Classroom experience
Success strategies
Being successful as an online student requires work-life-school balance. Check out the articles below for advice and tips from fellow students, faculty and ASU Online staff on how to survive and thrive online.
DARS
The Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) allows undergraduate students to track their progress toward graduation. A degree audit is an automated report that matches courses a student has completed with the requirements of their academic degree program. Below you’ll find a guide on reading and understanding your DARS. Contact your academic advisor with any questions.
iPOS
iPOS is the interactive plan of study for graduate students. It’s an agreement between the student, academic unit and Graduate College that maps the requirements for degree completion. Create your iPOS with your academic advising team. The resources below will support you as you progress through your plan.
Classroom connection
Building connections with fellow learners is a different experience for online students. ASU Online provides methods for staying connected such as discussion boards, faculty email and office hours, and more.
Connecting with classmates
Connecting with classmates
Hallway conversations
This discussion board takes the place of the conversation you might have before or after class with other students and the professor. You can post basic questions about the course (such as layout, content or due dates) or common questions you think other students might be able to help you with (such as technology issues or where to submit assignments).
Professors or TAs will often respond to your questions within a day. You’ll also discover that your classmates are helpful and supportive and may even respond to your question before the professor gets to it.
.svg){kind=small}
Graded discussion boards
These can range from 100-word responses to detailed reports. In general, the graded discussion boards will ask you to consider the week’s materials, form your own opinion about a specific topic you covered and then respond to other students’ posts. Professors often include a grading rubric to guide your writing process.
These assignments are great ways to strengthen your writing and debating skills and allow you to exchange ideas with other students. Remember, these posts are graded, so avoid using slang and make sure to be civil when responding to posts.
Module/reading discussion boards
Are there some practice problems with which you need help? Is there a section of the assigned text you didn’t understand? These discussion boards are the place to go.
These boards are usually located under the Module or Week tabs. Professors encourage students to use these boards to post questions, thoughts or concerns they might have about the material covered in modules or readings. Students also like to post reflections around the material, or links to other articles or media that are relevant to the week’s topics.
Connecting with faculty
Connecting with faculty
- Don’t be afraid to email. Professors expect you to have questions and are happy for you to reach out and ask them. Make sure to include the course title in the subject of the email and always send these emails from your course shell or your ASU account.
- Set up an appointment during office hours. Office hours are listed on the syllabus and are often available by appointment as well.
- Utilize the TA. TAs have usually taken the course so they know what the professor is looking for in assignments. They’re usually further along in their studies, too, so they can provide valuable advice.
- If you would like to ask your professor for a letter of recommendation, such as for grad school, here are some tips:
- Make a connection. Provide your professor with the tools to write you a personalized recommendation. The more your professor gets to know you via email, office hours or other virtual means, the stronger recommendation they will be able to provide.
- Plan ahead. Don’t wait until the day or week the application is due to request a letter of recommendation. Faculty members are busy just like you and will need to find time in their schedules to complete your request.
- Don’t assume. Some faculty members don’t write letters of recommendation or they have specific criteria that must be met before they do so. If you know you want a recommendation from a specific professor or professor of a specific course, connect with them early in the session to learn about their process.
- Be optimistic. Your professors want to see you succeed and are prepared to help you on your path to success. Send an email, be engaged in virtual class discussions and attend office hours when you can. Most of all, confidently ask for that letter of recommendation. Even if you hear no from one professor, thank them and ask another.
Connecting with classroom materials
Connecting with classroom materials
ASU wants you to have the best possible classroom experience. The end-of-course surveys are important in gathering your feedback on what went well, what didn’t and any suggestions for future Sun Devils in this course. These surveys are sent directly to our quality assurance and instructional design teams to improve classes.
If you have questions, talking to your success coach is a great place to start. You can reach the coaching center at 844-691-2240.
My ASU
Need help navigating My ASU? Check out our tutorial and learn how to easily connect with your success coach, academic advisor and the rest of your academic support team. You’ll also find links to class search, Canvas, DARS and more. Let's turn navigating My ASU into a breeze!
Support
Got a question? We’re ready to help! Based on your question or concern, choose from the following support teams:
Help Desk
Visit help.asu.edu, call 855-278-5080 or get help through My ASU.
Contact the Help Desk for technology, email, My ASU, finances or other classroom issues.
Academic advisor
My ASU > Academic Support Team > Academic Advising
Contact your academic advisor for help with course selection and mapping your route to graduation.
Success coach
My ASU > Academic Support Team > Success Coach
Or call 844-691-2240. You may also contact your success coach for help with setting goals, success strategies and connecting with resources.