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Frequently Asked
Questions
- Do
students have to sit down at their computers at the same time every day?
- Wouldn't
it be better to have real-time discussion just like in a more traditional
face-to-face classroom?
- Can
you describe how a typical week's instruction is conducted?
- Can I
talk to the instructor or other students in private?
- What
about the lack of physical contact? Doesn't that detract from the
educational process?
- How
does this program differ from correspondence study?
- Does
it matter what type of computer equipment an individual uses?
- How
do you know the students are who they say they are?
-
Do online courses cost more?
- Can
I complete my entire course online or do I have to come to campus for part
of it?
- How
many hours per week do students devote to an online course?
- Do
I have to be an expert in computers to take classes this way?
- What
are the online students like?
- Are
online courses accredited?
- Do
students pay extra for online classes?
-
How do I get started in an online class?
- How
do I get my books or course materials?
- What
is the class setup?
- When
do I schedule my 'class' times?
- How
do I communicate with the instructor?
- How
do I ask questions?
- How
do I get help?
- What
are the benefits of online courses?
- Why
have other students taken online classes?
- How
can I find out more?
1. Do
students have to sit down at their computers at the same time every day?
Not for most
online courses. Some courses have group meetings online. This varies by
course. For some courses you leave your written comments or work for others to
see, and check in at a later time to pick up the responses to those messages.
But you might also have a group meeting of a few students to discuss the work
that was posted. Some courses might have very little interaction online
between the students. These meetings are scheduled as part of the course
but have the same flexibility that is a key part of online courses.
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2. Wouldn't it be better to have real-time discussion just
like in a more traditional face-to-face classroom?
The online program is
designed to take advantage of the technology's strengths, rather than to
replicate a model that works well in a face-to-face traditional classroom
environment. Since students are located across various geographic time zones and
have various work schedules and personal obligations, it would be very
difficult and inconvenient for them to dial into their class at the same time.
When communication is asynchronous, students can participate when and where it
is convenient for them, whether that is 3:00 in the morning, or in a hotel room
while traveling on business.
In addition, there are significant cognitive benefits attributed to a
synchronicity in online education. Because students have an opportunity to take
their time reviewing the class archives (comments, lectures, discussions) and
also take as much time as they need to compose their responses, the material and
concepts are approached at an individual rate. Our students and faculty find
that a level of depth and breadth can be achieved in asynchronous communication,
which is more difficult to achieve with real-time" or "chat-mode"
text-based communication.
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3. Can you describe how a typical week's instruction is
conducted?
Typically the instructor posts
introductory information on the week's topic
in the online classroom, which
includes the assignments, such as reading from the textbook, completing a
case-study, taking
part in an online discussion with other students in the class, or
preparing a paper on the topic you're studying.
The instructor also posts a short lecture or elaborates on the material, and
provides discussion questions related to the topic. Throughout the week you work
on your reading and assignments on your own, just as you would in a traditional
classroom setting. You use the class
discussion board to participate in class discussions
with
others in the class and to
ask questions/receive feedback. When your assignments are due, you send them to
your instructor online, and
she/he grades them and sends them back to you with comments.
Some courses work a little
differently,
but this is a good overview of online courses.
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4. Can I talk to the instructor or other students in private?
Yes, through the instructor’s e-mail, by telephone conversation with the
instructor at the college, or by
visiting them during their office hours.
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5. What about the lack of physical contact? Doesn't that
detract from the educational process?
While the lack of physical contact has its constraints, it does not necessarily
have to detract from the educational process. The most obvious issue is the lack
of visual cues-you can't have eye contact or see a smile or a nod-students and
faculty have to find other ways to compensate for this. They frequently use the
telephone when they need to clarify issues immediately. In addition, study
materials and teaching techniques have been adapted to a visual, rather than an
auditory learning environment, making use of the strengths of the online medium.
In an online class, all students have an equal opportunity to participate in the
discussions, not just the extroverts. Potentially discriminating factors such as
race, handicap, gender and appearance disappear, and your ideas become the major
focus.
