新视野大学英语 读写教程第一册 unit1-b

Section B

Keys to Successful Online Learning

While regular schools still exist, the virtual¹ classroom plays an important role in today's learning community. Job opportunities for students are expanding rapidly and more people of all ages are becoming aware of online learning that allows them to study at home. Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students.
1. Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and learning experiences as part of online learning.
Many different people find that the online method requires them to use their experiences and that online learning offers them a place to communicate with each other. This forum² for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder³ some students from expressing themselves. In addition, students are given time to reflect on the information before replying. In this way, students can help to keep the online environment open and friendly.
2. Be able to communicate through writing.
In the virtual classroom nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that students feel comfortable expressing themselves in writing. Some students have limited writing abilities which need to be improved before or as part of the online experience. This usually requires extra commitment by these students. Whether working alone or in a group, students share ideas, perspectives and discussions on the subject being studied, and read about those of their classmates. In this way, students gain great insight⁴ from their peers⁶, learning from each other as well as the instructor⁷.
3. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
Remember that instructors⁸ cannot see their students in an online course. This means students must be absolutely explicit⁹ with their comments and requests. If they experience technical difficulties, or problems in understanding something about the course, they MUST speak up; otherwise there is no way anyone can know something is wrong. If one person does not understand something, possibly several others have the same problem. If another student is able to help, she/he probably will. While explaining something to others, students reinforce their own knowledge about the subject.
4. Take the program seriously.
Online learning is not easier than study in regular classrooms. In fact, many students say it requires much more time and effort. Requirements for online courses are not less than those of any quality program. Successful students, however, see online learning as a convenient way to receive their education — not an easier way. Many online students sit at computers for hours at a time during evenings and on weekends in order to complete their assignments. When other people are finished and having fun is most likely the time when online students do their course work. Online students need to commit 4 to 15 hours a week for each course.
5. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning.
Online courses require students to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate¹⁰ information and make the right decisions based on critical thinking. In a positive online environment, students feel valued by the instructor, by their classmates and by their own work.
6. Be able to think ideas through before replying.
Providing meaningful and quality input¹¹ into the virtual classroom is an essential part of online learning. Time is given to allow for careful development of answers. Testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged. Many times online students will not always be right; they just need to be prepared to accept a challenge.
7. Keep up with the progress of the course.
Online learning is normally sequential and requires commitment on the students' part. Keeping up with the face-to-face class and completing all work on time is vital. Once students get behind, it is almost impossible to catch up. Students need to want to be there and need to want the experience. The instructor may have to communicate with students personally to offer help and remind them of the need to keep up.
Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators, not all students have the necessary qualities to perform well online. People who have the qualities discussed above usually make very successful online students. If you have these qualities, learning online may be one of the best discoveries you will ever make.

Words: 715

NEW WORDS

community
n. a group of people living together and/or united by the same interest, religion or nationality 社区，社会，团体，界

expand
v. 1. (cause to) increase in size, number, degree or volume （使）扩大，（使）扩张，（使）扩展
2. grow larger 膨胀

aware
a. having knowledge or understanding 意识到的，知道的

unique
a. 1. being the only one of its type 惟一的，独特的，独一无二的
2. unusual 极不寻常的，极好的

following
a. next 接着的，下述的
n. a group of supporters or admirers 一批追随者

ideal
a. 1. perfect; what you like best 完满的；理想的
2. out of one's mind, not real; not practical 想像的，空想的

visual
a. of or gained by sight 视觉的，看得见的

barrier
n. 1. sth. used to keep people or things apart or to prevent or control their movement 栅栏，关卡，检票口
2. (to) sth. non-physical that keeps people apart or prevents movement 障碍，隔阂
3. 屏障

addition
n. 1. the act of adding 加，加法
2. sth. or sb. added 增加的人（或物）

reflect
v. 1. think quietly and deeply 深思，考虑，反省
2. show 反映，体现
3. turn, throw or back sth. from a surface 反射，显示

environment
n. the physical and social conditions in which people live 环境，周围状况，自然环境

critical
a. 1. of or being a moment of great danger, difficulty or uncertainty¹² 决定性的，关键性的，危急的
2. giving a careful judgment¹³ of the qualities of sth. 批评的，批判的

ability
n. the fact of having the skill or knowledge of doing sth. 能力，本领，才能，才智

perspective
n. a way of considering sth. 视角，观点，想法

peer⁵
n. a person of the same age, class or position 同龄人，同等地位的人

instruct
vt. 1. give orders or directions to 指示，命令；通知
2. give knowledge or information to 教育，指导

instructor
n. a teacher 教师；指导者

arise
vi. 1. come into being; appear; happen 产生；出现；发生
2. (from) come from （由……）引起，（由……）产生，起源于
3. get up from sitting or sleeping 起身，起床

