Online learning has become one of the largest growing educational systems in America. Not only in America, but it has also spread to other parts of the world as well. In a recent study by New York Times, more than 500,000 Americans take online courses. According to collegeclasses.com, the first online course was known as “correspondence courses” and began in the 1700’s with pamphlets and textbooks that were sent to the students. However, the success of an online student isn’t something that comes easily but is earned through self-discipline and other vital characteristics. According to the article, “Individual Factors and Successful Learning in a Hybrid Course” by Kelly Arispe and Robert J. Blake, success in online courses is a hybrid language. With this in mind, Blake and Arispe point out what the five main important personality traits to contain, which are, extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, openness, and neuroticism. Before Arispe and Blake go too in-depth, a common question may be, what is a hybrid class? A hybrid class is “a course where a ‘substantial proportion of the content is delivered online [a course that] typically uses online discussions, and [one that] typically has a reduced number of face-to-face meetings” involved (pg.4). However, even though certain personality traits do play a role in the success of learning, success also relies on the learner’s preferences as well. According to Blake, “It is important to know which types of learners thrive in this type of language learning course” (pg.450). This is a key role in online learning success. To put this into a simpler example, think of it this way, would a fish thrive and succeed on dry land where it is out of its natural habitat? No of course not. It works the same way with online learners. If one is not comfortable or capable of learning online, they most likely will not have a successful outcome in their studies. Arispe and Blake point this out and stress the importance of this what might seem simple, but vital key. For online learners this article is very very helpful and provides clear language in the details of what makes a successful online learner. Blake and Arispe do a great job focusing on the characteristics that have been proven to reside in each successful online student. Not only does the article consist of a simple language everyone can understand, but it also offers proof and research that proves their statistics and provides a stable article. Furthermore, the article is also one that online learners can relate to. For example, being an online learner it is important to notice the characteristics and do self-examination to see if you yourself contain these characteristics. Another useful part in this article is at the end Blake and Arispe offer a self-analysis test that allows you to see where you stand as an online learner. I feel this brings the article to life and allows the reader to relate more with the article and to be more involved in the article. Not only do they offer the self-examination test, but they also state the responses from the actual candidates the survey was completed on. Arispe and Blake did such a phenomenal job with this article that it is very applicable to myself being an online learner. I have learned that being an online learner isn’t simple and takes great time management and certain characteristics to get to the level of success that is desired. My biggest step is looking at the characteristics and seeing which apply to myself. The ones that I do contain I will strengthen those so I have a higher rate for success. However, the characteristics that I do not contain as of now, I can begin working on those so all together I as an online learner can be successful in obtaining my degree and furthering my education. All in all, I feel this article by Arispe and Blake covers the most important aspects of success in online learning students. Finally, the success of an online student isn’t something that comes easily but is earned through self-discipline and other vital characteristics. Most importantly, making good use of the time you are given. “Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil,” Ephesians 5:16. Not only does online success and hybrid classes take good time management, but it also takes self-discipline. Without the guidance of God to know we are taking the right steps, and no self-endurance, success in online learning is a struggle. However, with these and also the right characteristic, online success can be a breeze.

References
A Brief History of the Online Classroom and Virtual College Courses. (2012, February 10). Retrieved February 23, 2015.
The Holy Bible: Containing the Old and New Testaments with the Apocryphal/Deuterocanonical books : New Revised Standard Version. (1989). New York: Oxford University Press.
Arispe, K., & Blake, R. (2011). Individual factors and successful learning in a hybrid course.