Instructional Leadership, emphasis: K-12 School Leadership (MEd)
An N A U Online graduate poses joyfully from home in her cap and gown.

Effective strategies for online learning

  1. Familiarize yourself with the week-by-week and semester-long rhythms of your courses, and build your personal study schedule around these deadlines.
  2. Set aside dedicated time and space in your weekly schedule to complete coursework. While the flexibility of online learning is a significant advantage, it can also be challenging without a structured routine.
  3. Establish a daily habit of checking your online courses to stay informed about changes to assignments or deadlines. Use personal calendar notifications to remind yourself of upcoming deadlines well in advance.
  4. Plan for disruptions by creating a backup strategy. For example, consider what you will do if your internet goes out, your regular babysitter is unavailable, or a family member is ill. Having an alternative plan ensures you can continue your coursework with minimal setbacks.
  5. Engage with your instructors, success coach, classmates, and NAU’s resources to support your success. Take advantage of office hours, collaborate with classmates, and explore university-sponsored tutoring and mentoring services.
  6. Minimize distractions during your dedicated coursework time. If you’re unsure about the impact of multitasking, explore the self-paced tutorial Attention Matters, which explains how multitasking can hinder your learning and provides strategies for improvement.

Prepare for online learning success

  1. Complete the self-paced Orientation course, Learning Online @NAU or Learning Online @NAU for Graduate Students. Successfully completing this course will provide you with valuable tools for success in your online studies. Learn more about NAU Online orientation courses.
  2. Complete the self-paced course, Academic Integrity @NAU. All current students are automatically enrolled and can find the course on their Canvas dashboard.
  3. Ensure that your computer, devices, and installed software meet NAU’s minimum technology requirements to support your coursework.
  4. On the first day of the semester, dedicate at least an hour per course to log in to your online classes. Use this time to complete start-of-session tasks, including reviewing the course syllabus and familiarizing yourself with course policies.
  5. Before the first day of class, identify any periods when you might be away from a computer for more than two to three days. Create a plan to stay on track with your coursework by working ahead or adhering to the course policies set by your instructor for such circumstances.
  6. Review the Arizona Board of Regents’ credit hour policy, and plan your schedule accordingly. Remember that the expected time commitment for a three-credit course, regardless of its length, is approximately 135 hours.