Communication Skills for the NCVPS Student

By Ramya Krishna M.

First off, I would like to congratulate all of you for making the decision to take an online course. I assume that most of you are independent, motivated students who are willing to work hard. You will have to be if you want to succeed without in-person tutelage. Almost all of you logged in yesterday for the beginning of your courses, and you might have some questions or confusion regarding communication with your online teacher and other students. This article will teach you effective communication skills based on my experience, and that of some of my friends, which will make your time here productive, hassle free and fun. So, let's begin!

You may have been asked to download an application called Blackboard IM. Just as it says in the name, this is a system you can use to chat real-time with your instructor and other students. You'll have to create an account and make sure you're linked to your class (ask your instructor or tech support if you have any difficulty). Even though you're chatting online, remember that this is an educational environment; definitely not the place for copious usage of texting lingo. You are expected to maintain yourself in a professional manner, which means thinking before you type.

You will also have to download Blackboard Collaborate, which will enable you to attend live sessions hosted by your teacher. You might be asked to dial into the session, and will be given instructions about how to ask questions, by turning mute on and off. Remember to mute your phone after you ask a question, and turn it off when you are done doing so. This prevents background noise from impeding the audio.

Your online teachers may have asked you to make an introduction in the forum. If you have not done so already, here are some things to remember. This will be the first impression your teachers and other students get of you, so keep your writing professional and do as much proofreading as you can. Also make sure to read about other students and comment on their posts too.

If you have questions about your assignment, your first point of reference should be your teacher. Make your questions direct and don't just say, "I don't get it." Whenever anyone is helping you, it's helpful to understand what exactly you don't get. Try to demonstrate your thought process as you arrive at your answer, and ask the teacher where you went wrong. This is a good way to solidify problem solving techniques for all questions, not just one. After your teacher helps you, thank them for their time (many of them also teach live classes). Some teachers may give you their phone number and most will provide office hours. Call only during these times, and make sure to utilize Blackboard IM first. If you want to ask a fellow student something, always make sure that you are not simply asking for the answer. Similarly, if someone asks you to tell them the answer to a question, politely refuse and let your teacher know. Cheating hurts all students, including the one doing it, so do your own work. Procrastination is also ill advised and a student who is asking questions at the last minute before grading won't get very far. It shouldn't have to be said that bullying will not be tolerated among students and will merit consequences to those who try.

What if you're struggling with the subject matter? The number one piece of advice I would give is to get help early. You have many resources available for you to use: your teacher and other students who are peer tutors. This service is available and free for you to access anytime you need help, and the tutor may have even taken your course. However, if you are need of greater help, it can be beneficial to seek out someone who can tutor you face to face, such as a teacher at your school or other experienced individual. NCVPS does not suggest or endorse any live tutors. Whatever method you decide, it is essential in order to save your grade and your sanity that you get help earlier, rather than near the end of the year, when your grade is basically set.

Effective communication is not only necessary for face to face interaction, it is especially crucial for online interaction. Remember that NCVPS is an educational environment and you should make the most out of this opportunity given to you by fostering a productive relationship with your instructor and your class.