在线学习(Online learning)改变了各个年龄段的学生访问教育信息并与之互动的方式。(access and interact)无论(Whether)您是在寻找在线教孩子(teach your kids online)的资源，还是更深入的在线大学课程(college course)，在线学习(online learning)的出现都改变了我们的学习方式。
与传统的实体教室(brick and mortar classrooms)相比，在线上课（也称为远程学习(distance learning)）是一种更灵活、更经济的新技能培养方法。
在本文中，我将了解在线课程的运作方式，它们对您的教育和职业(education and career)的好处，我将举例说明一些在线网站，其中包含有关如何开始的提示。
在线课程提供灵活性(Online Classes Provide Flexibility)
有时，当人们无法获得典型的面对面学习(face-to-face learning)机会时，人们通常会求助于在线教育机会。
这不仅适用于高等教育中心，也适用于寻求在线学习机会的父母，因为他们的公立学校机会有限，或者您的身体限制使您无法参加传统课程。
其中许多在线学习环境是免费提供的，使来自不同教育背景的人们能够追求感兴趣的领域，无论是为了个人还是职业发展。
在线课程如何运作？(How Do Online Classes Work?)
技术彻底改变了当今人们的学习方式。通过在线课程，各个年龄段的学生都可以在家学习和学习，而不必坐在教室里。根据课程或课程(class or program)，您需要有稳定的互联网连接(internet connection)和一些必需的软件（通常只是一个文字处理器(word processor)）。
什么是在线课堂？(What Is an Online Classroom?)
在线课程的提供和运行方式与在课堂环境(classroom setting)中的方式大致相同。不同之处在于学生不必亲自到学校。
每个在线课堂(online classroom)的结构将根据课程或计划(course or program)以及组织的目标而有所不同。但是，典型情况是学生登录虚拟门户网站或托管和跟踪在线学习的学习管理系统(management system)( LMS )。
学生可以访问这个虚拟门户来查看他们的课程材料、检查他们的成绩、联系教授并监控他们的进度。如果您希望能够从任何地方访问课程，请咨询学校，看看他们的LMS是否可以在移动设备上访问。(LMS)
在线课程是灵活的(Online Classes are Flexible)
参加在线课程的众多好处之一就是能够按照自己的节奏工作。但是，作业到期时仍有截止日期。
一些课程在特定时间提供实时在线讲座，学生可以通过视频会议软件参与讨论。
如何开始和登录(How to Get Started and Log On)
学生需要访问在线大学(online university)使用的软件。他们将首先访问网站并使用他们的凭据登录以访问与他们正在学习的课程相关的材料。不同(Different)的教育机构使用不同的LMS(LMSs)。每一个格式不同，但功能相同，都是基于云的。
LMS 软件(LMS software)使学生可以从任何远程站点访问他们的作业和成绩。它为教师和学生提供了一个提问和回答问题并提供反馈的平台。
一些比较流行的LMS 软件(LMS software)程序是：
ProProfs LMS 软件(ProProfs LMS Software)
ProProfs LMS是一个直观的SaaS 系统(SaaS system)。教育工作者可以在集中的虚拟教室中创建在线课程、共享和跟踪表现。(track performance)
它提供完全自定进度的电子学习解决方案，并为课程增加了互动性，包括抽认卡和测验。
面条(Moodle)
Moodle是一个免费的开源在线(source online) LMS，它为教育工作者提供了一个可定制和可扩展的在线学习(online learning)平台。
它通过提供安全和个性化的环境来提供 高质量的远程学习体验。(quality distance)
帆布 LMS(Canvas LMS)
Canvas LMS是一个开放、直观、基于云的在线课程平台。它提供在线课程资料(course material)，为学生分配作业，并简化所有内容和数字工具供教师和学生使用。
黑板(Blackboard)
Blackboard帮助全球学习者和教育者实现机构和学生的成功。他们通过利用创新的服务和技术来实现这一目标。
谷歌在线学习工具(Google Online Learning Tools)
无论是通过Google 的 G Suite Education(Google’s G Suite Education)、Google Classroom 还是 Google Hangouts Meet(Google Classroom or Google Hangouts Meet) for business，Google都能让全球人们更轻松地在线学习。
Google 平台(Google Platform)提供企业级功能，包括录制会议并将其保存到Google Drive的能力，以及为多达 100,000 名观众直播的能力。
此外，学生可以使用Google Classroom加入课程以进行在线学习。
如何登录 Google 课堂(How to Sign in to Google Classroom)
您可以使用三种类型的用户帐户登录Google 课堂(Google Classroom)：
- 您在学校(school setting)以外使用的个人Google 帐户(Google Account)，通常用于在家上学。
- 由机构设置的学校帐户(school account)，也称为G Suite教育版帐户。(Education account)学生可以从学校的IT 部门(IT department)或他们的老师那里获得帐户登录详细信息
- 教育机构管理员设置的G Suite 帐号(G Suite Account)
一些程序包括面对面的组件(Some Programs Include In-Person Components)
有些课程要求学生在课程结束之前、期间或之后参加校园居住计划。(campus residency program)长度(Lengths)、要求和细节将根据计划和教育设施而有所不同。
一些计划包括社交活动、信息交流会和团队建设活动。护理等健康(Health)领域可能需要在临床环境中花费时间。(spending time)
学生如何在线与老师和同学互动？(How Can Students Interact with Teachers and Classmates Online?)
