Learning Strategies for Graduate Studies Success Unit 1

This assignment focuses on one course outcome:

Course Outcome 2: Develop an essay focusing on the three key elements of online learning: time management, communication, and organization.

For this assignment, you will be writing an essay. Before you begin, you will want to create an APA Style format title page. For instructions on how to set-up the header section of the title page in Microsoft Word, please click below to watch a brief video.

Creating an APA Header in MS Word

Be sure to use the font style Times New Roman, size 12. This is an APA standard. Once you have created the header, click on the Page Layout tab, Margins, and choose Normal so that your paper has one inch margins on all sides. Next, set your line spacing to double-space or 2.0. Press the Enter key three times and type the title of your essay. Press the Enter key and type your first and last name. Press the Enter key again and type University.

Now, press the Enter key until your document is on the second page. Double-click in the header section of the second page. Repeat setting up the header for page two. The second page does not have the words

‘Running head:’ before your title. This is why you chose Different First Page as described in the video.

Type a version of your title that is less than 50 characters, including spaces, in ALL CAPS and Insert a page number. Close the Header and Footer section.

 On the first line, type the full title of your paper in regular upper and lowercase. (As a general rule, capitalize all words of four letters or more.)

Time Management

Ask anyone who has ever taken a class or completed a degree program online and they will tell you that one of the biggest challenges is time management. Even though most online learning takes place anytime, anywhere—on your schedule, there are obstacles to overcome. As a graduate student, it is likely you have a full-time job, a family, and/or other activities competing for your time. In order to complete your program successfully, it is critical to take control of your time.

Article #1

In January 2012, U.S. News and World Report published the article 4 Time Management Tips for Online Students. Please click on the link below to learn more about these tips from current and/or former online students.

4 Time Management Tips for Online Students

http://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/articles/2012/01/13/4-time-management-tips-for-online-students

Article #2

In the article below, the Virginia Adult Learning Resource Center offers information to online learners on how to be organized and to manage time wisely.

How to Be a Good Online Learner

http://www.valrc.org/tutorials/onlinelearner/organization.htm

Article #3

Online College.org provides low- and no- cost options available online to students interested in strengthening their skills. Please click on the link below for tips, which include multimedia presentations, interactive exercises, and printable/downloadable templates.

Time Management 101 for Online Students

http://www.onlinecollege.org/2012/08/03/time-management-101-online-learners/

 In Unit I, you read three articles about one of the three key foundations to successful online learning- time management. Organization and communication are equally important elements to you becoming successful as an online learner. For your essay, discuss how you can use organization, time management, and communication towards your career or how you can use these to be a successful online learner (500 words maximum).

Textbook(s) APA:

Publication manual of the American Psychological Association (6th ed.). (2010). Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

Cochran, S. K., & Rodrigo, R. L. (2013). The Wadsworth guide to research (Rev: Custom ed.). Boston, MA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.

 Please use the following format to name your file:

UnitIEssay_Firstname_Lastname