Online learning offers several benefits such as lower travel costs, increased flexibility, and access to a variety of course options. However, it also presents some challenges like lack of face-to-face interaction, procrastination, and ensuring all students have equal technology access. To address these challenges, online courses provide structure through clear syllabi, due dates, and learning broken into smaller units. Teachers are also accessible through various communication methods to support students. Parental involvement through tools like Edmodo can also help students by monitoring progress and communicating with instructors. Certain personal traits like self-motivation and time management are important for students' success in online learning.

1.  
ECOMP 6201
Module 5 – Group 2
Jerome Parks, Kimberly Rhyne, and Amy Sherman

2.  Lower and/or
eliminate travel
costs
 More parental
involvement in the
actual lesson
 Accessibility –
pursue education
regardless of
location.
o Students can take
courses not offered

3.  Increased variety of
course options
o Students can take
courses not offered at
their school.
 Online courses are
good for students who
have conflicting
schedules with
traditional “brick and
mortar” school
courses.
 Learn at your own pace
 Provides students with
access to the skills they

4.  Class size is not a factor in
online learning.
 Some individuals struggle
with the lack of face to face
interaction with instructor
and peers
o this can be overcome
through the use of :
• discussion boards
• Skype
• emails
• texting
• phone calls
• collaborative websites
• PBworks
• Google Sites
• required group projects

5.  Procrastination/Motivati
on
o Students must be
motivated so that they do
not fall into
procrastination trap.
 Equal access is still a
challenge
o Not all students may
have access to all
materials. This can be
overcome by:
• checking the local
library
• using what the school

6.  All necessary information will
be provided before the start of
the course.
o Syllabus
o Due dates
o Assignments
• Assignment descriptions
o Rubrics
o Online Assessments
 Courses are divided into
smaller lessons and units with
the required information
readily available for students.
o links to websites and articles
 Courses are delivered via a
course management system.
 Teacher is accessible
throughout the course via
different methods.

7.  Parents have a way to
access assignments
and expectations.
 Parents can access
grades
 Parents have contact
information for teacher
 Edmodo could be used
to bridge the gap and
allow parents to be
involved in:
o assignments
o grades
o discussions with
instructor
o course materials

8.  Provide students with
support as they are
planning their work.
 Parents have the
opportunity to
monitor student
progress.
 Provide words of
encouragement and
be positive.
 Communicate with
course instructor as
necessary.

9.  Personality traits
exhibited by individuals
ready for online
learning:
o self-motivation
o time management skills
o effective literacy skills
o specific learning styles
 Performance Abilities
o Writing and basic
computer proficiency
o Accessibility to various
technology components
o Organization skills
 Access to necessary
materials/technology