Dyslexic and taking on-line course

[quote:4e5a1256f7=”Moll67”]I’m taking an on-line grad course in history. I feel lost sometimes or that I’m missing something. I get frustrated because I’m not always clear with directions written by my professor. I would appreciate any tips for on line classes for dyslexics.

Thanks[/quote]

Are you reading to yourself, the notes; messages? Maybe tape-recording what you read ( a “check” , verbally, on what is part of the course).

If you have Dyslexia problems, why are you taking an online-course, where you have to read a lot? What multimedia components does the course have (videotapes to view, powerpoint presentations.) .
You may have made a major mistake.

Thank you for your suggestions.
Unfortunately, there is little opinion for me at this time. You’re right about the tape recorder and I will read things to husband from now on as well. I’m not close to an area that has a grad history major course. As for a major mistake you could be right but for my sake I hope not.

Moll 67, you hang in there. I do not think you have made a mistake. You just really need to be totally aware of the logic behind your course. Really evaluate your course. Go through the entire web page and make sure you understand what is going to be asked of you with regards to homework, class notes, testing, and assignments. If you do not understand something, contact your prof and/or the tech people behind your web course.

After you do all that (and whatever else you can think of)…be prepared to make a nice notebook. Print out everything and organise it in a notebook with index tabs telling you what is what and all of that. And make a table of contents if you want to that can tell you what is where so you do not get confused. Organisation is very important in an online course and the number one thing to be organised with is your calendar. If your class gives you a calendar, like how they do in web ct, then print it out and out it in your notebook, and make another copy to put near your calendar or datebook you use for you family and work obligations. Keep on top of that and be prepared to give yourself a good two weeks head start when it comes to writing papers.

Always remember to double check everything on the web site at least once or twice a day in addition to logging in to do your assignments and everything. You can also look into a text to speech program so you do not lag behind in the reading, there are some very fair priced ones out there.

I am finally finishing up my degree online because I became ill a while back and a three in a half hour communte and stuff just was not going to happen any longer. As long as you are going to a regionally or nationally accredited University and know that for sure, then work hard and just hang in there because it will all be worth it when you are finally done and have your degree.

peace

Thank you for your encouragement and advice. :)

Would it help to have a screen reader? (sometimes it does, someitmes it doesn’t).
http://www.registrars.kent.edu/disability/AdaptiveTech/FreewareShareware.htm has some free & cheap technology options that might help.

The biggest help, though, might be emailing your instructor (depending somewhat on your writing ability, since that’s what s/he’s going to make an impression on). Ask something intelligent about the content… show taht you’re paying attention and interested :-) Even online you can often tell what a teacher cares about :-)