Being an online student carries over to war zones, locker rooms, gyms, vacation destinations, and other places around the world. It’s one of the reasons why more and more adult learners are participating in online learning, which now represents 31 percent of total higher education enrollment.

Sometimes the key is finding an Internet connection away from home. Some students fit in learning with family time, even when out of town. Some are able to juggle work assignments across the globe while learning.

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… Unless you want to earn an A, that is.

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If history shows anything, it’s that new ways of doing things often bring about myths and misconceptions. That’s true for e-learning.

You may enter into an online program or class with ideas – either from your experience in the classroom or talking to other online students – that you quickly may discover are untrue. Those misconceptions could impact your success as an online student.

We’ve uncovered the truth behind five popular online learning myths.

1. You don’t have to work as hard.

If you think online learning is easier than learning in a traditional classroom, you’ll be surprised to find that’s not the case. The format may be different, but you still will be required to do extensive reading, and hours of homework and exam preparation. Here’s a good guideline from Eastern Iowa Community Colleges: Expect to spend six to nine hours per week in a online course worth three credit hours, in a variety of ways, including participating in online discussions and completing readings and other assignments. You will have due dates and deadlines, but the plus is that you can do them at any hour of the day. Since you aren’t required to physically be in class (although some online courses do have attendance policies), you’ll be putting your time-management skills to use to get everything done.

2. You may be able to cheat and not get caught.

Online students don’t have a professor physically watching over them as they complete the assignment, but schools have savvy systems in place to catch virtual cheaters. According to Franklin University: Statistics show that cheating is no more prevalent in an online environment than in an on-campus environment. E-learners do and need to show the same commitment to academic honesty as students in a traditional class on campus.

3. Your online degree will be viewed as less valuable.

Employers recognize – and many appreciate – that learning online is a part of the education process. The flexibility of an online degree is a big reason why about 5 million people are learning online. Showing that you completed an accredited online program should not make you less qualified for a job than a student who has a degree from a traditional program. But if this is something you’re concerned about, see if the online program offers the same curriculum as the traditional classroom program. Most do, and they are held to the same standards as on-campus programs.

4. You won’t have interaction with classmates or the professors.

Sure, you may be hundreds of thousands of miles away from your peers or professor, but the virtual world provides plenty of opportunities to interact with and learn from them. You won’t be anonymous and even can get personal attention from a professor. There’s online chat, video conferencing, discussion boards, and other tools offered by the school. Plus with e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other social media, you’ll be just a quick key stokes away from a conversation. And some programs blend time in a traditional classroom with online learning, so there are opportunities to meet classmates and your professor in person.

5. You will learn about computers and tech skills in an online class.

Don’t expect your professor to spend time on basic computer or Internet skills. Be prepared to work virtually, so you may need to take courses from a local computer store or business or online before the course begins, to make sure you have the basic knowledge about accessing the Internet, using e-mail and web browsers, and creating documents such as spreadsheets. If your class will use specific software or blogs, your instructor should go over those, but otherwise, the course time will be spent learning about your subject, not technology. Also, don’t expect computer problems or lack of tech skills to be an acceptable excuse for not completing an assignment.

Those are just a few of the myths about online learning. What other types of misconceptions have you or your friends had about being an e-learner?

-Lori Johnston

Backpack. Nope.

Parking pass. Nope.

Mini-fridge for the dorm room. Nope.

Online students typically don’t need the must-haves that traditional students have on their back-to-school checklists. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have to prepare for online learning.

Your back-to-school preparations will help you succeed in the virtual world and make the best of the flexibility of being an online student.

Online learners need to consider four major things before starting the semester: space, technology, availability, and resources, says Martha Snyder, associate professor of technology in education at the Graduate School of Computer and Information Sciences at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Space: Traditional students have physical spaces on campus to study, such as the library or student commons, Snyder says. But online learners need to plan for space. Especially if you have a family, find an uncluttered spot for you to dedicate to your studies (hint: the kitchen table is probably not the best location).

Technology: Your back-to-school shopping list may include a new computer, printer, word processing software, flash drives, and other tools. Look to see what your school recommends. Also, make sure you know how to use the learning management system, such as Blackboard or Moodle, before the class begins, or else you may get frustrated or fall behind.

Update your virus protection, delete old files or programs, and back up essential documents, says Susan Colaric, assistant vice president for instructional technology at Saint Leo University in Florida. Why? She says a computer that is running fast, free of viruses, and doesn’t crash will make completing assignments more worry-free.

Already stressed or dreading the upcoming semester? Consider buying a “skin” to dress up your laptop or a shirt or coffee mug with the school logo, which can give you an emotional lift for starting the new year, Colaric says.

Availability: You aren’t required to be on campus at a certain time, but you still need to plan when you are going to focus on your classroom. Snyder says a rule of thumb is to set aside 10 hours a week for every three hours of class.

Resources: Find out now what type of online resources your school offers and when they are available. That could include an online librarian, tech support, and virtual tutoring.

