How Online Learning Works
About the Online Platform
Students will access their course materials online via Canvas. Canvas is the university-wide, cloud-based course delivery system that provides a digital portal for instructors to manage materials distribution, student assignments and course calendar, communications, grading, and other aspects of instruction for their courses completely online.
Canvas is a university-wide system – it is not maintained by the STB program. If problems arise, contact solution@iastate.edu. Also, inform your instructor of any problems immediately.
You Can Do This
STB courses are designed with your busy schedule in mind, providing the flexibility you need to study at the times most convenient to you. Click the button below to explore a sample online course on your own, or use the toggles to learn more about each piece of the online course. There are also a number of tutorials for students and faculty located on the Canvas dashboard.
The navigation bars are specially formatted to make accessing your needs simple.
Successful Online Learning
Online learning can take on many different forms. It is important you are prepared to put in the time to be successful in your online graduate courses. Below are some tips to making sure your online course experience goes as smoothly as possible.
Communicate
Participate in the online chat and Canvas discussions when you can. It is important you feel a connection with the class in which you are participating. Make sure you make connections with your classmates and your professor to optimize your course performance.
Participate
Just because you are not in the classroom does not mean you do not have to contribute to class discussion. Contribute your ideas, and read about the viewpoints of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course–you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you as well.
Gain Support
Elicit the support of your colleagues, family, and friends before you start your distance learning adventure. It is important to have this built-in support-system so they understand how important your course work is and can respect what you are trying to do.
Private Space
It is important with online learning that you give yourself a private space, where you can shut the door, and work in peace if necessary. If you try to share study space with the dining room or bedroom, food or sleep will take priority over studying.
Effective Time Management and Organizational Skills
Good time management may be the most important factor for the successful online student.
Log-in
It is important to log-in to Canvas close to every day so you can stay abreast of what is going on in the class. If you let too many days go by without logging in to your course discussion group, you will get behind and find it difficult to catch up.
Speak Up
Remember that your professor cannot see you, so you must be absolutely explicit with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems understanding something about the course, you must speak up otherwise there is no way that anyone will know that something is wrong. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand course concepts. This will not only help you but your classmates as well.
Apply What You Learn
It is important to make connections between what you are learning and what is going on in the workplace. This will help you remember the knowledge more quickly and will help you internalize what you are learning.
Classroom Behaviors and Netiquette
Students and instructors are expected to treat each other with respect during classroom activities, using thoughtful dialogue, and keeping disruptive behaviors to a minimum.
Be Patient
As much as your instructor will try to be prompt in answering questions, please do not expect instantaneous responses to your inquiries. Learn how to set breakpoints in your study, so that you can return exactly to the point when your question is answered. Be patient with yourself as well; give the material a chance to soak in.
Writing Guide
Graduate-level coursework demands a higher standard of academic writing than most undergraduate programs. To support your success, the STB program provides students with access to an online writing guide and one-on-one support from a program writing consultant. These resources are designed to help you develop strong, effective writing skills and ensure you are prepared to communicate at a graduate level. Mastery of proper source citation is also essential and will be a key focus throughout your time in the STB program.