Review: Guide for perplexed online learners
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 10 2, 2012
Some of us--and I'll fess to being totally in this group--don't like to approach a new experience without an orientation.This book is the freshman orientation for online education.I wish I'd had this book before I began my first online learning course. Unfortunately, that was a long time ago, because I'm just geeky to get close to the bleeding edge once in a while. I'm also just geeky enough that I never really feared online learning.Still, I would have appreciated the author's advice about time management and procrastination. Actually, her advice there is helpful to anyone who works alone. I especially like her method of turning excuses upside down. The technique of rescheduling distractions as rewards is also brilliant.Each chapter features selected action steps for you to take and concludes with an easy-reference list of key takeaway points. The book is well-written, with a lively style that makes it a quick read. Just the thing for someone jump-starting their first online course.The Kindle edition unfortunately bears signs of a print design converted to e-format, even though there is, at this point, no print edition. Remarks in the book refer to "printing" the pages, and the PDF version of the book is perfect, so getting that version from Hardy's website, elearningtrainer.com, may be your best bet. For the most part, the book's designer has done a great job. There are only a couple of hitches in the Kindle conversion with charts that are designed like the fill-in-the-blanks sort of thing you'd find in a printed workbook. The charts run offscreen in the Kindle app, requiring a sideways scroll. Nevertheless, the Kindle conversion is well-done--better than most.This is what I like to call a right-sized book. At 48 pages, it is still comprehensive, dealing with all the major issues that are likely to trip up a newbie. The $10 price tag may seem a bit steep for a 48-page book, but if this is the book you need to embrace online learning and succeed at it, that will be a tenner well-spent.The marketing for this book is clear: It's designed for people who are afraid of embarking on their first online learning experience. Online learning is only going to become more common, and people who let fear prevent them from participating will find themselves left behind. This book will prevent that sorry state.Disclaimer: The author provided free e-copies of this book for review purposes.