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Based on web blog written by JaynaB on 8/8/2011
The recent web article I read discusses the benefits of having an online study partner. I think having a study partner is important to have and I believe this does help online students make connections with the coursework. I have had the opportunity to do group work in an online class and I initially dreaded doing group work, but I did enjoy the connections that I made with the other students online. I feel that you do not want to let your other classmates down and this feeling does help to build in a sense of accountability. I have used this prior group member as a study partner by helping each other get on track with assignments or having another classmate to ask questions related to class assignments. In an online environment, I think it is important to have another classmate to help you get a different perspective of what is being presented in class and your study partner may even remind you of when an assignment is due. Even though each student is responsible for his or her learning, it does help to have at least one classmate to ask clarifying questions. If these questions are not getting answered by your “Study Buddy”, then a student will have to ask the instructor. I think this set up is what happens is a traditional class and it may be even more important in an online environment.
JaynaB (2011, Jan. 8) Study Buddies: Having Accountability [Web Log Message] Retrieved on http://community.elearners.com/all_blogs/academic_advice/b/enrollment_advice/archive/2011/08/08/study-buddies-having-accountability.aspx
The study buddy is a great idea. This might be a chance to set up a Facebook or Twitter group to support each other as well. Students could post questions about how to find the answer (not give the answer). The more support and collaboration the better.
ReplyDeleteWorking with someone is almost necessary for me to be successful at times. I am notorious for misinterpreting assignments, or putting way too much work into trivial activities. I helps me to bounce my thoughts off of another person for instances when I lack that internal voice that keeps me on the right track.
ReplyDeleteI really like some of the fora for our courses that include discussion boards to which we can post questions and be answered publicly by our professors. Quite often I'll think of a question, look at the board and see that it has already been answered, which saves time for me and the course instructor. Online courses must have been much more challenging to complete before the ubiquity of all of these social tools that are available to us.
"If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together."
-African proverb