Also, add these four things to your back-to-school checklist:

1. Do a trial run.

Log into the college’s system to make sure your computer has everything it needs to operate. For example, you may need both Firefox and Safari as browsers, if one has a problem opening up particular documents or files. You also might need to install updated versions of Adobe Acrobat, QuickTime, Windows Media Player, and Flash to see documents, hear audio, and watch videos

2. Set your schedule.

Use your online or phone calendar to block out times for school, and let your family members or friends know that you won’t be available during these times.

3. Review the syllabus.

The syllabus is a key way in which an online instructor will give you dates and course policies. It also will list the books, which you can purchase or download before class begins.

4. Check on employer reimbursement.

If you haven’t done this yet, find out if your company will pay for your education and get that process started. Or maybe you are entitled to GI Bill benefits to help pay for your education.

In Florida, online learning is considered more than just a good option or a positive alternative – it’s deemed a necessary component of a child’s education.

Florida’s Digital Learning Now Act, which went into effect July 1, has been praised for expanding online learning options.

Specifically, the legislation authorizes establishment of virtual charter schools, authorizes blended learning courses, and allows K-12 students from anywhere in the state to enroll in Florida Virtual School Full Time (FLVS FT). Previously, students could only enroll in the school if they lived in approved school districts. Also, students used to be required to attend a brick-and-mortar public school before enrolling in FLVS FT, but the Act removes that restriction. Now, students in kindergarten, 1st grade, and grades 6-12 can directly enroll in the comprehensive program. Students in grades 2-5 must still meet the “prior public school enrollment” requirement, however.

Founded in 1997, FLVS was the first statewide Internet-based public high school in the United States. (Bonus: All courses are free for Florida residents!) So the idea of kids taking online courses to supplement brick-and-mortar coursework has been well-established. But what about kids – especially little kids – taking all their courses online? Though the FLVS FT program was launched in 2009 for grades 6-12, it has since expanded to cover the entire K-12 spectrum.

We discussed the question of K-12 students learning online in a previous post, though it bears revisiting – especially when it comes to young students choosing online education exclusively.

To me, the FLVS FT program seems like homeschool in the early years, as more of the work is completed offline than online. Translation: Parent involvement is essential. The parent is the “Learning Coach,” providing hands-on involvement in the learning process. As the years go by, however, the online curriculum increases, along with the role of the instructor. But even at the high school level, the program is still designed to provide a balance between computer work and offline projects like science experiments and field trips. (Good news for those concerned with kids becoming “computer potatoes.”)

Online Learning Required
Back to the Digital Learning Now Act. What I find especially interesting is that in addition to creating all of these online education options, the legislation has made online education a requirement in Florida. Not only are school districts required to establish virtual instruction options, but high school students must take an online course in order to graduate (starting with students beginning ninth grade this fall).

I don’t know the rationale behind requiring online coursework for high school graduation, but I’m guessing it has something to do with exposing kids to the benefits of technology in education. While making online education mandatory strikes me as odd (is it just me?), I do see a potential benefit: with early exposure, students who later choose online learning for their higher education may be better equipped to handle the unique challenges of the platform. And for those who aren’t cut out for the demands of online education, it could be helpful to find that out early on, too.

Lots of changes afoot in the online education realm… but here’s what it comes down to for me: However students learn best, I’m for it.

–Robyn Tellefsen

Earning a degree is an accomplishment worth celebrating, and that’s especially true for online students, many of whom juggle full-time jobs and family responsibilities along with their studies. So what’s in store when you complete an online program? Will you be able to cross the stage, accept your diploma, and wave to Mom? Believe it or not, you might just get that chance. Take a look at what some schools are doing to recognize the achievements of their online grads.

In-person graduation ceremonies
Traditionally, commencement is an in-person, on-campus event – and online grads are encouraged to participate. Some schools, like Ashford University, hold in-person graduation ceremonies exclusively for online students, giving grads a chance to meet face-to-face for the first time and celebrate their accomplishments together. At the school’s biannual graduation ceremony in April, more than 1,000 graduates traveled to the Clinton, Iowa, campus from Canada, Guam, American Samoa, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Japan, Indonesia, the Virgin Islands, and from across the United States to receive their diplomas.

And each summer, the University of Phoenix holds an online commencement event at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Last year, more than 3,000 graduates attended the national commencement, which featured keynote speeches by Randy Jackson and Dr. Condoleezza Rice. The online university makes travel and accommodation discounts available for the event, but those who can’t make the trip to join the festivities can always watch live and archived webcasts.

Virtual graduation ceremonies
But wouldn’t it be fun to receive your degree where you earned it – online? Since 2009, Bryant & Stratton College has been hosting a fully online, virtual graduation ceremony in Second Life, a popular 3D virtual world. The entire annual event, from the procession to the commencement speaker to the conferring of degrees to students draped in digital caps and gowns, takes place in virtual reality.

