Promising Strategies for Successful E-learning

Once you have some insight to how you learn, it is time to take a closer look at the skills and strategies that will help you be successful learning in the on-line environment.

You and the Technology

Managing Files

filesKeeping track of your completed work will save you a lot of time and frustration. Creating folders is a way to organize the files you store on your computer drives, so that you can find them quickly. If an assignment or important document gets misplaced you may be asked to resubmit it, and it is important to have your course work safe and secure in your course folder.

Here the key to keeping your computer files organized:

Keep a separate folder for each course you are taking.
        Create a Course Folder
        For each online course you are taking, you should set up a folder on your desktop or in My Documents on your own computer hard drive.
        Create a folder for each course
        Right click on the desktop, click "New" and then "Folder"
        Name the folder with the course name and click Enter

Saving Your Files
 When you save a file, the program you are using will automatically add an extension. You do not need to type in the extension.

File Formats
    You may already be familiar with common file formats such as those created by Microsoft Word (.doc) or images (.jpg, .gif). These 3 or 4 letter codes are written at the end of every filename and are called file extensions. They allow your computer to determine which program should be used to open that file. For example, if your computer sees .doc, it will use Microsoft Word to open the file.
Common File Extensions
        Being familiar with a few file formats may help you determine what program you can use. It is not necessary to memorize these file extension

Extension

Program Used to View / Create It

.doc, .docx

Microsoft Word (word processor)

.xls, .xlsx

Microsoft Excel (spreadsheet)

.ppt, .pptx

Microsoft Powerpoint (presentations)

.htm or .html

Your web browser (IE Firefox etc)

.jpeg, or .jpg

Image Program (Windows picture viewer, photoshop)

.gif, .png

.gif Image Program (Windows picture viewer, photoshop)

.pdf

Acrobat Reader

Saving and Archiving Files

  • To avoid losing work, you should regularly backup your files to a Flash Drive, an external hard drive, or even a CD/DVD.

  • Archive your schoolwork at the end of the year, and start fresh each semester.

Common reasons your file can't be opened:

  • You saved a file in the wrong format.

  • You forgot to save and close down the document before submitting it.

  • You used unsupported software (ie: Microsoft Works, Pages) to create the file.

  • You added an extra period in the filename.

  • You used a special character (such as &,*,#) in the filename.

Your teacher may ask you to resubmit an assignment if it is in the wrong format, can't be opened or is missing information. It is important that you view all feedback so that you don't miss an opportunity to correct an assignment.