Online Learning FAQ
Those new to online learning are often unclear about what to expect. Below are some answers to frequently asked questions about 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" campus 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. And probably more, at least at first, as you get oriented to the online CMS.
Do I have to log on to class at a particular time?
Answer: No. You will have deadlines by which to post your work, but when you complete that
work is up to you. You should try to do your work on a daily basis so as to avoid being overburdened at the end of each unit.
Is taking a class online easier than a "regular" class?
Answer: No. The course content in an online class is usually identical to that of a face-to-face 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 workload independently. It has been shown that the most successful online students/teachers tend to share the following characteristics:
- Self-motivation/self-starter
- Good organization and time-management skills
- 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 Web browsers and an email program.
- Some familiarity with Web-based interactions such as email, discussion boards, listservs, and chat rooms.
- Proficiency with typing and word processing.
- Experience in successful Internet searches using a variety of search engines.
How is online teaching different from traditional classroom teaching?
Answer: The online model emphasizes an interactive learning environment, designed to stimulate dialogue between instructor and students and among students themselves. The online process requires both instructor and students to take active roles. The instructor will often act as a facilitator, organizing activities that engage students directly rather than relying too heavily on lectures and memorization.
When and where do classes take place?
Answer: We don't really "meet" in a real-time or physical face-to-face sense. Instead, we interact regularly through the CMS and via email. Courses take place wherever your computer is: at home, at work, on the road - anywhere you can connect to the Internet. Courses are typically organized by week with specific due dates. The model is primarily asynchronous, which means that within each week you and your students may log in whenever it is most convenient. Generally, logging in four to five times per week is necessary to give timely feedback and interact sufficiently with students. Although communication is primarily asynchronous, real-time chat is also available.
How will I be able to communicate with my students?
Answer: A lot of instructors mistakenly assume that they'll feel isolated from their online students. To their surprise, most instructors find that online courses actually provide a high degree of personal contact, and many say that they get to know their online students much better than their students in on-ground courses. This is because asynchronous, online courses offer many more opportunities for reflection, in-depth discussion, and interaction than traditional courses that meet only once or twice a week. Not only will you and your students communicate
directly, everyone in the class can be involved in group- and class-level discussions contributing as much and as often as they want. Far from being an impediment to communication, the online format facilitates and enhances communication and interaction in ways that would be impossible in other situations.