absolute
a. complete, perfect 十足的，地道的

absolutely
ad. completely, perfectly¹⁴ 十足地，地道

understanding
n. 1. ability to know and learn 理解力
2. sympathetic and therefore not blaming 谅解

reinforce
vt. add strength or support to make sth. stronger or firmer 增强，加强，加固

requirement
n. sth. that is needed or necessary 要求，必要条件；需要，需要的东西

likely
a. that can reasonably be expected, probably 可能的，有希望的
ad. probably 可能地

commit
vt. 1. decide to use for a particular purpose 使用；用于
2. do sth. wrong or illegal 犯（错误、罪行等），干（蠢事、坏事等）
3. (oneself) promise to a certain cause 使承担义务，使承诺

input
n. [U] information or some other kinds of resources that are put in/into 输入，投入

essential
a. completely necessary 必不可少的，绝对必要的，非常重要的
n. (usu. pl.) sth. necessary 要素，要点

challenge
vt. 1. question the rightness of 对……质疑，对……怀疑
2. invite sb. to compete against one in a match, etc. 向……挑战

normally
ad. in the usual way or to the usual degree 通常，正常地

sequence
n. 1. 连续，一连串
2. 次序，顺序

sequential
a. of, forming or following in sequence 连续的

vital
a. 1. very important 极其重要的
2. full of life and force 有生命的，充满生机的

effective
a. 1. producing the desired result 有效的，生效的，起作用的
2. having a pleasing effect 效果好的，给人印象深刻的

PHRASES AND EXPRESSIONS

play a role in
have a position or role in 起……作用

be/become aware of
hav knowledge or understanding of 对……清楚

in addition
what is more; besides 另外，加之

reflect on
think carefully about 深思，考虑，反省

allow for
take into consideration 考虑到，顾及，为……留出余地

1 virtual   

adj.实质上的，事实上的，实际上的

参考例句：

• This reply is a virtual acceptance of our offer.这一回答实质上是接受了我们的建议。
• At that time the East India Company was the virtual ruler of Bengal.那时东印度公司是孟加拉的实际统治者。

2 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

3 hinder   

adj.后面的；v.阻碍，打扰

参考例句：

• Don't hinder me in my work.不要妨碍我的工作。
• Nobody wants to hinder your doing that.谁也不想阻止你做那件事。

4 insight   

n.洞察力，洞悉，深刻的见解

参考例句：

• Good teachers have insight into the problems of students.好的教师能洞察学生的问题。
• The research will provide direct insight into molecular mechanisms.这项研究将使人能够直接地了解分子的机理。

5 peer   

n.同辈，同等地位的人，伙伴，贵族；vi.仔细看，费力地看

参考例句：

• Children are easily influenced by their peer.孩子很容易受同辈影响。
• He is a peer.他是一个贵族。

6 peers   

n.同等的人，贵族vi.凝视，窥视vt.与…同等，封为贵族v.凝视( peer的第三人称单数 )；盯着看；同等；比得上

参考例句：

• She enjoys the respect of her peers. 她受到同侪的尊敬。
• She peers into my eyes. 她盯着我的眼睛。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 instructor   

n.指导者，教员，教练

参考例句：

• The college jumped him from instructor to full professor.大学突然把他从讲师提升为正教授。
• The skiing instructor was a tall,sunburnt man.滑雪教练是一个高高个子晒得黑黑的男子。

8 instructors   

指导者，教师( instructor的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The instructors were slacking on the job. 教员们对工作松松垮垮。
• He was invited to sit on the rostrum as a representative of extramural instructors. 他以校外辅导员身份，被邀请到主席台上。

9 explicit   

adj.详述的，明确的；坦率的；显然的

参考例句：

• She was quite explicit about why she left.她对自己离去的原因直言不讳。
• He avoids the explicit answer to us.他避免给我们明确的回答。

10 assimilate   

v.（被）吸收，（被）消化，（使或被）同化

参考例句：

• Some foreigners assimilate easily into our way of life.有些外国人很容易被我们的生活方式同化。
• It is difficult to assimilate a lot of information.难于在较短时间内摄取许多信息。

11 input   

n.输入(物)；投入；vt.把(数据等)输入计算机

参考例句：

• I will forever be grateful for his considerable input.我将永远感激他的大量投入。
• All this information had to be input onto the computer.所有这些信息都必须输入计算机。

12 uncertainty   

n.易变，靠不住，不确知，不确定的事物

参考例句：

• Her comments will add to the uncertainty of the situation.她的批评将会使局势更加不稳定。
• After six weeks of uncertainty,the strain was beginning to take its toll.6个星期的忐忑不安后，压力开始产生影响了。

13 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

14 perfectly   

adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地

参考例句：

• The witnesses were each perfectly certain of what they said.证人们个个对自己所说的话十分肯定。
• Everything that we're doing is all perfectly above board.我们做的每件事情都是光明正大的。