Student Guide to Online Learning

Research Institute – Michigan Virtual.

About this Guide

This guide has been prepared by Michigan Virtual through its Michigan Virtual Learning Research Institute , with the insight of experienced students, mentors, instructors, administrators, and customer service representatives from Michigan Virtual. It is intended for students, parents, guardians, counselors, and others who guide students in their decision about whether online courses are a good option for their personal circumstance. Its focus is on middle and high school students. In this guide, you will find:

• Questions to help you decide if online learning is right for you,

• Characteristics of successful online learners,

• Suggestions for how to prepare for learning online, and

• Comments and advice from students about their experience with virtual classes.

This guide is one of a family of Guides to Online Learning that details the world of online learning from the perspective of the people integral to creating a positive learning experience. Each guide outlines key definitions, research and resources, and practical strategies that paint a picture of what kind of preparations and support systems are necessary to ensure students succeed in their online courses.

Introduction to Online Learning

Online learning is a great option for many students and can be a very effective way to learn. Because taking virtual courses is quite different from taking face-to-face courses at school, it’s very important you know what you’re getting into and what kind of support you’ll need to be successful before classes start. Research shows that students who are well prepared and well supported for this new experience do better in their classes.

It was in 2006 that the Michigan Legislature adopted a policy that Michigan students have an online learning experience as a high school graduation requirement. This policy was the first of its kind in the nation. In 2013, the Michigan Legislature expanded student access to digital learning options through Section 21f of the State School Aid Act. This Virtual Learning Infographic was developed to provide a visual representation of the law and includes the denial reasons.

Michigan’s Online Course Catalog

Michigan’s Online Course Catalog contains syllabi information (such as state academic standards, prerequisites, instructor contact time expectations, available academic support, and outcomes and objectives) as well as enrollment and course dates for online courses made available by Michigan school districts and Michigan Virtual. All courses in the catalog include results of a quality assurance review using nationally recognized standards. The information in these reviews will assist parents, students, and school personnel in making the best possible choices for students.

There are many different providers of online courses, so each course and your experience in that course environment may be very different. Start and end dates and when and how you need to be present online for class may differ, too. To see what your options are, look at a course in the catalog where you can see:

• the syllabus,

• the course description,

• course outcomes,

• how the course is structured,

• the prerequisites,

• required assessments, and

• the academic support available to you.

Because online learning is still new to many school staff and students, it is common for there to be misunderstandings about online courses — specifically how it compares to a student’s face-to-face experience. A primary example is that people often believe that online courses are easier. When done well, an online course is as robust as the same course delivered face-to-face. The blog Are online courses “easier” than face-to-face courses? discusses five important reasons behind why they should not be easier.

In reality, particularly when new to an online course, the student has to learn the same content knowledge but has to do so in an unfamiliar