Set aside regular study times and discipline yourself to use them.

Get a three-ring notebook. Keep all class materials, notes, and copies of email in it. Use this notebook to jot down ideas and questions. 

Begin each study session by reading your syllabus for that week.

During your regular study time, read your reading assignments for the week. Take notes as you read, or underline key points and ideas. Jot down in your journal anything confusing, anything interesting. Reread the assignments until you feel you understand them.

If video materials are part of the course, designate a time each week to watch them. Don't try to watch them at midnight! Watch them when you are most likely not to be interrupted. Stop the tape if you don't understand something, rewind it, and watch the segment again. This type of TV watching is hard work. But it's key to mastering the material.

After watching the video, go back to the syllabus.
Do any required assignments and take any Quizzes or Self-Tests to check your understanding of the material.

Stay in touch with your instructor and other students in the course. USE EMAIL to ask questions as they arise. DON'T DELAY QUESTIONS. The sooner you ask them, the sooner they can be addressed, and the faster you can achieve your goals.

If your course includes online asynchronous or synchronous discussions using ... PARTICIPATE. You really will "get from a course in direct proportion to what you put into it"!!! Ask questions, express your ideas and opinions, respond to the questions from others...and engage in the process of learning.

Since these classes meet at a scheduled day and time, the first tip is to treat it like a regular class: Come to class on time and be prepared - just as you would for any group session.

Speak Clearly
Since these classes rely on microphones and video cameras, REMEMBER: A microphone picks up your voice, but you have to be clear to be heard. You don't have to shout, but speak up.

Wait For An Answer
Once you speak, your voice is transmitted across special phone lines, but there is usually a second or so delay between the time you ask a question and the time it is heard by the people at the other end. After you've spoken, wait just a moment before speaking again. Someone may be trying to respond.

Take Turns Talking
With the small delay in the audio, it's easy to interrupt someone before they have finished. Be patient and wait until they are done, then speak. Two-Way Video is great for questions and answers, but doesn't work well in heated debate.

If It's Not Working, Say So
Things go wrong. If you can't hear, or can't see, or can't read what's on the screen, don't suffer in silence. Speak up and let the instructor or the technician know there is a problem. They'll try to fix it.