Other schools are jumping on the digital bandwagon and providing virtual graduation ceremonies for online students, too. This year, the University of Hawaii at Manoa’s College of Education offered a virtual graduation ceremony in Second Life, with 22 graduates in attendance, along with family and friends across the country. And last year, Florida State University’s College of Communication and Information piloted a small, virtual graduation ceremony in Second Life, attended by the avatars of six students. The special effects were pretty cool – one professor parachuted into the ceremony to deliver his speech, and students were treated to a virtual fireworks display at the end of the event. The emcee even “shape shifted” into the avatars of faculty who were unable to attend but who were giving prerecorded speeches.

No matter what the shape of the ceremony, online grads deserve to celebrate their academic achievements. And, to be honest, a virtual graduation ceremony sounds like way more fun than my own in-person college commencement!

-Robyn Tellefsen

If you’re the type who loves to sit in the front of the classroom and fall asleep, wear obnoxious T-shirts, or make snide remarks under your breath throughout a lecture, you might feel lost in an online class. How will you ever command a professor’s attention in the anonymity of cyberspace? Fortunately, there are ways to make your presence known.

Don’t pace yourself.
The beauty of online learning is that it’s self-paced. So if you miss a deadline here or there, don’t sweat it. Then, just before you think your prof is getting ready to drop you from the class – and not a minute sooner – send in all your overdue assignments. Go ahead, flood her inbox. Professors love that kind of stuff. They see it as a challenge.

Contact him at all hours.
Most good online professors post virtual office hours, but they also realize you may need to contact them at other times with questions or concerns. This is your chance to show your prof you care. You’ve got his cell, so use it – day and night. Why post in the chat room what you can text your prof directly and incessantly? You can be just like the new mom who calls her doctor at all hours with every question in the book. He’s definitely noticing you now!

Don’t conform to standard rules of grammar.
Grammar is a dying art, especially in the online classroom. Make it your job to kill it for good. Use as many acronyms as possible (it’s a timesaver, after all), never start a sentence with a capital letter, and use shortened spelling for everything (e.g., “nite” instead of “night”; “thru” instead of “through”). Oh, and ALWAYS TYPE IN ALL CAPS. PROFS LOVE THAT. SRIUSLY.

Make her your BFF.
It’s an online class, so it’s a good bet that your prof is lonely without a gaggle of students surrounding her. Close the distance and treat her like you would any of your other friends. Insist that she join you for drinks IRL, and make frequent inquiries about her personal life. As you learn more about her, make plenty of references to her personal stories during class time. And come up with as many inside jokes as possible so you can insert them randomly into the online class discussion threads. It’ll definitely liven things up.

Don’t limit yourself.
Sometimes online professors request that you limit your input to a certain number of comments in order to give everyone a chance to participate in the forum. Ignore this. Use your freedom of speech to the fullest and write a treatise on every thread. Dissect and refute each and every dissenting opinion. Make sure you answer every question first, and always get the last word. You’ll be amazed at the class participation grade you’ll get!

It’s not always easy to get a professor’s attention when you’re learning online, but there are ways. Just don’t give up until you’ve gotten as far under his skin as humanly possible.

And you thought online learning was impersonal!

-Robyn Tellefsen

Debates over the merits of online education are nothing new, but from time to time it can be fun to listen in on the discussion – especially when students are the ones doing the talking. Last month, The New York Times invited the K-12 set to weigh in on the online vs. face-to-face learning issue, and their perspective was enlightening… if not particularly enlightened.

Many of these young students have the misconception that online courses offer no opportunity to ask questions or interact with the teacher or their peers. They’re equating “online” with “on-your-own,” like correspondence or home study courses, or online courses from the earliest days of the Internet, when technology and interactivity were extremely limited.

Though the majority of these students were just misinformed, I’m intrigued by the fact that those who did weigh in with personal online learning experience didn’t have good things to say:

“Face to face learning is a million times better than online. My grades, my personality, my lifestyle all changed when I did online learning, and not in a good way. I didn’t learn nearly as much as I needed to, and I missed the direct contact with teachers and students.”  – Emily

“I dislike online courses because for me it is harder to learn … I never fully appreciated teachers until I didn’t have them there to help me, I really appreciate what they do now.” – Tiffany

Hmmm… it sounds like these students are suffering from a lack of accountability, needing a physical teacher to help them stay on track and limit distractions. Of course, self-discipline (or lack thereof) is a common problem for online students of all ages. Whatever the reason, many of us require constant monitoring and hand-holding to get our work done. (Why is that? And is self-motivation and self-control even harder to come by when we’re young?)

That being said, the students did mention quite a few advantages to online learning. Working at their own pace and on their own schedule was a frequently cited benefit, along with the opportunity to take courses that their own school did not offer. Some students mentioned the idea of their own home as a more comfortable, relaxed environment for learning, less stressful than the traditional classroom.

Whatever their experience with online learning, students were pretty well united in the opinion that online courses should not be mandatory. Many recognized the fact that what works for one student will not work for another; online learning is not for everyone.

But what I’m still pondering is this: Is the K-12 set even less equipped to deal with the difficulties and distractions inherent to online education?

What do you think?

-Robyn Tellefsen