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6. How does this program differ from correspondence study?
Correspondence study is generally self-study with individual written
communication between one student and one instructor. The online courses focus
strongly on the interactive, or cooperative methods of education, only
achievable in groups. You participate in group discussion, academic debate, and
social dialogue which eliminates the isolation of traditional
correspondence study and provides a peer group for support. The group-driven
component of the online model of education also contributes to
knowledge-building as students share information and validate their ideas
against the group's reactions.
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7. Does it matter which type of computer equipment an
individual uses?
See the “Technical
Requirements for Online Courses” page for the list of necessary
hardware and software.
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8. How do you know the students are who they say they are?
It sometimes comes as a surprise but the issue is really no different or
problematic than in a traditional academic setting. For example, how does an
instructor know that the student sitting in his/her class is the same student
who registered for the course? How do faculty verify that students actually
complete their own homework? These questions apply to all forms of educational
delivery, and they must be taken seriously.
As in traditional programs, there are checks and balances to discourage
fraudulent practices. These begin with the application process whereby social
security numbers, addresses, phone numbers, birth dates, places of employment,
and previous college transcripts are all verified against the other. Small
classes foster closer communication between faculty and students, and enable
faculty to differentiate
and recognize their students' written styles and personalities.
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9. Do online courses cost more?
No. In fact they often cost
less because the student does not have to drive to campus, pay for parking, or
adjust his or her working schedule. To get a better sense of this,
consider using the
Distance Learning Calculator.
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10. Can I complete my entire course online, or do I have to
come to campus for part of it?
Some courses have required
on-campus meetings. These are listed in the course
schedule.
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11. How many hours per week do students devote to an online
course?
Students generally spend the same amount of time as on a face-to-face course
(i.e., a 3-unit course has 3 hours of class time plus 3-6 hours of homework).
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12. Do I have to be an expert in computers to take classes
this way?
No. You should,
however, know how to use your computer; how to save and retrieve files; how to
use the simple functions of your word
processor; and how to download to or update your computer with the common
programs mentioned within the Tips for Success page. You should be able to type fairly
quickly (minimum 25 wpm). You should be comfortable with browsing the Internet
and using e-mail.
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13. What are the online students like?
Online students are typically the same students seen on any college campus.
Students prefer online education for a variety of reasons including the
technology itself, elimination of scheduling and transportation problems,
disabilities. They are generally self-motivated and do not require traditional
face-to-face contact with the instructor.
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14. Are online courses accredited?
Yes. The online courses have the same accreditation status as traditional
courses.
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15. Do students pay extra for online classes?
No, they pay the same per
credit fee which DVC charges all
students.
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16. How do
I get started in an online course?
- Register
for the online course as you would for any other course on campus.
- Go to http://www.dvc.edu/online
to access your online classroom on or before the first day of the semester.
- Review the Tips for Success
page, linked on the left menu.
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17.
How do I get my books or course materials?
This will depend on the
course. All books and materials will be available in the college bookstore,
and you may purchase your books online at http://www.bookcenter.dvc.edu.
Check with your instructor, the books may be available through an online source.
Check out the links section of the technical support page.
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18.
What is the class setup?
Taking an online class is
self-directed study, making it different from
the traditional classroom. It takes motivation to be an online student. Without
a teacher looking over your shoulder students
have to guide their own study, find the answers they need to get past a
problem, and keep up with the class timetable.
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19. When do I schedule my 'class' times?
This will be determined by
your instructor's syllabus and calendar. Some classes may have a weekly schedule, but the work can be completed at
any time during that week. It will work best for you to set up at
least two time spots a week to log
on to your online classroom to take part in activities. Each time spot
should be one and a half to two hours for the 'class time'. Another two to three
hours each week should be spent on homework.
In a traditional classroom for
a three-unit class, you would spend three hours a week in class, and
spend three-to-six additional hours in study. The best part of an online class is that these hours are flexible.
