Page 28 - Keys To Community College Success

Be f exible. Each online course is a unique experience, and you are a unique learner.
Pay attention to how you are doing and make adjustments as needed along the way.
You may f nd you need to:
■ Manage your schedule more tightly for some courses than for others.
■ Create extra interaction with students or instructors for particular coursework.
■ Watch pre-recorded videos at a particular time of day when you feel alert.
■ Get trained on how to use new digital tools.

■ Change when or where you study based on what works best for you.

Managing Digital Challenges

Today, with our near-constant exposure to media and the fact that most people have
a mobile phone that provides access to literally anyone and anything available online,
the challenges of distraction, online etiquette, and managing your digital footprint have
come to the forefront.

Distraction. With millions of videos, TV show episodes, memes, and shopping sites
available at the touch of a screen, it can be tough to focus on that biology lab report or
basic composition essay draft. Many students f nd themselves frequently distracted and
struggle to refocus. Different strategies work for different students, so try one or more
and see what works for you:
■ Put your phone on Do Not FIGURE 2: Online Etiquette (Netiquette)
Disturb.

■ Hide the phone from view. VENUE ETIQUETTE
■ Close all tabs and apps EMAIL
on your computer screen ✔ Formatting, punctuation, grammar
except your assignment.
DISCUSSION BOARDS
■ Use an app such as Free- ✔ Communicate with respect and
dom or RescueTime that politeness
locks your browser.
CHAT AREAS
■ Try an app such as Forest ✔ Stay on topic
or Self Control that con-
trols your phone. VIDEOCONFERENCING
✔ Choose appropriate clothing
■ Give your phone to a
friend or family member ✔ Minimize noise and background
during your study time. activity
✔ Avoid profanity and ALL CAPS
Online etiquette. It is equally ✔ Avoid sharing sensitive personal
as important to be respectful, information (TMI)
open-minded, kind, and polite on
a digital platform as it is in per- ✔ OVERALL – behave online as you
son. See Figure 2 for important would in person!
rules for Internet etiquette,also
knowns as “netiquette.”

Digital footprint. Your digital footprint refers to information about you available on
the internet as a result of your activities online. Every photo you post, every social me-
dia comment or tweet, everything someone else has tagged you on—all of it is search-
able and linked to you. Prospective employers and colleges can perform a search and

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