Planet eCampus

Meet the eCore Proctor Doctor Fall is in the air... which means the kids are back in school, college football is king, and your favorite TV shows are returning with new episodes. For many working adults, Fall also means "back-to-school" for themselves in the form of online courses in pursuit of a college degree.  Online college courses are typically delivered in accelerated formats, which are shorter than a traditional semester and allow the student to complete more courses within a year. For accelerated online courses, mid-term exams are right around the corner. Milestone exams like mid-terms are very important to your overall grade in a course, so it is crucial that you get organized early and be as prepared as you can. The eCore Proctor Doctor is here to help you do just that! Here are his 5 simple steps to help you learn to study like a pro! Set a study goal and a study time. Determine what you need to study and prioritize the content that matters the most. Rev...

Beijing, China What is your University System of Georgia home institution, and where did you receive your degrees? I have served as a lecturer in the chemistry department at the University of West Georgia now for eight years.  I was initially offered this position upon completion of my Ph.D. at the University of Georgia.  The opportunity to come home to teach at the institution where I also received my undergraduate degree in chemistry was just too good to pass up.  How long have you taught eCore classes? This is my second year teaching eCore chemistry, and I have found it to be both challenging and rewarding, and it has also allowed me the opportunity to get to know the great team of people who work for eCore. Why did you become a college instructor, and what drew you to the field of Chemistry? I was first drawn into both science and teaching by my high school chemistry teacher, Coach Powell.  He is a legend at Bowdon High School, whi...

There are numerous benefits to taking an online college class – they’re flexible, convenient, and meet you where you are. Whether that means scheduling a study break during your vacation, staying on top of assignments while your child naps, or posting to the discussion board during your lunch break, online education appeals to many types of students. However, an online course does not equal an “Easy A.” Just as in a traditional learning environment, online learning offers its own challenges. However, students can be just as successful (or more-so!) in their online courses by staying on top of their game! Try these five success tips to help you “go for the A” in your online class.    Log in daily. Students who log in every day have a greater chance of success in online courses. Online courses take discipline and drive, and logging in daily will ensure that you don’t miss important assignments and activities. Create a schedule and do not – I repeat,...

Whether it's work, relationships, or school, we often spend too much time trying to change our weaknesses rather than focusing on our strengths. By focusing on our strengths and making them stronger, we can be authentic and extraordinary. By worrying mainly about improving on our weaknesses, we become frustrated and low-performing. Identify Your Strengths Remember when you brought home your report card with all As except for the C in math? Maybe instead of talking about the 5 perfect grades, your parents said, "we really need to work on that math grade." Or perhaps, now you are in a work environment, and you've been "promoted" to a position where you are managing the work of others. Yet, you notice that while you excelled at writing press releases or answering technical questions on the telephone, you are consistently fail to get good results from those who report to you. Think of the work that you do best, the personal characteristics that make you ...

Some students feel invisible in their online courses, and don't do as well as they could. But there are ways to get noticed, making sure the professor knows exactly who you are. Here are our top five: Get personal. Many courses have an introductory week when students share information about themselves. Reveal a bit more than your major and why you're taking the course. Tell about your job, your kids, your hobbies, and a couple of interesting things about yourself. Reveal a bit more throughout the course. Post first or very early each week. The first responses to a discussion posting will typically get noticed more than the ones that approach the deadline. It will usually impress the instructor that you're early and on top of your game. Raise your hand. Pose questions to the instructor. Don't be obnoxious, but ask the instructor a question every week or so related to the content. It's even okay (and intelligent) to question or disagree with the content that...

Whether you're hoping to be an accountant, an elementary teacher or a public relations specialist, you may find it hard to get a job related to your future career while you're still in college. No need to fret - the experiences you get now in a part-time job really do matter, even if they're not related. Here's a list of worthy part-time gigs for college students, and how they really provide you with more than a little food and gas money. Note that it's often the less-glamorous jobs that give you the strongest experiences. Waiter/Waitress. Many employers love to hire folks with waiting experience because they have learned to work hard and fast, and have exceptional customer service skills. Learning how to deal effectively with angry or impatient customers in the local burger joint actually translates well to dealing with upset parents (for teachers) or patients (medical services).  Market Researcher. Okay, so maybe you hate getting those phone calls during d...

Dr. Anne Gaquere-Parker is Associate Professor Organic Chemistry Laboratory Coordinator at the University of West Georgia.   What she dreamed she'd be when she was growing up: A science teacher. Least favorite word: Y'all Last movie that made her cry: "Chorus," a French film Favorite driving song: "Midnight Train to Georgia," Gladys Knight & Pips Most challenging part of being an eCore instructor: Wondering why students suddenly drop off the face of the earth (or so it seems) without any explanation. How she spends a typical Sunday: Checking eCore class because quizzes are often due on Sunday. What she would tell her 10-year-old self:  Don’t worry about being hard-headed, it will serve you well in the end and do your homework, always! What she loved to do as a 6--year-child:  Lock herself  up in the bathroom with household chemicals to see what would happen when they were mixed together.  Biggest accomplishment before college:...