FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ONLINE COURSES |
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A. GENERAL QUESTIONS
B. QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPUTER HARDWARE, SOFTWARE, ETC. C. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ONLINE FORMAT OF THIS CLASS
C. SPECIFIC QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ONLINE FORMAT OF THIS CLASS1. When is the class offered? Will there be specific, required hours for class meetings? Will there be any on-campus meetings?Online classes are usually organized in such a way that there are assigned lessons with several days or weeks to complete each graded assignment whenever possible. However, there may be specific instructions for "live" discussion sessions, such as "chat" sessions. These activities would obviously involve a specific time. In addition, your instructor will usually be available for "rapid response" email contact during the regular school week (Monday through Friday in most cases). If necessary, on-campus meetings can often be arranged as well, often during the instructor's office hours (note: There are usually no office hours during Summer sessions).
2. What advantage is this class over the traditional "in class" course? Can I attend this class at my own pace, at times convenient to me?Yes, students report that the greatest benefit to them from taking a class in the online format is the convenience of working at their own pace at times that fit their schedule. You complete the same lessons that the in-class students complete, but the lectures are delivered in alternative format, discussions are conducted electronically (through email, discussion groups or chat rooms), and you complete the exercises using your own computer equipment at your convenience. However, these are usually NOT "open entry" classes, there will still be deadlines for completing work, and work received after the deadlines will be subject to penalty or not accepted at all if they are submitted after the final deadline.
3. How does an online class work, anyway? How do I "attend class"? How will my teacher know I am "there"?While there are many variables and not every online class is set up the same way, here is a general overview of how they work.A class web page is established on a course management server such as Blackboard. Students are given an account that has been created for them. The class web page is usually controlled by the instructor and students use a login name and password to access it. Specific instructions about course access are covered in the orientation for each class so students should make sure they have all the information they need before class begins. It's VERY IMPORTANT to get started in your online class WHEN IT BEGINS. These are not "self-paced" open entry/open exit courses for the most part. They have a definite assignment schedule and students must be ready to start when the class starts, just like in a traditional classroom-based course. Many online classes have even MORE interaction between students during the class than is possible in a classroom setting so it's important to participate throughout the course. The course web site generally provides the course documents. An online class may (or may not) involve a specific textbook but there will almost always be some reading assignment, perhaps extended by providing links to Internet resources related to the lesson. Assignments are distributed electronically, either through email or on the class web page. Most courses involve more than "just" reading....they are usually activities to supplement and reinforce the reading material and many of these may be graded. Sometimes students want to "save time" by "skipping" the reading material and going directly to the activity, such as a quiz or project. This is almost always a mistake since the activities are based on the specific reading material. Even if a student has some previous knowledge about the course subject, they are cheating themselves by trying to "skip" the reading assignment because that is in most cases the "heart" of the online course. If you dislike reading, online college courses are probably not your best choice. The way you "attend class" is to go to the class web page and follow the instructions. The way you let your teacher know you are "there" is by sending email and communicating through the Discussion Board, if that is part of the instructions, and/or through email. Just like a student must make the effort to be physically present in a campus-based class, it is up to the student to let the teacher know he or she is "attending class" by communicating. Check your email regularly; it's best if you can get to it every day. If "every day" is a burden, you should at least check it 4-5 times a week to see if there is any communication from your teacher or other students regarding your class. Be sure to reply to every message and assignment, even if to say "I'm running behind schedule" because you might find yourself "dropped" from a class if you don't! On the other hand, if you find you are unable to continue the class, don't assume the instructor will figure it out and drop you....very few teachers have had formal training in mind-reading and it's important for students to realize it is their responsibility to drop a class they can't complete...especially since the students are the ones who will have to deal with the "F" on their grade records if they don't! The college online and telephone registration systems are set up to handle class drops as well as adds. And if you do have to drop a class, let the teacher know....don't just "fade off into the sunset." We all understand that sometimes circumstances require a drop....many of us have dropped classes ourselves! But it could be days or even weeks before paperwork reaches us from the college so we are counting on you to let us know. Some online classes rely heavily on testing to establish grades in the course, others emphasize projects or other methods for grading. These assessments may be delivered online or may require a trip to campus. This will almost always be explained at the orientation meeting, which is another very good reason to attend that event if one is offered. Further information specific to each course is usually provided in the course syllabus or other documents on the course web site. 4. How do online classes differ from the regular campus-based class?The main difference is where you are when you complete the lessons and the format they are delivered in. In a classroom setting, the instructor uses his or her voice to explain concepts, demonstrates how they work, and then follows up with activities designed to reinforce the lesson. In the online class, concepts are explained in text format with activities designed to demonstrate and reinforce the lesson as part of the explanation as well as a followup.An individual student in the classroom is tied to the instructor's schedule; in the online format, each student works at a pace comfortable to that individual. Some may take more time on each lesson than the classroom allows, others may move more quickly. However, in both formats, the instructor is available to answer questions, provide additional information to clarify points, and restate an explanation when necessary. The instructor can also suggest alternatives or troubleshoot problems in both formats. In fact, experience has shown that many online students have found it easier to ask individual questions or get additional information by email than during class hours.
