How Online Learning Works

Students will access their course materials online via Canvas. Canvas is the university-wide, cloud-based course delivery system that provides a digital portal for instructors to manage materials distribution, student assignments and course calendar, communications, grading, and other aspects of instruction for their courses completely online.

You Can Do This

STB courses are designed with your busy schedule in mind, providing the flexibility you need to study at the times most convenient to you. Click the button below to explore a sample online course on your own, or use the toggles to learn more about each piece of the online course. There are also a number of tutorials for students and faculty located on the Canvas dashboard.

The course homepage includes a short welcome message from the instructor, along with a course overview.

The navigation bars are specially formatted to make accessing your needs simple.

From here, you can view the Modules section, which includes the course lectures, homework, and other important information; access the StudyMate, a special tool to help take your course notes and transfer them into study guides; utilize the Webex to schedule classroom collaborations or attend virtual meetings and office hours; and take Quizzes and tests assigned for the course.

The red navigation bar includes a customizable Dashboard to help you access your needs quickly; a list of the Courses you are currently enrolled in, a Calendar to help identify important due dates; your Inbox for messages from your instructors; a History so you never lose your place; and a Studio so you can easily record, edit, and upload videos to your coursework.

The Modules in Canvas are organized by unit and other important information. From coursework to homework to study guides, it is in here you will find everything you need to be successful with your course.

The Webex tool lets you attend virtual meetings and office hours, and provides you the opportunity to schedule classroom collaboration opportunities.

Quizzes and exams can be found in the Quizzes section of Canvas. Each quiz includes a deadline and instructions to follow while taking the quiz.

  • Canvas is a university-wide system – it is not maintained by the STB program. If problems arise, contact solution@iastate.edu. Also, inform
    your instructor of any problems immediately.
  • Log-in Page for Canvas: www.canvas.iastate.edu. You may also access Canvas from the very top, right-hand side of this webpage, listed under the “Sign-ons” drop-down menu.

Successful Online Learning:

Online learning can take on many different forms. It is important you are prepared to put in the time to be successful in your online graduate courses.
Below are some tips to making sure your online course experience goes as smoothly as possible.

Communicate

Participate in the online chat and Canvas discussions when you can. It is important you feel a connection with the class in which you are participating. Make sure you make connections with your classmates and your professor to optimize your course performance.

Participate

Just because you are not in the classroom does not mean you do not have to contribute to class discussion. Contribute your ideas, and read about the viewpoints of your classmates. Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course–you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you as well.

Gain Support

Elicit the support of your colleagues, family, and friends before you start your distance learning adventure. It is important to have this built-in support-system so they understand how important your course work is and can respect what you are trying to do. Distance Learning Resources: https://www.distance.iastate.edu/resources/

Private space

It is important with online learning that you give yourself a private space, where you can shut the door, and work in peace if necessary. If you try to share study space with the dining room or bedroom, food or sleep will take priority over studying.

Effective Time Management and Organizational Skills

Good time management may be the most important factor for the successful online student.

Log-in

It is important to log-in to Canvas close to every day so you can stay abreast of what is going on in the class. If you let too many days go by without logging in to your course discussion group, you will get behind and find it difficult to catch up.

Speak Up

Remember that your professor cannot see you, so you must be absolutely explicit with your comments and requests. If you are having technical difficulties, or problems understanding something about the course, you must speak up otherwise there is no way that anyone will know that something is wrong. Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions if you don’t understand course concepts. This will not only help you but your classmates as well.

Apply what you learn

It is important to make connections between what you are learning and what is going on in the workplace. This will help you remember the knowledge more quickly and will help you internalize what you are learning.

Classroom Behaviors & Netiquette

Students and instructors are expected to treat each other with respect during classroom activities, using thoughtful dialogue, and keeping disruptive behaviors to a minimum.

Be Patient

As much as your instructor will try to be prompt in answering questions, please do not expect instantaneous responses to your inquiries. Learn how to set breakpoints in your study, so that you can return exactly to the point when your question is answered. Be patient with yourself as well; give the material a chance to soak in.

Writing Guide

Graduate level work requires a higher level of writing than your undergraduate institution. Please go through this Writing Guide, provided by the MS Agronomy program, which has some very helpful thoughts on how to craft appropriate academic writing while in the program. https://masters.agron.iastate.edu/writing-statistics-help.
Citing sources will be a very important thing for you to learn during your tenure in the STB program.