Online distance education emphasizes relationship and communication as an interactive learning environment which focuses on dialogue between instructor and students, between students and at NCM between students and clinical preceptor. All parties must take an active role with Online Learning Coordinators acting as a facilitator (this is why we designate these individuals as OLCs and not professors).

A Few Things Every Online Student Needs To Know

What traits will serve us well as online learners (and educators), which will cause challenges and where are the best places to make adjustments to our approach, attitude or behaviors?

Be Open Minded

One of the most difficult aspects of NCM's online learning for students is the flexibility. Many learners have never been given self efficacy in learning - students set their own times for being online, when they review materials, complete assignments, join groups (or not) and take assignments to their clinical preceptor for discussion rather than with the OLC. Of course, because many of us have never experienced this flexibility and possibilities in learning we have not yet learned the skills and approaches that work best for our type of learning.

Be Flexible and Patient

"Online does not mean "instantaneous". An internet connection can be slow or dropped, a website may be down, or time may stand still waiting for an instructor's feedback. Keep your cool and have some patience! Some web-based tools take longer to load, some documents may need more time to display, and some communications need more time to send. Remember that clicking too many times to accomplish the same task can have an adverse affect on what we are trying to do. It's similar to pressing an elevator button multiple times. It does not make the elevator appear faster!"

Additionally, at NCM many of the OLCs are also practicing midwives, we've created the platform to provide BOTH students and OLCs with the most flexibility as possible. Our recommendation is that while you are waiting for an instructor's feedback - don't wait - keep moving forward, keep reading, watching, researching and completing assignments.

Establish a Routine

With flexibility comes great responsibility (for both the OLCs and the students). Don't let your self be intimidated by the freedom and do set boundaries and routine for yourself - avoid procrastinating. While all NCM courses are available all the time and are rolling (don't need to be completed in 1 trimester) we strongly recommend you decide at the beginning of each trimester (or in the case of faculty annually) the courses you want to finish that trimester. Do the math! This means figure out how many assignments in each course you need to finish in a week to stay on track for a trimester (or annual training). Come h-ll or high water finish that number of assignments - yes there may be weeks you have 47 births, a broke pipe, and a kid's birthday to plan but know that the next week has to include "make up work" or you've fallen behind your trimester goal.

Stay Connected

"Learning online will require that you have access to a computer with a reliable internet connection. That may not always be easy, particularly if you do not own a computer or have an Internet service provider at home. However, there are so many places to connect to the Internet such as school computer labs, public libraries, coffee shops, or a friend or relative's place. If you are having difficulty finding a connection, don't give up and avoid making excuses. Check with your school about Internet resources available onsite or within the community."

Maintain Your Computer and Your Files

"Computers are an essential part of your online learning journey. If you own a computer, be sure to maintain the hardware and update the software regularly. As with any important piece of equipment in our lives, such as a cell phone or a car, computers need regular care and attention to operate smoothly. Be sure to regularly organize your electronic files, update operating system software and other supporting systems such as browsers and protect your computer from malware and viruses.

Lastly, technology can be unstable at times so make sure you back up your important files. One successful strategy is to keep copies of course documents and assignments on a portable flash drive. This small device can be carried on a key chain and plugged into another computer when necessary. Losing your work is one lesson you do not want to experience."

Participate!

Don't mistake the concept of learning "anytime, anywhere" for not having to participate - participation increases learning. No, most of the time NCM doesn't require you comment on other's posts, but when you do that's when the magic happens.

One of the best things about the online environment is that it so readily accommodates all types of learning styles and preferences. Audio and visual resources, written, group, reflection, research, and project assignments are used widely throughout the programs NCM offers. The more varied the teaching and student participation to greater the effective and efficient learning.

Communicate Clearly

In general, learning online can be a bit writing intensive, at NCM it is particularly intensive. However, most OLCs are more than happy to accept audio files, if it isn't an option on their course assignments reach out and talk to them it might bump this task up on their to do list! When you are completing written assignments remember that communicating in writing is much different than communicating in person. At NCM, most written assignments unless otherwise specified while requiring full sentences, including proper grammar and spelling do require pages of work - a few sentences usually does the trick. Just like midwives offer individualized care, OLCs want to interact with students as individuals - express your opinions and perspectives, maintain your personality - it makes it genuine for you and interesting for the OLCs when you interject your humor, emotion, and empathy in your submissions.

The above was heavily adapted from Frostburg University's article, A Few Things Every Online Student Needs to Know.

Evaluating Internet Resources an article by the Lynda M. Olson Library

"Because of the hodge-podge of information on the Internet, it is very important you develop evaluation skills to assist you in identifying quality Web pages. There are six (6) criteria that should be applied when evaluating any Web site: authority, accuracy, objectivity, currency, coverage, and appearance. For each criterion, there are several questions to be asked. The more questions you can answer "yes", the more likely the Web site is one of quality.

What about the news? The Web is awash in, among many things, both real information and utter nonsense. Surfed on into or been directed to a news story? Check its Left/Center/Right rating here at AllSides. For lists of news sources ranging from left to right to satire, check out Media Bias/Fact Check. A checklist on how to identify fake news in ten questions (pdf). Science vs. pseudoscience? Here is another checklist."

If you follow the URL in the above title the actual article further breaks down each of the six criteria into more detailed evaluation.