5. Can I take this class for Credit? Can I take it for Non-Credit? Is this really a "real" class?This is really a "real" class, both in online and classroom format. All the grading rules that apply in traditional classroom format also apply to the online format. If you wish, you have the option to apply to take this class on a Credit/No Credit basis rather than a regular graded basis.Classes taken C/NC are not calculated as part of your grade point average so often students who are not working toward an Associate's degree will choose this option. However, if you are taking the online course for eventual transfer to another college or university, or if it is part of a certificate program, you must take the course on a letter grade basis. Students who want a grade of C or Credit must complete the assignments but sometimes do not have to take the final exam. Students who want a letter grade higher than a C must complete all the assignments and take the final exam. Students who do not take the final exam and also do not complete the assignments will either get a grade of No Credit (if they filed this option) or F (if they did not file this option). If you want to take this class on a Credit/No Credit basis, you must file the appropriate paperwork (there is a form) and submit it to the admissions office during the first 1/5 of the class. Contact the admissions office directly at (714)628-4900 if you have questions regarding this option.
6. How and where do I take the test?If a campus-based test is required for a class you are taking for graded credit, you MIGHT be able to make an appointment to take the test in the testing center at Santiago Canyon College, 8045 East Chapman Avenue, Orange, CA. If you instructor has made arrangements for this option, you will be told how to proceed. However, please note that there are EXTREMELY LIMITED OPTIONS for make-up testing and the available times may not be convenient for you!! If you are totally unable to come to campus and your class has a required final exam, you should probably plan to take the class on a Credit/No Credit basis so be sure to file that paperwork at the beginning of the course.
7. Will I have any contact with the Instructor?Students in an online class often have more contact with the instructor than those in a more traditional format. The instructor is usually available for electronic contact through email, occasionally with some "chat" hours added. In addition, students can sometimes make arrangements for telephone contact with the instructor or come to campus for an appointment during designated hours, if necessary.
8. Can I get the lecture by live audio or video stream?At this time, most lessons do not include live audio or video streaming; primarily text and graphics are utilized. However, we are experimenting with this medium and some portions of some classes may be offered in this format.
9. What if I don't "get it" in an online format?In case you find you are unable to understand a lesson or concept the online format, and further contact with the instructor by email or telephone does not provide enough help, you can sometimes attend that specific lecture in the classroom-based format. Contact the instructor for information about this option and when that topic will be covered in class. However, for some classes this may not be available.Please note that Santiago Canyon College has a Tutoring Center to help with many classes. Please contact your instructor to find out if there is a tutor for your class and how to go about getting that help. If you need assistance learning how to access Blackboard or "getting started" with the online access, there are lab aides available in the SCC computer lab on campus and librarians in the SCC library who can also assist you, in addition to help from your instructor. DO NOT WAIT to get help if you are having problems! An online class generally moves much faster than most students realize and a delay of even a few days can mean the difference between success and not being able to complete the class. Remember, it's up to you to take care of yourself and if you are having problems, you should take action immediately!
10. How much time will this class take? What demands will it make on my schedule?Read the "How Much Time" article for more information about this.Online classes are designed to fulfill the same standard time commitment for coursework as the classroom-based format, which is 16 hours lecture per semester per unit (ie, a 3-unit class equals 48 hours classroom lecture) plus outside time to complete readings and lessons. However, since those guidelines are general, the amount of time to complete each lesson may vary by student, just as it does for classroom-based work. You may find that your time can be used more efficiently in the online format, since travel time and related classroom activities such as taking roll and distributing paperwork, etc., are eliminated in the online version. Also, since you can choose the length of time you wish to devote to each session, some students find a few minutes effort once or twice a day, several days a week, works better for them rather than scheduling marathon sessions at the computer. However, the total amount of time actually spent on reading, projects, assignments and so forth for your online class is likely to at least equal the time that would have been spent by taking the same course in the classroom and doing the required homework.
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