I believe online course take just as much effort to succeed in as any other type of course, sometimes even more so. Although the class setting may be more convenient to the student, the coursework it self may be just as demanding as any class that met face-to-face or everyday. Below I have listed a few of the things I think every online student should consider in order to be successful.

1. Be willing and able to commit to the necessary hours per week per course.

– Because online courses often have no set schedule, it is important to plan your schedule so it includes an allotted time to study and complete assignments.

2. Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.

– Most of the time deadlines for assignments are set weeks in advance and it is left up to the student to make sure they complete all required assignments. Internal motivation is often necessary do to the different structure of the class.

3. Be able to communicate in writing, and do not be afraid to reach out when in need of help.

– Proficiency in basic computer skills is often necessary for online course and the ability to type and write professionally is important in order to maintain success in your courses, online and otherwise.

Below are a few web design tips I learned from Web Style Guide: Interface Design Section

1. When designing web “spaces”, it is important to consider the top 5 elements people look for when navigating environments: Wayfinding

• Paths: Create consistent, well-marked navigation paths
• Regions: Create a unique but related identity for each site region
• Nodes: Don’t confuse the user with too many choices on home and major menu pages
• Landmarks: Use consistent landmarks in site navigation and graphics to keep the user oriented

2. It is important to include a search function while also allowing users the option to browse through menu links. It is likely that those that visit your site will have to use both functions.

3. Because some viewers may only see  freestanding, single pages of an entire site, it is necessary to include the basic elements of who, what, when, and where:

• Who – “Whether the page originates from an individual author or an institution, always tell the reader who created it and what institution you are associated with.”
• What – “The page title and major headings are also crucial for search engine visibility. The page title element is the most important determinant of keyword relevance for search engines, so craft your titles carefully if you want users to find your content.”
• When – “Date every web page, and change the date whenever the document is updated. This is especially important in long or complex online documents that are updated regularly but may not look different enough to signal a change in content to occasional readers.”
• Where – “Always tell the user where you are from, with (if relevant) your corporate or institutional affiliations. Also, incorporating the “home” url within the page footer is an easy way to maintain the connection to where a page originated.”