Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Online Courses

1. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Online Courses

2. 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.

3. 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. • You’ll probably spend another 3 hours on reading, practice activities and homework. 

4. 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. • It’s 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. Research shows that most Successful Online Studentsare: • 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.

9. 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).  

10. 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.

11. Question:What 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.

12. 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.)

13. 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.

14. 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

15. Video Clips and Animations • Another section of the Orientation will demonstrate some of the online tools that we’ll 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.

16. Contact your instructor if you have any other questions.

17. Login to Los Rios eLearningby clicking on the link below. Happy Computing!