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Welcome to Online Learning!

Online teaching is relatively new and many people don't know what it is, or how it's done, or even some of the terms. Some of you may know what's involved, but may not know how to get started, or you may have trepidation about handling some of the issues. In this workshop, you will be introduced to the unique environment of online teaching and learning. It is unique because it uses the Internet as the primary means of communication. You do not have to be someplace to teach and your office can be anywhere (since there is no there there!) Online learning is flexible for students too. They communicate in virtual classrooms. New technologies and techniques are emerging all of the time, but the desire to send and receive information efficiently remains constant. Freedom and innovation can also be perplexing. If you remove your conventional classroom tools, how do you teach? In this workshop you will explore the role of the online instructor and be introduced to the online environment.

Virtual classroom: Any online area in which instructors and students "meet", via their computer connections, for course activities.

One of the best ways to learn about online teaching is to be an online student. Reflect often on your experience as a student in this workshop. Start a journal and take notes about your experience. Always remember what it was like in the beginning! These notes will help you plan your own online student-centered course.

I started teaching online in 2003.  I've taught online at four different colleges and universities (National University, Chapman University, San Diego Mesa College and Cuyamaca College) with three different course management systems (e-College, Blackboard, and WebCT).  Before teaching, I took two classes on how to teach online using WebCT (one online class and one face-to-face class).  After teaching online, I continued to take classes on course development such as WebCT Course Makeover, Dreamweaver, and more.  I am always looking for new ideas and improvements for my online courses.  I also took online classes in different disciplines (non-technology) so that I could experience being an online student (I highly recommend this--I took classes in the college counseling certificate program through UCLA extension). 

Online education is extremely popular and since I've been teaching online, Cuyamaca College has added many online and blended courses to the college in all disciplines.  In an online or blended course, students work on assignments at home, using e-mail and the Web to communicate with other students and the instructor.

Am I ready to succeed in an online class?

This online quiz will help you assess your readiness.

How does it work?

If this is your first online class, take a look at these online resources that will help you know what to expect, and how to communicate in the online course environment.

• Master the Basics: Netiquette
• Hints for Online Learning
• The California Virtual Campus Online Survival Guide

Students who enroll in an online class for the first time often are unclear about what to expect in these new forms of courses. Below, please find some answers to frequently asked questions about hybrid or online classes.

Is an online class the same as a self-paced class?

Answer: No. While some online classes are similar to independent study, most online classes are NOT self-paced classes. The due dates for documents and class participation reflect those of a "regular" on-site class. Homework, other activities, and online class participation must be completed by preset dates and times. 

How much time do I have to spend online?

Answer: You should plan to spend at least the same amount of time you would spend on a face-to-face class. This workshop is equivalent to a four-unit course, and is four weeks. You can expect a minimum of ten hours of instructional time per week.  Successful students schedule at least 3 hours per unit each week to work on a semester class, double that for an 8-week class.

Do I have to log on to class at a particular time?

Answer: No. You will have deadlines by which to post your homework, but when you complete that work (2 am or 11:30 PM or any other time) is up to you. This is an intensive workshop, so you should try to do your work on a daily basis to avoid being overburdened at the end of the week. If you have a problem, contact the instructor or use the discussion bulletin board to try to get assistance from other students in the class. If you leave it to the last minute and then run into trouble, you'll end up completing your work late or maybe not at all.

Where do we meet for class?

Answer: We don't really "meet" in a real-time or physical face to face sense. Instead, we'll interact regularly through Discussion Board using several discussion forums, as well as email. To access the Discussion Board, just click on the Discussion Board link to the left on the course menu.

Is taking a class online easier than a "regular" class?

Answer: No. The course content that you face in an online class usually is identical to that of an on-site class on the same topic. Some people think the workload is even more demanding than a regular face-to-face class in that you have to be a self-directed learner, stay motivated and stay on top of your work for the class.  It has been shown that the most successful online students tend to share the following characteristics:

• Self-motivation/self-starter
• Good organization and time-management skills
• Somewhat familiar with computers and the Internet
• Resourceful and actively seek answers and solutions to questions and problems

What Internet skills would be helpful in an online class?

Answer: The most successful students have the following Internet skills:

• Familiarity with their web browser and an email program.
• Know how to make and organize bookmarks in their browser software.
• Some familiarity with web-based interactions�email, bulletin boards, listservs, mailing lists, and chat rooms will also be useful.
• Some proficiency with word processing.
• Experience in successful Internet searches using

How do I Communicate, Turn Work In, etc.

• Blackboard is a course management tool used to communicate (discussion forum and e-mail), submit assignments, take quizzes and exams, and check grades.  Plan to check Blackboard twice a week.  Course announcements will be posted to the Blackboard discussion forum. 
• Occasionally I will contact you by email or phone.  Let me know if your email address or phone number changes.
• Assignments are posted on the course Web site with due dates and instructions for turning in the work. Usually, you'll submit a file to Blackboard. Look for feedback and a grade on Blackboard within a week of the due date.
• Quizzes are on Blackboard and you will usually have a week to take a quiz. Most of the time you will get immediate feedback and your score is posted as soon as you submit your quiz. Most quizzes can be repeated - scores are usually averaged.
• Post your questions at the Blackboard discussion board forum. You should get an answer from one of your classmates by the next business day.  Email me if your question is urgent or personal. 
• You can also call, email me, or stop by my office. See my home page for contact information and my schedule.

What Do Students Say About Online Learning?

Former students offered these tips:

• Start early on projects and remain focused.
• Divide the work into small parts and work steadily each week to complete assignments.  Don't procrastinate or wait until right before the deadline to do the work.
• Find a partner or your campus resource person and work with them. The input is of great value.
• Talk online with each other and find a friend.
• Don't put off any of the assignments.
• Don't be afraid to ask questions.
• This is not an easy class. Stay on top of assignments.
• Stay on top of the assignments and give it more time than "just getting by."
• Be ready to go quickly with all the necessary components (software, books, computer, Internet).
• The single best predictor of success in this course is persistence.
• Schedule 2-3 sessions a week to work on the class. At the beginning of each session, set goals for yourself and prioritize.
• BE SURE to read e-mail regularly -- daily is best.
• Don’t be shy about asking questions. There’s no point in struggling for more than 15 minutes on a problem.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to start an assignment. If you run into a problem, it may take time to get help.

Here's what students liked about online learning:

• I enjoyed having the time to work at home at my convenience.
• Not being held down to a "class time" allowed me to attend class online during my most creative times.
• I liked online interaction from other classmates.
• Love the online, my schedule, I'm in control.
• I liked the fact that I could do it at home. It does prove difficult at times, but having a partner is terrific.
• What I enjoyed most was being able to work on my own projects.
• Self pace, good communication, online discussion.
• It was fun, interesting, and creative.
• Quick response time to e-mailed questions. Class was well organized, but would be easier face-to-face.
• The freedom of not having to come to class, the abundance of information at the course web site, quick feedback to assignments.
   

Here's what students didn't like:

• It is harder to stay motivated and put the time in.
• Some things are hard to explain by e-mail or phone.
• You will miss some of the details covered in a Face-to-Face class.
• It’s harder for your teacher to get to know you.

Good Luck!!  Let's have FUN!!!

*sources from @One and Frequently Asked Questions created by Dr. Marsha Conley, Instructional Technology Coordinator at American River College