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How does Online learning work?
Online
and Blended classes are extremely popular! I have been teaching online
since 2003. Cuyamaca College has added many online and blended courses to
the college in all disciplines.
Click
here to read how Online Classes work
In online and blended courses, students work on assignments at home, using e-mail
and the Web to communicate with other students and the instructor.
It is important that you have access to a high speed internet connection.
Students should have basic computer skills (word processing, e-mail, Web
browsing) knowledge.
Am I ready to succeed in an online class?
This Orientation will introduce you to course content and
expectations.
This online quiz will help you assess your readiness. (I set this up
to open in a new browser window. To get back to this page, close the
window when you are finished.)
How does it work?
An online course follows a schedule and syllabus (just like an
fully on-campus
course), but you can do the work any time during the week as long as you
meet the due date at the end of the week (Sunday night by 11:55 PM).
Instead of attending class two days a week, you will attend class only
one day a week if your class is blended. You will never attend
class if your class is ONLINE. The schedule on the course Web site links to
assignment instructions and resources. Blackboard is used for announcements, discussion,
submitting assignments, quizzes, email, and checking grades. You are responsible for reading the
e-textbook (CollegeScope), quizzes, and completing
all class assignments. You have access to the entire class via
email and to your instructor as well.
So what do I need to be an online student?
Here's what you need to be able to succeed in an online course:
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Access to a computer with Internet access (e-mail, Internet
Explorer).
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Course software.
See the
OPEN LAB
for use of the computers on campus in the new Science and Technology
building.
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Order you E-textbook, CollegeScope right away at
http://www.collegescope.com/ccs/cuyamaca.
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Ability and willingness to work independently.
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Good experience with Internet and with Windows. (Can you
troubleshoot problems or do you have access to technical support?
Could you e-mail me a URL or a file?)
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Good reading and writing skills.
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TIME! Successful students schedule at
least 3 hours per unit each week to work on a semester length class.
Resources and
Downloads
How do I Communicate, Turn Work In, etc.
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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
or more (daily is preferred and before you meet for class to get any
important announcements from your instructor).
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Occasionally I will contact you by email or phone. Let me know if
your email address or phone number changes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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You can also call, email me, or stop by my office. See my
home
page for contact information and my schedule.
Do you have any tips for online students?
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Keep up with the class. The biggest problem
online students have is gradually falling behind. You lose points
when assignments are late, and you may be dropped from the class if
you get behind.
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Schedule at least 9 hours per week to focus on a 3-unit
class.
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Work with a small group, either in-person or via
phone or e-mail.
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Contact your instructor as soon as you begin to
have problems or if you decide to drop. A lot of times, a short visit
or phone call can clear up a question that might otherwise trouble you
for days.
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Check e-mail and online discussion boards several times a week.
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Have a back-up plan in case your computer crashes.
What Do Students Say About Online Learning?
Former students offered these tips:
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Start early on assignments and remain focused.
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Find a partner and work with him/her. The input is of
great value, you always have peer support.
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Talk online with each other and find a friend.
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Don't put off any of the assignments, readings,
quizzes, or discussions.
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Don't be afraid to ask questions.
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This is not an easy class. Stay on top of assignments.
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Stay on top of the assignments and give it more time than "just
getting by."
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Be ready to go quickly with all the necessary components
(software, books, computer, Internet).
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The single best predictor of success in this course is
persistence.
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Schedule 2-3 sessions a week to work on the class. At the
beginning of each session, set goals for yourself and prioritize.
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BE SURE to read e-mail regularly -- daily is best.
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Don’t be shy about asking questions. There’s no point in
struggling for more than 15 minutes on a problem.
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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:
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I enjoyed having the time to work at home at my convenience.
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Not being held down to a "class time" allowed me to attend class
online during my most creative times.
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I liked online interaction from other classmates.
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Love the online, my schedule, I'm in control.
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I liked the fact that I could do it at home. It does prove
difficult at times, but having a partner is terrific.
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What I enjoyed most was being able to work on my own projects.
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Self pace, good communication, online discussion.
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It was fun, interesting, and creative.
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Quick response time to e-mailed questions. Class was well
organized, but would be easier face-to-face.
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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:
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It is harder to stay motivated and put the time in.
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Some things are hard to explain by e-mail or phone.
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You will miss some of the details covered in a Face-to-Face class.
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It’s harder for your teacher to get to know you.
Good Luck!! Let's have FUN!!!
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