Get one, or switch to an in-person class. While it is possible to use the computers on campus, a friend's computer, or a computer at work, it is difficult for students to manage this course if they do not have somewhat regular access to their own computer.
One of the benefits of an online course is the ability to go to class at any time, any day, and in your pajamas with a cup of coffee in hand if you wish! Relying on others to access a computer has it's disadvantages including: Having limited time on the computer, not being allowed to download required software, lack of privacy to watch and listen to materials, and additional distractions.
No, if you don't have time to go to school, you won't have time to meet the class requirements - to be successful online, you should expect to spend at least as much time to complete your online class as you would for a face-to-face class.
Successful online students are taking this course because a) they prefer the flexibility of the class time; and b) They enjoy the challenges of computer-mediated communication. Students who take this course because their schedules are extremely full, or because they think it will be easy are not ideal online students.
Log in and go! Your instructor tracks your every move. Some assignments are reading, viewing, etc. and may not have a component that you turn in to the instructor. In order to be successful in online classes, you MUST do all of the required activities.
Using the CMS (Course Management System), your instructor can see where you've been and what you've done, even the location and IP address of the computer you are signing on from.
Since we don't have what educators call "seat time," or "real time," it's difficult to really have a vacation. Whether you are in a face-to-face class or an Internet class, you have to cover the same amount of material. You will need to develop the same skills and competencies as you would in an on-campus course, so expect the workload to be the same.
Due dates generally will not be on school holidays and instructor may adjust assignment for University breaks, however, no snow days online.
You can either email your instructor to arrange a time to talk on the phone, or set up a time to meet him or her in the office. Contact your instructor for his or her availability and office hours.
Your instructor may or may not allow you to work ahead in the course. If this is not clear on the syllabus make certain to ask.
Probably not. Your instructor will more than likely have deadlines and due dates. These should be very clearly stated in the syllabus or online in the assignments. Make sure to ask if you are not sure of due dates.
It is recommended that you keep track of your grades and assignments. However, your instructor may elect to use the grade book in the Course Management System.
If the grade book is turned on then you will see a link entitled Grades where you can check your status on assignments and/or quizzes you have completed.
Click on the quiz link on the course menu of the course homepage. Quizzes may or may not be timed. Each quiz may have different sets and types of questions. The instructor's syllabus should spell out the delivery methods and may even note the types of questions you can expect on the quizzes. If you think you have found an error on the quiz, please contact your instructor immediately.
CMS is an acronym for "course management system." CMSs are software systems, like WebCT, Blackboard, or Moodle, that provide delivery methods for online courses or materials.
The wonderful thing about technology today is that it is so easy to access the Internet from almost anywhere! On vacation? The hotel generally has a business center where you can access the Internet or there's an Internet cafe in town. Computer problems? You can come to campus and use one of the many labs, or you can use the free computers at any public library. Have a back-up plan in place and remember to back up all your assignment files on a thumb drive or CD.
At the very least, you should contact your instructor (by email or phone) immediately if you have technical difficulties that prevent you from completing your assignments or quizzes. It is also a very good idea to try to complete assignments as quickly as possible after the instructor makes them available so that a technical glitch doesn't cause you to miss a deadline. Your instructor will likely reject a technology failure or computer crash as an acceptable excuse for a lack of timely submissions or participation online.
You are required to have an ASU Email account for this course (you can use either AppalNet or http://appmail.appstate.edu). We heartily recommend that you do not forward email from your ASU account to an external provider (like Yahoo, Hotmail, or Gmail). Use your Appalachian account for "official" email course communications
The same rules, guidelines, and deadlines for withdrawing from traditional classes apply to Online learning classes.
Some instructors might have you attend a required orientation in person at the beginning of the semester. In addition, many Online learning classes require students to take their exams on campus or in some other proctored environment. Some classes also have live "chat" sessions where students are required to be on-line during a particular day and time.
In most cases, however, students taking online courses do meet their instructors in person at some point. To find out details regarding a class you are interested in or are already registered for, contact the instructor.