected as possible while taking your course in an online format.

Ask for guidance when you need clarification about anything in your online course. The course will have a Help page as a reference.  If you’re struggling with a class and have questions, reach out to your professor and ask if they can set up virtual office hours to help explain a topic.

Be sure and treat yourself once you’ve accomplished everything on your to-do list. You deserve it!

Course Delivery Formats

WVU offers a wide range of online programs and courses. Most of our courses are asynchronous and some have synchronous components. As you discover online programs, please use this page as a resource.

Below we share the six most common course delivery formats, along with sample images of the course schedule for reference. Please note that specific tools and methods are chosen by the course instructor to ensure you acquire the necessary knowledge.

Online Asynchronous Learning Icon

Online Asynchronous

On Your Own Time

Learn anytime, anyplace, as long as you meet your instructor's deadlines. You are able to complete courses on your own time, no matter where you are. The course will include specific opportunities to engage with your instructor. There also may be times when you will interact with classmates through discussion boards and other online platforms.

Online Synchronous Learning Icon

Online Synchronous

In Real Time

Same time, same online space. You and your instructor are together with your classmates in the same online space, working together in real-time. You’ll have regularly scheduled meetings and are expected to log in at designated times.

Low-residency Learning Icon

Low-residency

Online and In-Person, Occasionally

Figuring out which courses to take each semester can seem daunting at first. But looking over the samples below will help you decide what options work for you.

Hybrid Learning Icon

Hybrid

In-Person and Online

The best of both worlds. Your course content is delivered through a combination of in-person and online. You have the opportunity to interact with the instructor and course material in a way designated by your instructor. You will likely engage in online learning activities before, during and after in-person classes so you can collaborate with classmates.

Hyflex Learning Icon

Hyflex

The Choice is Yours

Your course content is delivered both in-person and online. You can choose how to participate based on your personal preference or life commitments. You can also alternate your delivery style on a day-by-day basis. Feel like going to class? Head to campus. Not so much? Stay home and attend class online.

In-person Learning Icon

In-Person

Same Time, Same Place

You are learning face-to-face. You’ll go to class at a designated time on designated days of the week. But while you are on a traditional class schedule, you may be expected to log in to a variety of online platforms to supplement your on-campus learning.

Identifying Course Formats

Choosing courses each semester can be daunting, but the samples below will help you navigate.

Online Asynchronous Course Formats

On the WVU course schedule, an online asynchronous course will show:

  • No meeting days or times (or TBA)
  • The campus or building location is "Online"
This screenshot shows an online asynchronous course:

Online asynchronous course identification

This screenshot shows Schedule Builder for an online asynchronous course:

Schedule builder for an online asynchronous course


Online Synchronous Course Formats

On the WVU course schedule, an online synchronous course will show:

  • Meeting days and times: These are the times you are expected to be present online.
    • Any variations will be determined and communicated by the instructor.
  • The campus or building location is "Online"
The screenshot below shows an online synchronous course:

Online synchronous course identification

This screenshot shows Schedule Builder for an online synchronous course:

Online synchronous schedule builder


Low-Residency Course Formats

On the WVU course schedule, a low residency course will show:

  • No meeting days or times (or TBA): Some on-campus (or another designated location) requirements exist.
    • Required face-to-face meeting dates and times are determined by the course and/or program.
  • The campus or building location is “Online”
The screenshot below shows a low-residency course:

Low-residency course identification screenshot

This screenshot shows Schedule Builder for a low-residency course *.

Low-residency schedule builder screenshot

* Pay special attention to the course notes as low-residency courses may have different requirements.

Get in Touch

The WVU Online team is here for you during your online learning journey. We can help you navigate the curriculum of your program of interest, understand the application process, and keep you posted on upcoming events and deadlines.

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