Student Characteristics
Profile of a Successful AGVA Student
Students who enroll in AGVA courses possess a wide variety of interests, talents, and abilities. Instructors with years of online teaching experience agree that students that have a successful and satisfying online learning experience often share the following characteristics.
Self-motivated: Students have a desire to learn, are willing to move forward in reaching an educational goal without prodding, and willing to ask for assistance when needed.
Independent study habits: Students can study on their own to achieve academic success without direct supervision. They can maintain self-discipline and stick to a schedule.
Academic readiness: Students are academically capable to handle the rigors of online learning. This would include possessing any prior content knowledge expected of a student in a particular course. (Course prerequisites can be found in course descriptions and course syllabi.)
Strong reading/comprehension skills: Students are often required to do more independent reading in an online course compared to a face-to-face course. Students are able to read and understand what they read at or above grade level.
Proficient writing skills: Students in online courses often communicate through writing. Students are able to write with clarity as they communicate with their peers and instructor to complete activities and assignments.
Effective time management: Students are able to stick to a schedule, stay on task, and complete assignments and activities on time. In an online environment, it is often more difficult for students to catch-up with the rest of the class if they fall behind.
Technology skills: Students know how to use a computer and its programs prior to enrolling in an online course for tasks such as creating, modifying, spell-checking, and saving documents. They also are comfortable working with email attachments and searching for resources online. (Any specialized technology requirements or skills needed for a particular course, such as working with a particular learning management system, will be provided by AGVA or the course instructor prior to the start of the course.)