[EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of several articles submitted by students following our call for submissions in the February issue of SHSU Online Newsletter. We hope that these student voices will help faculty and staff members better understand our students' perspective on their various online learning journeys.]
Hi! I’m Diana Lopez, an online doctoral student in the Instructional Systems Design and Technology program since August 2020. As a navigator of the online space, I have been able to diligently balance work, school, and a family over the past three years. People often ask me the intricacies of how I’m able to navigate such a workload and do it well, without sacrificing any of the above. I have one simple secret: clear organization.
Engaging in an online forum is like being the captain of your destiny. You must be ever-vigilant to ensure no details are missed, such as reading every announcement and being ever present at each meeting. So, what does it take to succeed? The answer is simple. Planning ahead of time is what really makes or breaks it for you as a student, because you are juggling so many activities at once. Therefore, I have taken the liberty to draft a list that clearly delineates what has worked well, and what hasn't, throughout my online journey.
WHAT WORKED WELL:
- Building Time In for Periodic Reviews on Assignments with Peers/Instructors
- Scheduling 1-on-1 Meetings with Professors for Additional Information and Insight
- Establishing a Mixed Method of Hybrid Communication (i.e,. Zoom calls / GroupMe chats, etc.)
- Setting Up Regular Touch bases with Groups for Clear and Consistent Communication / Messaging
- Scheduling a Meeting In-Person / Face-to-Face (Like a conference, if possible)
WHAT DIDN’T WORK WELL:
- Using a Sole Method of Communication (i.e., Zoom-only calls)
- Not Addressing Miscommunication in the Moment
- Taking on Too Many Responsibilities (Handle only what you can based on your circumstances)
- Not Scheduling or Reviewing Syllabus for Important Project Dates Ahead of Time
- Not Building Time-In for Reviews on Assignments for Better Iteration of Work
As with all things, improvements can be made to the online setting in order to set up participants for success. As I have reflected on my experience, I think students in a similar setup could benefit from the following changes that can be made.
THINGS THAT COULD BE IMPROVED UPON:
- Video-Only Lectures (Too many questions surface that can’t be immediately addressed)
- Mentor Match (Assigning a Mentor / Peer with time in the program to assist and guide the new student in ways of working)
- Opportunities for Networking / Cross-Collaboration (People want growth - let’s allow them to lead the way by giving them a way to cross- collaborate)
- Create a Development Week (Students come together and share their knowledge by teaching others what they know / currently practice in their field)
- Grouped with Same Individuals for Projects (Variety of Groups allows for networking and building a stronger bench strength by creating a free flow of individuals)
Being an online student is especially challenging, but it’s not hard. It takes perseverance, self-discipline, and a strong will to continue forward despite the many challenges life tests us with along the way. Motivation is key when trying to get through anything in life, and that is especially true for a long-term online program.
WAYS TO STAY MOTIVATED:
- Create a Time and Space for Positive Self-Reflection (Think about what went well and how you’re feeling)
- Take Time Off (You may need some breathing room, or you may need to take one class, do what works for you, but continue moving forward)
- Get an Accountability Partner (There’s nothing better than having a peer to rely on and navigating through the program together)
- Don’t Give Up (There will be times that the work seems challenging, and it is, but remind yourself how far you’ve made it and who you’re doing it for)
As your peer in the online space, I can assure you that it’s important to understand where you stand and where you plan to go in your career as a student. The journey may have many twists and turns, but it’s important to continue your online trek forward, with full momentum and a heart full of courage. My call to action to you, is to make a commitment to do your best in navigating this online world, which is ever-changing and succeed in a fashion never seen before.
About the Author
After starting her career in communications and learning and development, Diana Lopez is now a Senior Learning and Development Manager at Walmart and a doctoral student at Sam Houston State University. With experience on all sides of instruction – as the instructional designer, the facilitator and the learner – Diana is an expert in course design and instructional technology in corporate online learning, face-to-face learning, and nearly everything in between.