NURS 8000 Week 2 Discussion 1 Learning Online
NURS 8000 Week 2 Discussion 1 Learning Online
Discussion 1: Learning Online
Completing courses online can present some challenges. Yet, it is possible—and advisable—to apply the skills you use to be successful at work in this unique learning environment. Consider, for instance, what you have learned throughout your career about the value of careful time management, planning, and effective use of technology. How might these skills help you to accomplish your academic goals while fulfilling responsibilities in other areas of your life?
This Discussion builds upon last week’s introduction to your chosen doctoral degree, and asks you to evaluate the skills that can help you to be a successful online learner.
To prepare:
- Review the strategies and tips in the documents linked in this week’s Learning Resources, such as “Technical Tips for Learning at Walden,” “Citing a Discussion Posting in APA Style,” and those presented in “Becoming a Successful Online Learner”. Look for strategies related to time management, planning, studying, and using technology that you think would contribute to your success as an online learner in each of these areas.
- Which of these strategies have you employed in the past (academically or professionally)? Of those you have not tried, which do you think would be most valuable? Why do you think so?
By Day 3
Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:
- Describe one strategy that you have used in the past (academically or professionally) that has empowered you in terms of one or more of the following skill sets: planning, time management, studying, and effective technology use. Explain how this strategy has been advantageous.
- Evaluate a strategy that you have yet to try but believe would be beneficial given your strengths and weaknesses.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ postings.
By Day 5
Respond to at least one of your colleagues, evaluating at least one strategy that is new to you and explaining how and/or why you think it will contribute to your success as an online doctoral student.
Submission and Grading Information
Grading Criteria
To access your rubric:
Week 2 Discussion 1 Rubric
Post by Day 3 and Respond by Day 5
To participate in this Discussion:
Week 2 Discussion 1
Holly DeKilder
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2-Holly DeKilder
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Historical Success
In an online educational program, there are many strategies one must develop to be successful. Time management is one of the most important strategies for me. Distractions can derail ones focus and lead to failure. Time management is complex with all the competing factors in the busyness of life. In a traditional setting, class time is offered on campus at a specific time there is a clearly defined classroom and base to start the learning process. In the online classroom, the flexibility requires one to engage with increased frequency (Alvarez Sainz et al., 2019). While the flexibility can be helpful, it also requires dedication to manage successfully. One strategy I have used in the past is to write out my schedule and plan my class time in a way like my undergraduate studies where I have a schedule that required me to be in specific rooms on campus. Time blocking is what I currently use and have found helpful. To time block, one simply creates immovable blocks within their schedule. As work arrival times are fixed for many, the same dedication is needed for success in an advanced degree setting. Making a list of the items I need to accomplish and establishing a time to complete each component has been helpful.
Anticipated Success
A new strategy I look forward to trying is the effective use of technology. I have found I often get pulled away by my phone and how it allures me to look at it each time it makes a noise. To minimize the distraction of my phone I am planning on silencing my phone during my devoted time blocks to ensure I am less distracted. Using the “do not disturb” setting will help ensure my eyes are not pulled to my phone. Technology overload is common in our world today (Orhan et al., 2021). While I expect this to help, I know myself and will also need to put the phone in another room to ensure I do not carelessly pick it up and venture down a rabbit hole only to find I have wasted the hour I set aside to accomplish a task. Knowing weaknesses and strengths of oneself is imperative. Learning daily areas one can improve will allow for adjustments that will lead to great success.
Conclusion
Success in any educational endeavor is complex. Current world situations with lockdowns, limitations on group meetings and life fluctuations are requiring agile mindsets for many. The flexibility of online education is great for social distancing and ensures educational endeavors can continue without major interruption. With this flexibility comes responsibility and establishing a robust plan will improve the likelihood of successful completion. Time management allows for balance in life and a favorable outcome.
References
Alvarez Sainz, M., Ferrero, A. M., & Ugidos, A. (2019). Time Management: Skills to Learn and Put into Practice. Education & Training, 61(5), 635–648.
Orhan, M. A., Castellano, S., Khelladi, I., Marinelli, L., & Monge, F. (2021). Technology distraction at work. Impacts on self-regulation and work engagement. Journal of Business Research, 126, 341–349. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.12.048
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posted 1 year ago (last edited 10 months ago)
Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2-Holly DeKilder
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Holly,
I love your “distraction” strategy and the “Do Not Disturb” sign! I believe that is a wonderful strategy. Thank you for sharing.
I always found that visualizing my was goals helpful, especially when I became discouraged. When I was doing my doctoral studies I would make a simple pie graph and fill it in as I completed my assignments and written work. It really helped me to see how much closer I was to finishing my studies and kept me on track.
I do not know how anyone can be successful in this program without being able to manage their time and having at least fundamental ability to create a Excel spreadsheet, etc.. I think one strategy that has empowered me is the ability to use and understand technology. During my doctoral studies, I learned how technology can improve and challenge one at the same time.
