Becoming a successful online learner: Don't panic!

However well prepared you are it is likely that – at some point – your computer will not behave as you expected! If the unexpected does happen, don’t panic! Follow these steps to get back on track:

1. If possible, save any documents that you were working on.
2. Note down any error messages displayed.
3. If you are working with an Internet application, try to determine whether the problem is related to your Internet connection, or to the site that you are trying to access. A good test is to determine whether you can access other sites, such as Google. If you can access other sites, then it is likely that the site you are trying to access is causing the problem, rather than your Internet connection.
4. If possible, close the application (Internet browser, Office document, email) that seems to be causing the problem.
5. If it is not possible to close the problem application, then try simultaneously clicking the Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys. If any applications are listed as “Not responding” then choose to close these.
6. If it is still not possible to close the problem application, then restart your computer.
7. Restart the application that you were working on. You may find that the problem has been resolved. If not:
• For Moodle issues: check the Moodle FAQ or contact moodlehelp@dcu.ie.
• If your Internet connection appears to be causing the problem, then contact your Internet provider.
• If an office file is causing the problem then check the Microsoft support database.
8. Check http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827099 for details on recovering Microsof office files after a ‘crash’.

Ask for help!

If you have a question about a particular module that you think might be relevant to the whole class, then make use of the discussion forum in that module rather than emailing the lecturer directly. In doing so, the question and answer is available to the whole class.

If you are experiencing technical problems with Moodle then check the Moodle FAQ. If your question is not answered via the FAQ then contact moodlehelp@dcu.ie. When contacting Moodle help it is useful for us to know:

• What course, if any, the problem is occurring in.
• If any error messages are being displayed.
• Whether you are using a PC or a Mac.
• The browser software that you are using, and its version.