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20. How do I communicate with the instructor?
Studies have shown there
to be more personal interaction between a student and his/her instructor in
online classes than in traditional classes. This communication usually
takes the form of discussion
board postings, e-mail messages, or sessions in a chat room. E-mail
involves a delay sometimes, since the instructor might only check
messages once that day. Other forms of communication are sometimes needed with
the instructor. The course syllabus will list phone numbers, addresses, etc. Remember,
too, that you will also be communicating with other students in the class on a
regular basis.
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21. How do I ask questions?
If you have a question in
a traditional classroom, you would raise your hand and ask it. If the instructor
does not understand it, or needs more information from you, he
or she would ask for it. Online, you do not have the immediate feedback.
You must ask questions of the instructor that they can answer. "I tried it,
but it did not work, what now?" is not enough. It does not get you the
answer, and makes it frustrating for the instructor. If you say "I tapped
the Alt-F7 keys, and it said 'not ready reading drive A', what now?", your
instructor can get you past the bump in the road, because they have the
information needed. The
majority of the time you should send questions to your instructor via e-mail, or
post your message to the class discussion board. Sometimes
the best way to ask a question is to telephone
the instructor or visit during office hours.
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22. How do I get help?
The different format of
this class requires different techniques for getting help from the instructor.
In this course, you must not allow yourself to become bogged down at any spot.
Getting stuck can be frustrating, but should not stop you.
Following are some ways to
receive help, so you can continue your learning.
- Studies have also shown more interaction between
individual online students than in a traditional class. Work in groups, but
if you are alone, ask questions of your fellow online students in the form
of messages posted
to the class discussion board.
- Read all the class messages. Everyone has the same
types of questions and problems.
- Call the instructor by telephone!
Call the office or visit during office hours. Sometimes
a problem needs a voice answer. Do not hesitate to call. Phone
calls are a good way to maintain rapport between teacher and student,
especially when questions are complex enough to require intensive back and
forth exchange.
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23. What are the benefits to taking online classes?
- You get the best of two class types:
the convenience of working at home along with the frequent
communication of a classroom instructor.
- Some students need to study from home because travel
costs or
personal and professional obligations prohibit getting to a regular
classroom class. Health
problems or disabilities may also limit a student's ability to attend class
on campus. Online classes may be the only delivery system available
to these students.
- If you have a busy schedule,
online classes give you more options. Students may work
variable shifts, participate in academic and athletic organizations or travel
while completing school. Meeting during
a regularly scheduled class time may be impossible.
- The availability of computers and modems in households
means more people have the technical capability.
- Students receive a taste of college class work without
having to actually attend class. It can 'hook' some students into taking
other computer classes. This creates a wider available student base for your
local college.
- While
learning the course subject matter, online students also develop important
communication and technology skills, which are highly sought after in
today's competitive work environment.
-
Online courses are often less
expensive than on-campus classes because of transportation and energy costs,
lost working or professional opportunities, or childcare requirements.
Consider using the
Distance Learning Calculator to explore this type of cost
savings.
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24. Why have other students taken online classes?
"Easy to fit into my schedule."
"I work 8 to 5 and live 20 miles away."
"Wanted to play sports
and work while going to school...this way I can do it all"
"Too tired to come to school at 9am"
"I just had a baby 2
weeks prior to the class and also
have a two-year-old. I would not be able to go to school for these
classes."
"Distance to the college - convenience of ability to work anytime day or
night."
"Cheaper because I
don't need to drive, pay for parking, or eat on campus."
"Scheduling."
"I was drawn to this class because of having to spend so much time in the
lab. I like being home."
"I could take the class while on my
lunch break at work."
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25.
How can I find out more?
If you have questions
regarding a specific course that are not answered in the course description or
on the course web site you should e-mail the instructor directly.
Instructors' e-mail addresses are listed on the
Faculty Home
Pages and the course websites are available off of the
Online webpage. If you have questions regarding
admission or registering check out the admissions
and records web site or e-mail your
question to them.
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