Online learning presents opportunities to pursue educational goals you might not otherwise be able to fit into your schedule and gives you a chance to take your learning into your own hands. It also gives you a chance to collaborate with others using technology to work, write, communicate, and learn. You can take advantage of these opportunities if you prepare yourself for the online learning environment, find ways to stay motivated, treat other learners with respect, and address challenges with creativity and flexibility.

The most successful online learners tend to be committed, engaged, and willing to seek solutions to problems. They take the time to reflect on their own needs and learning styles and to discover more about their online learning environment.

TIP: Before you start your online course, you might want to familiarize yourself with some of the terms that are associated with online learning. When you see an unfamiliar term, either in your course materials or in this book, you can refer to the brief glossary or to a dictionary. You can also ask your instructor for help.