学生可以使用论坛、视频会议(video conferencing)、社交媒体、电话和电子邮件与他人以及他们的老师交流。
学生应该从在线课程中得到什么？(What Should Students Expect from Online Classes?)
许多参加在线课程的学生主要关心的一个问题是，他们认为自己需要成为一名技术大师。
根本不是这种情况。 在线学习(Online learning)多年来不断发展，变得更加用户友好，而学生群体总体(student population)上对数字技术的熟练程度更高。在课堂学习的好处之一是能够从教育工作者和同学那里获得不同的意见和观点。
然而，在虚拟教室环境(classroom environment)中，这种相同类型的交互是可能的。在线课程的灵活性非常值得学生可能面临的任何可克服的潜在挑战。
How Do Online Classes Work? What to Expect When You Sign Up
Onlinе learning сhanges the way students of all аges аccеss and intеract with еducational information. Whether you’re lоoking fоr resources to teach your kids online, or a more in-depth online college course, the advent of online learning has changed the way we study.
Taking classes online, also known as distance learning, can be a more flexible and affordable method of developing new skills than traditional brick and mortar classrooms.
In this article, I will take a look at how online classes work, their benefit to your education and career, and I will sample some online sites with tips on how to get started.
Online Classes Provide Flexibility
At times when people are unable to access typical face-to-face learning opportunities, people usually turn to online education opportunities.
This not only applies to higher learning centers but to parents looking for online learning opportunities when access to public schooling is limited or where you have physical limitations that keep you from attending traditional classes.
Many of these online learning environments are offered for free and enable people from various educational backgrounds to pursue areas of interest, whether for personal or career advancement.
How Do Online Classes Work?
Technology has revolutionized the way people learn today. With online classes, instead of having to sit in a classroom, students of all ages can study and learn from home. Depending upon the class or program, you’ll need to have a stable internet connection and some required software (usually just a word processor).
What Is an Online Classroom?
Online classes are offered and run much the same way they do in a classroom setting. The difference is students don’t have to be physically present at a school.
The structure of each online classroom will vary depending upon the course or program and the goals of the organization. However, the typical scenario is for a student to log into a virtual portal or a learning management system (LMS) that hosts and tracks online learning.
Students can access this virtual portal to view their course materials, check their grades, contact professors, and monitor their progress. Check with the school to see if their LMS is accessible on mobile if you want to be able to access courses from anywhere.
Online Classes are Flexible
One of the many benefits of taking online classes is the ability to work at your own pace. However, there will still be deadlines to follow for when assignments are due.
Some programs offer live online lectures at specific times where students can participate in discussions via videoconferencing software.
How to Get Started and Log On
Students need to have access to the software used by the online university. They will start by going to the website and logging on with their credentials to access the material related to the courses they’re taking. Different educational institutions use various LMSs. Each one is different in format but has the same function and are all cloud-based.
LMS software gives students access to their assignments and grades from any remote site. It provides a platform for teachers and students to ask and respond to questions and provide feedback.
Some of the more popular LMS software programs are:
ProProfs LMS Software
ProProfs LMS is an intuitive SaaS system. Educators can create online courses, share, and track performance in a centralized virtual classroom.
It provides completely self-paced eLearning solutions and adds interactivity to the course that includes flashcards and quizzes.
Moodle
Moodle is a free open source online LMS that provides educators with a customizable and scalable platform for online learning.
It delivers a quality distance learning experience by providing a secure and personalized environment.
Canvas LMS
Canvas LMS is an open, intuitive, cloud-based platform for online classes. It provides online course material, gives assignments to students, and streamlines all the content and digital tools for teachers and students to use.
Blackboard
Blackboard helps global learners and educators enable institutional and student success. They accomplish this by leveraging innovative services and technologies.
Google Online Learning Tools
Whether it’s through Google’s G Suite Education, Google Classroom or Google Hangouts Meet for business, Google makes it easier for people globally to learn online.
Enterprise-level features are available on the Google Platform including the capacity to record meetings and save them to Google Drive, and live stream for up to 100,000 viewers.
Also, students can join classes using Google Classroom to pursue their online studies.
How to Sign in to Google Classroom
There are three types of user accounts you can use to log into Google Classroom:
- Your personal Google Account used outside of a school setting, often for homeschooling.
- A school account, also called a G Suite for Education account, that is set up by the institution. Students can get account login details from the IT department at the school or from their teacher
- The G Suite Account set up by the educational institution’s administrator
Some Programs Include In-Person Components
Some programs require students to participate in a campus residency program before, during, or after the course is over. Lengths, requirements, and details will vary according to the program and the educational facility.
Some programs include networking events, informational sessions, and team-building activities. Health fields such as nursing will likely require spending time in a clinical setting.
How Can Students Interact with Teachers and Classmates Online?
Students can communicate with others as well as their teachers using discussion forums, video conferencing, social media, phone, and email.
What Should Students Expect from Online Classes?
One primary concern for many students enrolling in online programs is that they think they need to be a technical guru.
This is not the case at all. Online learning has evolved over the years to become more user-friendly while the student population has become more skilled in digital technology in general. One of the benefits of learning in a classroom is the ability to be presented with different opinions and viewpoints from educators and classmates.
However, this same type of interaction is possible in a virtual classroom environment. The flexibility of online classes is well-worth any surmountable potential challenges students might face.
