All About Internet Courses and Online Learning
What is Online Learning Like?
Online
learning includes the same high-quality instruction and course content
provided in our on-campus courses, but in a format that addresses
the academic needs of students who are seeking further education but
are unable to participate in on-campus courses and programs.
You can come to class whenever it's convenient for you. You choose when and where you participate in class. Learn at home, at work, or wherever you have access to a computer and the Internet. While your course will follow a semester-like schedule with both a start and an end date, you will have no "live" classes to attend. Instead, you decide when to participate in weekly lectures, coursework, and discussions. Instructor scheduled due dates give you necessary structure, but allow you great flexibility. You will no longer have to commute to campus, take off work, or arrange for childcare in order to attend class.
What Can I Expect When Taking an Online
Course?
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The instructor is usually a full-time faculty member and is willing to personally assist you. He or she develops the curriculum, conducts the class, gives the assignments, answers questions, leads discussions, and assigns grades.
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You can enter the course site 24 hours a day / 7 days a week from wherever you have access to the World Wide Web.
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The course web site will contain syllabus, lectures, threaded discussions, e-mail groups, and academic resources.
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You'll probably want to logon at least once a day.
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Classes rarely have more than 25 students.
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Each course has a specific begin & end date. Courses begin the first day of each semester (unless noted otherwise).
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You'll spend an average of 10-15 hours a week on coursework.
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Most courses have weekly assignments that can be submitted online.
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Most Exams can be taken online depending upon the course.
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Students are of all ages, and most are working professionals.
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You have direct, one-to-one communication with your instructor and fellow students.
Can I Start My Class Anytime I Want?
NO. Each course has a specific begin & end date. Courses begin the first day of each semester (unless noted otherwise). However, students can enter the course site 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week.
How
Does Online Learning Work?
Internet courses offered by Emporia State University are hosted by a web-course system called Blackboard. Each course has its own secure Blackboard web site that contains all the content and tools for the course, including course materials, a course calendar, course announcements, as well as assignments and assessments. In Blackboard you can take turns posting and reading messages between students and instructors on the discussion boards, open course specific documents, send completed assignments to your instructor via the digital drop box, and take your tests online.
Student Introduction to Blackboard 7: Getting Started in Blackboard (PDF)
Student Tour of Course Web pages in Blackboard 7 (PDF)
The Big Picture (from Online Learning.Net)
Post Enrollment Information - Includes information on what you need to do before class begins, your responsibilities as an Internet student, and instructions for accessing your course site.
Blackboard (http://elearning.emporia.edu)is the online courseware system adopted by Emporia State University. Students can access all course materials including assignments, lectures and exams from Blackboard. The system also allows students and instructors to interact online via online discussion groups and virtual chats. To learn more about Blackboard, including login instructions and tutorials, please[click here].
What Determines Success in an Online
Course?
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Responsibility
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Commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process
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Motivation to learn independently
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Access to and ability to use appropriate equipment
What Level of Computer Skills Do I Need?
Use
the self-assessment to determine if you
have the necessary skills required. You may wish to enroll in IT343,
Introduction to Microcomputer Applications, or SP370, Using the World
Wide Web if you want to upgrade your computer skills.
What Kind of Computer Equipment Do I Need?
Our online courses requires that you maintain a minimum
level or hardware and software. For a current list of computer requirements,
please [click
here].
Do I Need to Maintain an ESU Email Account?
Yes, all Emporia State University students enrolled in Lifelong Learning distance courses are required to maintain an email account through Emporia State University. Accounts with 10MB storage capacity are automatically created a day or two after a student enrolls. For more details about accessing and maintaining your Stumail account, [click here].
What Internet Courses are Available?
All Internet courses are listed in our online course catalog. Select ALL Courses - By Distance Location/ Delivery Method from the semester drop-down menu. Internet courses are listed second. If you would like to see ONLY Undergraduate Internet courses, select Online Undergraduate Courses from the previous drop-down menu.
- Hutchinson Community College:
wwwcms.hutchcc.edu
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EduKan:
www.edukan.org -
Kansas State Board of Regents Distance Education site:
web.jccc.net/edtech/kbor/schools.asp -
One of the Community Colleges in the Heartland Alliance:
www.emporia.edu/regist/heart/heartlnd.htm -
The Southeast Kansas System:
www.pittstate.edu/system -
University of Kansas Independent Study Program:
www.kuce.org/isc
What
If I Need Help?
Taking an online course can be a challenging experience for students. Not only is the learning environment more isolated than the traditional classroom, but an online course may require more motivation and effort to successfully complete. At Emporia State University, we are committed to providing resources to help make the experience as trouble-free as possible. ESU's Office of Technology and Computing Services (TCS) offers a variety of services to students in regards to technology and computing, assistance with Stumail and Blackboard, as well as providing various online tutorials.
If you need further assistance, you can contact the TCS Help Desk directly at 620-341-5555 (local), 1-877-341-5555 (toll free), or helpdesk@emporia.edu.
Last Updated May 2, 2007