Online/Offline Time
On-Line Time
Both past and current CDLI students agree that it is very important to pay close attention during online classes. Getting the most out of online time will prevent you from becoming frustrated and save you work later. Not to mention, it is a KEY aspect of becoming a successful student.
For all courses, there is a certain amount of work that needs to be done. Some students do not use their class time wisely requiring them to do more work at home. This is the hard way! It tends to take a lot of more time and energy. Make the most of your time while you're in school. You're there, the teacher is there and putting things of is a bad habit to get into.
Good note taking is a very important skill to help you get the most out of class. Another good hint is to share notes with a classmate. You may have missed things, and vice versa. In a virtual classroom saving notes electronically is as simple as a click of the mouse. Whiteboards that include class notes, workings etc. can be saved electronically or printed for easy retrieval when needed. Make sure to re-read your notes regularly, and some students find it helpful to re-write their notes. If you have trouble understanding parts of class make sure to ask your teacher to record the lesson for you, and you can listen to it later and catch up on anything you missed. After you have a test, go through your notes and see if the answers to the test are there.
Like any classroom pay close attention as your teacher may drop hints for upcoming tests/exams. Put a star beside this in your notes, and you'll know to focus on this come study time.
It's very important to give your teacher your full attention while you're in class. After all, there is a time and a place for everything. It may seem like more fun to play a game, do other work, or talk to a classmate, but remember, it won't be very much fun to complete assignments, write tests or prepare for exams if your class time is wasted.
Talking with your teacher is very important. In class, don't be shy to raise your hand and use the microphone. If you're uncomfortable with the microphone then feel free to direct message. If you have a question, ask! If you're having a problem, let them know! If things are going too fast for you and you're lost, then ask them to slow down! Teachers want to help you. In order to do this, they need your input. Unlike in a regular classroom, they can't tell if you're having trouble from a look on your face. They do not know if you are being inattentive or if your microphone is broken. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to pay attention and to stay focussed. Teachers are there to help, not to do it for you. If you need to contact your teacher during offline time, you can use the telephone or e-mail.
Winners are those people who make a habit of doing the things that losers are uncomfortable doing.
Ed Forman
Offline Time = Free time. Not!
The offline time provided by CDLI is designed to give students a chance to practice what they have learned. Practice questions, assignments and other projects can be completed in this time. It is VERY important to be practicing. For example, someone could explain how to play the guitar, but only as you practice do you really learn to play and to do a good job of it. Schoolwork (be it French or Physics) is no different.
There is a lot of commitment and discipline required to improve your skills. There is a certain amount of work that has to be done, and it's up to you when and how you do it. Take a moment and think, where would you rather do your work? Work can be done in the classroom while attending school, or on the weekend. It tends to be MUCH easier to do your work during your offline time at school. If you get stuck on an assignment, or have a question you can send a quick e-mail to your teacher, and they will get back to you. You can even give them a quick call. Your teachers are there and willing to help; they tend to be able to find your problems quickly, while it may take you as much as an hour on your own in the evening or on the weekend to resolve the same problem. If for some reason you are unable to get in touch with your e-teacher you can get in touch with a fellow classmate. There are also tutors within CDLI that you can contact.
Many students make the mistake of assuming offline time is 'free' time. It isn't! There is a lot of work to be done when you are offline. It's very similar to the regular classroom, in that time is provided for you to do the necessary work. What isn't completed during this time needs to be done at home and that's in addition to homework!
When students fail to keep up with offline work they sometimes make the mistake of copying work. This is a complete waste of time. There are photocopiers and scanners for that! It's okay to work together and get help, but copying serves no purpose if you do not understand the concept(s).
Often students make the mistake of putting off their work. It's very easy to say offline work will be done at another time. However, with many subjects the material and understanding is cumulative. That is to say, you need to understand what happened in today's class to understand tomorrow's. As you can imagine, the work will pile up, and soon you will be lost in your class, not to mention lost when completing assignments, tests and exams.
I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.
Confucius
