Roles

If you have not taken an online course before, you may find it helpful to understand the roles of the student and instructor in the online environment.  The images below will help you understand the roles of each. 

Source: http://www.davesabol.com/portfolio_files/eLearning/student_role.php

Source: http://www.davesabol.com/portfolio_files/eLearning/instructor_role.php

Understanding the roles of each are critical in achieving desired learning objectives from the course and determining the areas you where you may need support.

Readiness

Before you go further, you may want to take a quick self-assessment on your readiness for online learning.  Click here to check out the Illinois Online Network's Self Evaluation for Potential Online Students.

Whether you achieved a high score or a low score on this self-assessment, now you have an idea of what will be involved in this journey.  Here are the next items  you can take a look at to prepare:

Organize Me 
Required Resources