Many students say that the greatest challenge involved in taking an online course is simply learning how to use the necessary technology. You don’t need to be a computer software expert to take an online course, but you do need a few critical computer skills to be a successful online learner.
If you do not yet know how to upload and download documents, navigate the Web, post to a discussion forum, or use a basic word processing program (like Microsoft Word), now is the time to learn. Your school might offer basic computer competency workshops or online readiness tutorials. If no workshops are available, try visiting your school’s computer lab; in all likelihood, someone in the lab can teach you how to perform these basic tasks.
Related topics:
Using help menus or contacting technical support
Asking your instructor or peers for help
Visiting your school’s writing center—on campus or online