This document discusses the characteristics of successful online learners. It identifies that successful online students are able to manage their time well and stay organized and self-disciplined. They are also highly motivated, proactive about their learning, and committed to engaging with course materials and their peers. Additionally, successful online learners communicate effectively in writing, have a dedicated study space, and are comfortable using the technologies required for online coursework.

1. Profile of Successful
Online Learners
Yaritza Ovalle

2. Will You Be a Successful Online
Learner?
Online students and faculty who teach online
agree that online learning is rigorous and
challenging to students in ways different from
what students face in the traditional classroom.
To find out if online learning is for you, consider
the following "characteristics of successful
online students" in relation to your approach to
learning and your characteristics.

3. Able to manage time, well-
organized, and self-disciplined
While online courses are convenient and flexible because they
typically do not have scheduled class meetings, you must devote
as much time for studying, reading, working on assignments, and
engaging with peers and the instructor as they would for
classroom courses. Successful online students.
• Consciously schedule time to complete the requirements of
online course work.
• Are well-organized and can effectively budget time to
complete required course learning activities; and
• Know how to "make time" for online course work in their busy
lives.

4. Motivated, proactive, and committed
to their learning
Learning, participation, and engagement in online courses mostly
happens asynchronously, which means you, your peers, and your
instructor are working on course activities at different times.
Successful online students
• Learning, participation, and engagement in online courses mostly
happens asynchronously, which means you, your peers, and your
instructor are working on course activities at different times.
Successful online students.
• Ask questions of the instructor and their peers and inform their
instructor of concerns.
• Participate in online discussions and check their course site
periodically for updates, instructor feedback, and peer interaction.
• Are engaged, motivated, and self-disciplined during the course.

5. Can communicate well in writing
Much of the work you do in an online course will
require communicating your learning through
writing. Successful online students.
• Are comfortable communicating in various forms
of writing.
• Express themselves in carefully thought-out
worded responses.
• Are able to stay focused on the topic and
question in their responses.
• Seek assistance proactively from tutors and the
University's Online Writing Center if need be

6. Have a place to study
Having a quiet place to study is very important
to your success. Successful online students.
• Have a place with enough space for them to
work on course activities that is a familiar and
comfortable place to retreat to complete
online work.

7. Comfortable Using Technologies
As an online student some technologies will be familiar to you (like
watching internet videos), while other technologies may not (like the
learning management system, virtual web conferences, or
simulations). Successful online students.
• are comfortable using various kinds of technologies.
• know how to navigate webpages, open new browser windows,
download and upload files and images, use several search engines
to locate information, and can install software.
• know how to find answers to troubleshooting problems by using
HELP features, finding contact information, and using searches to
find answers to common computer problems.
• know how to determine the problem and who to contact to get
assistance or get it fixed.