Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Online Courses

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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about
Online Courses
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Question Is an online class the same as a
self-paced class?
Answer NO

• Most online classes are NOT self-paced.
• Usually homework, other activities, and online
  class participation must be completed by
  deadlines.
• Many instructors set the deadline for midnight
  on Saturday to assist those who work Monday
  Friday.
• Use a calendar for deadlines.
• Set aside time each week to login.

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Question How much time do I have to spend
online?
Answer That is up to you

• You should plan to spend at least the same amount
  of time you would spend on a face-to-face class.
• For a one unit class -- you'll spend a minimum of
  one hour a week looking at some of the class
  resources, checking on assignments, contributing
  to discussions, and posting homework.
• Youll probably spend another 3 hours on reading,
  practice activities and homework. 

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Question Do I have to log on at a particular
time?
Answer Usually NOT.

• You will have deadlines by which to submit your
  homework, but WHEN you complete that work is
  usually up to you. 
• Your instructor MAY require chat sessions or
  other real time activities.
• Its important NOT to leave it to the last minute
  to do your work or to submit it.
• If you have trouble connecting to your ISP or the
  course website, then your assignments will be
  late.

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Question Where do we meet for class?
Answer Online, not in a classroom.

• Other than the orientation meeting, most online
  courses don't really "meet" face-to-face.
• We'll interact regularly through the Internet.
• We'll be using some software called Desire2Learn
  and using the Los Rios eLearning web server.  
• Course materials and tools arecourse web pages,
  discussion boards, news items, email, and more.

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Question How will we communicate?
Answer In many ways.

• We'll communicate with each other using web-based
  discussion boards, chat rooms, email, and more.  
  
• The instructor is available to you through email,
  voicemail and virtual office hours.
• On-campus office hours are also available by
  appointment.
• These same tools will be used for
  student-to-student communication also.

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Question Is taking a class online easier than a
"regular" class?
Answer No.

• Some students think an online class is even more
  demanding than a face-to-face class.
• You have to stay motivated and stay on top of
  your work for the class.
• The workload in an online class is usually
  identical to an on-site class on the same topic.

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Research shows that most Successful Online
Students are

• Self-motivated and self-starters,
• Have good organizational skills,
• Have good time-management skills,
• Are familiar with computers and the Internet,
• Are resourceful and actively seek answers and
  solutions to questions and problems.

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Question Do I have to have a computer at home?
Answer NO

• Access to a computer at home makes it easier, but
  you do NOT have to own a computer for an online
  class.
• Students can access computers on the campus in
  several locations (the Learning Resource Center,
  and the Business Computer lab, for example) or at
  other district colleges.
• Some students complete online classes from work
  (with permission from their employer, of
  course).  

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Question What Internet skills would be helpful
in an online class? Answer

• Know how to use a web browser.
• Know how to use an email program.
• Know how to make and organize bookmarks in your
  browser software.
• Some familiarity with web-based
  interactions--discussion boards, chat and mailing
  lists will also be useful.
• Some familiarity with word processing.
• Experience in successful Internet searches using
  a variety of search engines.

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QuestionWhat Is Expected from StudentsAnswer

• As in a regular face-to-face class, your
  instructor expects that you will adhere to
  standards of
• courtesy,
• professionalism, and
• academic honesty.
• Participate with appropriate consideration for
  each other and for the instructor. 
• Your e-mails and web postings should
• be on the topic at hand,
• be appropriate and
• should reflect a professional demeanor.

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Do You Know Online Etiquette? 

• Identify yourself by name in each email or
  posting.
• Be supportive and constructive in your comments
  to each other.
• Help and support each other.
• Everyone will benefit from a positive online
  learning environment.
• Read information on Online Etiquette. (Use the
  Back button to come back and finish the
  presentation.)

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Academic Honesty

• It is a violation of college policy to plagiarize
  or to recycle work.
• You must not
• take others thoughts or words without
  appropriate acknowledgment
• submit work that has been written or revised in
  part or in whole by another person
• submit work that you have submitted for another
  class.

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Be sure to get the following Course Information
from your instructor

• Course Objectives
• Course Expectations
• Assignments
• How to submit assignments
• How to label files
• How to address your emails to the instructor
• Grading Policies
• Other course issues

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Video Clips and Animations

• Another section of the Orientation will
  demonstrate some of the online tools that well
  use for the course
• You can read the written instructions or watch
  the video demonstrations.
• Link to an Orientation on
• Using Los Rios eLearning Desire2Learn
• Other tools for
• Getting Started.

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Contact your instructor if you have any other
questions.
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Login to Los Rios eLearningby clicking on the
link below.
Happy Computing!