A strategy that I feel is one of the most important is that of effective communication, also. Reading writings a loud prior to posting, is something I utilized even when no one was listening to me. When I could snag someone to hearing me reading aloud, I would read some paragraphs aloud and then try to summarize what I had read aloud, as though I was teaching the content. I found this useful. Perhaps it would work for some of you, too.
Dr. Harvey
References
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012a). Effective online communication: Scholarly writing in online discussion [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
Laureate Education (Producer). (2012f). Tips for effective online composition and communication [Video file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu
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1 year ago
Holly DeKilder
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2-Holly DeKilder
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Dr. Harvey,
Thank you for reading my post. Yes, I have read my posts aloud to help catch mistakes and I enjoy the feature in MS Word that will read my post to me and I have found errors that was as well.
Thank you-Holly
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1 year ago
Margaret Harvey Walden Instructor Manager
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2-Holly DeKilder
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Holly,
I am happy MSWord is helpful to you.
Dr. Harvey
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1 year ago
MARYANN EBOM
RE: Discussion 1 – Week 2-Holly DeKilder
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Dear Holly
Thanks a lot for sharing the strategies you intend to use and make your online educational program a success. Indeed, one of the pillars of successful online learning is time management (Pérez-Álvarez et al., 2017). Properly managing an individual’s time requires a lot of discipline since, as opposed to physical learning, no one may be there to regularly check-in and ensure that you are on track. It is therefore important that a leaner leverages his/her time management skills. I am impressed by the fact that you have a strategy to deal with distractions which usually eats on precious study time. Coming up with a schedule is vital, but as I pointed out, discipline is key (Martin & Bolliger, 2019). When it comes to making schedules, one activity that has been of help to me is identifying major or key assignments beforehand and regularly check my workload. I then mark them on my calendar and continue checking to keep on track and know the amount of workload I should be having in the coming weeks. With such information in mind, I would then successfully perform my tasks in time.
Among the strategies that I consider most important is staying connected. Online learning can be a lonely exercise as, in most cases, there is no meeting with peers to discuss face-to-face matters regarding the course content and how to do better (Kahn et al., 2017). I believe that making an effort to know fellow classmates through online learning forums and social media platforms could be key. Building such a learning relationship can effectively be done through the online discussion boards by making efforts to answer engaging questions and giving respectful answers to the peers’ questions. Peers’ answers can turn out to be a valuable resource in answering class assignments and while preparing for examinations.

References
Kahn, P., Everington, L., Kelm, K., Reid, I., & Watkins, F. (2017). Understanding student engagement in online learning environments: The role of reflexivity. Educational Technology Research and Development, 65(1), 203-218. DOI 10.1007/s11423-016-9484-z
Pérez-Álvarez, R., Maldonado-Mahauad, J., & Pérez-Sanagustín, M. (2018, September). Tools to support self-regulated learning in online environments: literature review. In European conference on technology enhanced learning (pp. 16-30). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-98572-5_2
Martin, F., & Bolliger, D. U. (2018). Engagement matters: Student perceptions on the importance of engagement strategies in the online learning environment. Online Learning, 22(1), 205-222. https://www.learntechlib.org/p/189535/.
Grading Rubric Guidelines
Performance Category | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
Scholarliness
Demonstrates achievement of scholarly inquiry for professional and academic decisions. |
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Performance Category | 10 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 0 |
Application of Course Knowledge –
Demonstrate the ability to analyze, synthesize, and/or apply principles and concepts learned in the course lesson and outside readings and relate them to real-life professional situations |
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Performance Category | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
Interactive Dialogue
Replies to each graded thread topic posted by the course instructor, by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT, of each week, and posts a minimum of two times in each graded thread, on separate days. (5 points possible per graded thread) |
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Summarizes what was learned from the lesson, readings, and other student posts for the week. |
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Minus 1 Point | Minus 2 Point | Minus 3 Point | Minus 4 Point | Minus 5 Point | |
Grammar, Syntax, APA
Note: if there are only a few errors in these criteria, please note this for the student in as an area for improvement. If the student does not make the needed corrections in upcoming weeks, then points should be deducted. Points deducted for improper grammar, syntax and APA style of writing. The source of information is the APA Manual 6th Edition |
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0 points lost | -5 points lost | ||||
Total Participation Requirements
per discussion thread |
The student answers the threaded discussion question or topic on one day and posts a second response on another day. | The student does not meet the minimum requirement of two postings on two different days | |||
Early Participation Requirement
per discussion thread |
The student must provide a substantive answer to the graded discussion question(s) or topic(s), posted by the course instructor (not a response to a peer), by Wednesday, 11:59 p.m. MT of each week. | The student does not meet the requirement of a substantive response to the stated question or topic by Wednesday at 11:59 pm MT. |
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