A research study was conducted to determine how students develop online learning skills.

Questions were generated from online course designers, faculty and administrators. The questions selected were reviewed by other faculty members and administrators. The edited versions were used in the development of an online survey. A list of participants was generated from graduates who had a grade point average of at least 3.5 and had 80% or more of their classes online. A total of 93 students were invited to participate in the survey, of which 59 students did so. From the survey came a list of seven tips to be a successful online learner.