Due to the possible threats that the coronavirus (COVID-19) could pose on student campuses, many Universities have canceled traditional in-person classes for the rest of the semester and FSU could potentially follow suit. If the course materials and lectures from in-person classes are converted to an online format, many students could have difficulty adjusting to an independent learning experience and workload. If you have never taken an online course or simply want to start preparing for this possible transition, consider these tips.
1. Download the Canvas app on your phone.
If you have not already, go download the Canvas application on your portable device and turn on post notifications. This will allow you to be reminded of upcoming due dates, announcements and discussions from the palm of your hand. If courses must be completed in a remote setting, slacking off and forgetting assignments becomes a lot easier so having easy access to all of your grades and course information at all times is extremely important.
2. Start using an agenda if you don't already.
Without an educator personally reminding the class every two or three days a week about grades and upcoming homework, it is easy to neglect course work. Whether you use a calendar on your phone or have a hard copy agenda, you should list out all of your due dates for the rest of the semester in order to prevent forgetting important assignments. Having an overview of the rest of your semester in a calendar will relieve stresses concerning assignments, grades and important submissions while your courses are online.
3. Complete and turn in assignments ahead of time.
Not being on campus for the rest of a course could mean that some students don't have a reliable form of wifi connection at the remote locations in which they learn. If this is the case for you, it is crucial to stay a day or two ahead of all assignments to avoid a late or missing penalty due to a faulty internet connection. Getting coursework and assignments completed before the due date will allow you enough time to seek a reliable wifi connection, if you don't already have one, to submit your work. Without the capability to directly submit your work to a professor on campus, you must consider the resources you may lack at home in order to successfully submit content online.
4. Don't let unwatched lectures add up.
If lectures and discussions are fully converted to an online format, it will become easier to let regular assignments pile up. Scheduling a set time out of each day to watch lectures, read materials and complete homework will force you to remain productive when you aren't required to go to class. If you want to maintain the same schedule while you are learning from a remote location, consider going on canvas to view or read lectures at the same time you have class so that your academic arrangements can stay consistent and easier to adjust to.
5. Communicate with your instructor as often as possible.
Without traditional in person classes, professor and student communications could significantly decrease causing misunderstandings and confusion concerning course work and participation. If you ever feel baffled by the online course system or simply don't know how to access certain files, you should send a professional email discussing your situation to your course instructor as soon as possible. Remaining in constant communication with your professor will not only clear up confusion but show your instructor that you care about your success in their course.
In the case of cancelled access to a classroom setting, you must be prepared to adjust to a new way of schooling. It is vital to remain focused and up to date on all lecture materials as if your courses were held in traditional classrooms in order to remain productive from a remote setting.
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