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Distance Learning Student Blog

Discussion forums: the lifeblood of the online classroom.

Online courses are very similar to lecture courses in the sense that you get out of them what you put into them. Whether you are taking a class in person or online, being an active participant will yield higher levels of satisfaction, and help you to feel like you are part of a learning community. By being a passive participant, you might be able to make it though the class, but the material might not make as lasting of an effect.

Another point about discussions in online classes, many times they are a part of your grade. By not participating, you are missing out on easy points. (In some classes, participation in discussions can be a significant part of your overall grade!)

Getting involved in the discussions makes it much easier to make the required number of posts without much thought. This turned a homework assignment into an enjoyable conversation. Another bonus to this is you get to know your classmates and start to make connections (after all, who can relate better about challenges encountered in the class than your classmates?)

In the end, participation in discussions is key to success in an online class. By getting involved your experience will be more meaningful and you will establish connections with your classmates. So go ahead and get involved, you'll be glad you did.

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