Educators who have placed students in web-based courses have developed a profile of a
successful online student. In general, these students:
- Like to take on new challenges
- Work well independently and are self-disciplined and self-directed
- Manage their time well and don't procrastinate
- Prioritize their schedules and activities effectively
- Persevere, even when they may not fully understand course material
- Actively ask questions and search out answers
Greater Freedom, More Responsibility
Students have greater freedom and schedule flexibility in an online course than in a traditional
classroom. Although a school mentor will be there to help, students must assume more responsibility
for their own progress.
All AP subjects require good reading comprehension and writing skills, especially English and History.
Equally important, students taking online classes should be comfortable with computers, keyboarding,
and Internet technology.
School support also is a critical factor for student success. Although students have more
responsibility for their learning, the mentor plays an important role in guiding the student and
acting as a liaison with the course instructor. Students earn a grade based on % of quantity and
quality of work completed in the course (sent to the mentor/site coordinator from the instructor).
However, the school makes the final decision as to the grade that will appear on the student’s
transcript for this AP course (some schools weight AP grades, others do not).
