By: Amy B.
Online learning. It’s the next big thing and further testament to the fact that our world really is becoming dependent on technology. This phenomenon is something we should be taking full advantage of as not all states have access to programs like NCVPS; we are, you might say, the pioneers of the online classroom. While there are many strategies and opinions on how to get the most out of long distance learning – the improvement of time management, requesting the help of peer tutors, working on self discipline etc. – there’s one fairly important group of people that keep the operation going. There will always be teachers who aggravate us, (the ones who seem bent on making our lives miserable with copious amounts of homework), but the teachers who work with NCVPS are of different stock. They’re genuinely interested in the success of their students, proven by their willingness to invest time in the grading of extra credit and sometimes even in their giving of second chances on assignments. These educators are dedicated men and women who have interests, quirks, and personalities – lives.
Self motivation and responsibility in an online class are excellent qualities to develop but I encourage each online student to reach out and get to know their online teacher. I’m not advocating schmoozing them with multiple compliments or sending them gifts in the mail, but if you have a spare moment, try shooting them an email or an instant message. In responding to a Blackboard message from my journalism teacher by beginning a conversation about what we had in common, I found someone with a big heart, a wealth of knowledge, and true appreciation for my work on the other end of the screen.
Whether you’re enthralled with your lessons or bored out of your mind and wishing you’d never started, I guarantee that contacting your teacher, just sharing a little bit about yourself with them, will help you become even more invested in your class. Believe it or not, they don’t just sit around all day at their computers waiting for you to finish that unit you’ve been procrastinating on…
