While regular schools still exist, the virtual 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. 虽然常规学校仍然普遍存在的，虚拟课程在当今的教学领域中扮演着重要的角色。学生们获得工作的机会在迅速增加，因此越来越多不同年龄的人对于在家就可以完成的在线学习有所认知。

 Online students, however, require unique qualities to be successful. The following list discusses some ideal qualities of successful online students.然而对于在线学习的学生来说，他们需要有特别的技能才能取得成功。下面列出了学生们的一些成功的在线学习的方法和技能。

　　1. Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and learning experiences as part of online learning.要做到思想开明，把自己的生活，工作，学习经历跟别人分享作为在线学习的一部分

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 forum for communication removes the visual barriers that hinder some students from expressing themselves. 很多人发现在线学习要求他们用到以前的经历，并且给他们提供了一个跟别人互相交流的平台。这个交流平台给学生们移除了障碍，使他们能更好地表达自己的想法。

 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.另外，在作答之前，学生们有时间对信息做出反应。在这种方法下，学生们就可以互相帮助，使在线学习环境变得开放，友好。

　　2. Be able to communicate through writing.通过书写来交流

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. 虚拟课程的所有交流几乎都是写出来的，所以学生们在能过书写来表过自己的时候应该要感觉到很轻楹舒适，这一点很关键。一些学生书写能力有限，所以在开始在线学习之前需要提高自己的书写能力。

 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 insight from their peers, learning from each other as well as the instructor.这就需要学生们对书写这一方面投入更多的时间和精力。不管是独自学习或在一个团队里学习，学生们相互分享他们的意见，观点，讨论将要学习的课题，同时参考别的同学的。这样，学生们就可以从一起学习的人那里获得更好的见解，同学之间相互学习的同时，也从导师那里学习。

　　3. Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.有问题了要大胆说出来

Remember that instructors cannot see their students in an online course. This means students must be absolutely explicit 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. 要知道在虚拟课程上，导师们是不能面对面看见学生的。这就意味着学生们要明确地表达出他们的意见和要求。如果遇到了技术难题或对课程的理解有疑问，他们必需要大胆说出来，要不然没有人知道（他们）出现了问题。

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.如果有一个人对一些事情不太理解，也许其他人也会出现这个问题。要是别人愿意帮忙解决，她/他会去做的。在向别人表达某些事情的时候，学生们就加强了这个课题知识的学习了。

　　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. 在线学习不比常规课堂容易。事实上，许多学生告诉我们在线学习需要更多的时间和努力。

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.然而，一些成功的学生，认为在线学习是接受教育的一种便捷的方式，但这种方式并不容易。许多学生在晚上或周末才能完成他们的学习任务，他们在电脑前一坐就是几个小时。

 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.当别人已经完成了学习任务在玩乐放松的时候，在线学习的学生们很有可能还在继续他们课程的学习。

　　5. Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of online learning.接受批判性思维和决策作为在线学习的一部分。

Online courses require students to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. It is absolutely necessary for students to assimilate information and make the right decisions based on critical thinking.网上课程要求学生基于事实和经验做出决定。学生们基于批判性思维来摄取信息和做出正确的决策是绝对必要的。

 In a positive online environment, students feel valued by the instructor, by their classmates and by their own work.在一个积极的网络学习环境下，学生们通过导师，同学和自己独立的学习感受到自我价值。

　　6. Be able to think ideas through before replying.在回答问题之前认真思考。

Providing meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of online learning. Time is given to allow for careful development of answers.把有意义的和优质的投入放到虚拟课堂上是在线学习的重要组成部分。学生们有充分的时间仔细作答。

 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.在线学习鼓励学生运用测试性和挑战性的思维。很多时候，学生们并不是总是对的，他们需要准备着接受挑战。

　　7. Keep up with the progress of the course.跟上课程的进度

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.在线学习通常是连续不断的，它需要学生们全心投入学习中。跟上面对面课堂并完成学业至关重要。

 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.学生一旦落后，几乎就跟不上了。学生们希望在课堂上获得学习的经历。导师可能会跟个别的学生进行沟通，提醒他跟上学习的进度。

Just as many excellent instructors may not be effective online facilitators, not all students have the necessary qualities to perform well online.就像不是每一个优秀的导师的辅导都是适合学生达到有效的学习效果一样，不是每个学生都具备必要的能力很好地完成在线学习。

 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.如果某些人拥有我们上述讨论的能力，那么他会在网上学习中获得成功。要是你具备了这些技能，那么在线学习将会是你发现的最美好的事情之一。