Research shows that in order to be successful in online classes, students need to be able to manage their time, motivate themselves to work on schedule, and seek help when needed, among other executive functioning skills. One major online learning challenge occurs because many online students are still developing these life skills. This program will present techniques and strategies—which don’t take much time—that online instructors can use to help students monitor and direct their own learning so they can succeed and complete their online classes. When students develop this autonomy, they will also experience countless benefits with their other classes, their work, and in any new learning experience.

Learning Goals

After viewing this Magna 20-Minute Mentor, participants will be able to:

• Examine the obstacles that online classes present students who are still developing executive functioning skills
• Identify learning activities that help students plan to be successful
• Explore methods of embedding choice in online classes to allow students to have more agency in their learning

Topics Covered

• The advantages and challenges of online learning
• The need for students to be self-directed when learning online
• Two specific strategies, along with multiple tactics, faculty can use to help students learn self-direction