How do you know if you have created a successful online learning experience? And what does it mean to be a successful online student? These are questions that higher-education learners often ask themselves when faced with online learning. 

Online environments have changed education. The sophistication and simplicity that technology provides have given individuals more control when deciding where, when, what, and how we learn. 

However, this new environment demands that we break out of our old IT learning habits and form new, more productive ones. Here are some IT learning habits of successful students. 

Being Reliable & Steady

One of the most appealing features of online learning is its flexibility. You have the power to design your routine, but it is vital that you have one and stick to it. If we aren’t reminded of them constantly, online courses tend to fall into the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ category, especially if we have other, more pressing tasks to perform. 

Being reliable is particularly important for collaborative, interactive courses, where teachers and classmates count on you to participate in interactions and complete your share of group projects. Your ability to ‘show up’ consistently and with a purpose plays a significant role in the overall experience quality. 

Being Active

When you’re online, lurking – or the act of being a passive observer rather than an active participant – becomes the norm. There are two problems with lurking regarding online learning: it is passive, and it is undetectable. 

Online courses that have been appropriately designed will require you not only to absorb knowledge but create your own. You will contribute to discussions, and sharing your knowledge will help you and your classmates learn better while also making you an active member of the course community.

A great way to practice being active is to set a simple goal each time you log in. That goal should be to leave an ‘artifact’ to make your presence known, whether it’s a message, a shared assignment, or just participation in a discussion. 

Practicing Resilience

During any online learning course, you are going to encounter some challenges. Being a successful online student demands a different skill set than when learning in a traditional classroom space. 

There is the added challenge of not sharing a space with your teacher or learners – sometimes, you don’t even share the same time zone. Online courses should provide you with varied and clear pathways to find help and help yourself. You must familiarize yourself with them. 

It will always pay off if you make time and put in real effort to help yourself before asking your instructor for assistance. The resilience that this builds will help you successfully learn and master new technologies. 

Concluding Thoughts

Changing any old habits is hard, but when it comes to IT and online learning, doing so is essential, especially if you want to be a competitive student.