Copy of faq onlinestudents modified for w40 sp 2012.pptx

*Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ’s * for Online Students

WELCOME TO ESLW40 FAQ’s = “Frequently Asked Questions”In this power point, we will try to answer some common questions students have about doing an online class. By the time you get to ESL310, some reading and writing classes are taught online. This is just a short introduction. For this class, you will have a class web page. We will also practice doing a short quiz online and a discussion board topic. Let’s get started!

Research shows that most successful Online students are:

● Self-motivated and self-starters ● Have good organizational skills 

● Have good time-management skills 

● Are familiar with computers and the Internet

● Are resourceful and actively seek

answers and solutions to questions and problems.

Do You Know Online Etiquette?

● Identify yourself by name in each email or postings.

 ● Be supportive and constructive in

your comments to each other. ● Everyone will benefit from a

positive online learning environment.

 ● Read information on Online

Etiquette (use the back button to come back and finish the presentation).

Be sure to get the following course information for your instructor:

● Course objectives ● Course expectations ● Assignments

● How to submit assignments● How to label files

● How to address your e-mails to

the instructor ● Grading Policies ● Other course issues

You must not: 

● Take others’ thoughts or words without appropriate acknowledgment.

● Submit work that has been written or revised in part or in whole by another person.

● Submit work that you have submitted for another class. 

Academic Honesty:It is a violation of college policy to plagiarize or to recycle work.

● Most online classes are NOT self-paced. ● Usually homework, other activities, and

online class participation must be completed by deadline.

 ● Many Instructors set the deadline for

midnight on Saturday to assist those who work Monday-Friday.

 ● Use a calendar for deadlines. ● Set aside time each week to login.

Answer: NO

Question: Is an online class the same as a self-paced class?

Answer: That it is up to you.

Question: How much time do I have to spend online?

● You should plan to spend at least the same amount of time you would spend on a face-to-face class.

● For a one unit class - you'll spend a

minimum of one hour a week looking at some of the class resources, checking on assignments, contributing to discussions, and posting homework.

● You’ll probably spend another 3 hours

on reading, practice activities and homework.

Question: Do you have to log on at any particular time?

Answer: Usually not

● You will have deadlines by which to submit your homework, but WHEN you complete that work is usually up to you.

 ● Your instructor MAY require chat sessions

or other real time activities. 

● It’s important NOT to leave it to the last minute to do your work or to submit it.

● If you have trouble connecting to your

ISP or the course website, then your assignments will be late.

Question: Where do we meet for class?

● Other than the orientation meeting, most online courses don't really "meet" in a physical face to face sense.

● We'll interact regularly through the

Internet.

 ● We'll be using some software called

Desire2Learn and using the Los Rios eLearning web server.  

● Course materials are available on the

course web pages, the bulletin boards, announcements and email.

Answer: Online, not in a classroom.

Answer: In many ways.

Question: How will we communicate?

● We'll communicate with each other using web-based bulletin boards, chat rooms and email.

 ● The instructor is available to you through

email, voicemail and virtual office hours. ● On-campus office hours are also available

by appointment. 

● These same tools will be used for student-to-student communication also.

Answer: No

Question: Is taking an online class easier than a “regular” class?

● Some students think an online class is even more demanding than a face-to-face class.

 ● You have to stay motivated and stay

on top of your work for the class.  ● The workload in an online class is

usually identical to an on-site class on the same topic.

Answer: No 

Question: Do I have to have a computer at home?

● Access to a computer at home makes it easier, but you do NOT have to own a computer for an online class.

 ● Students can access computers on the

campus in several locations (the Learning Resource Center, and the Business Computer lab, for example) or at other district colleges.

● Some students complete online classes

from work (with permission from their employer, of course). 

Answer:

Question: What Internet skills would be helpful in an online class?

● Know how to use a web browser. ● Know how to use an email program.● Know how to make and organize bookmarks in your

browser software. ● Some familiarity with web-based interactions

bulletin boards, chat and mailing lists will also be useful.

● Some familiarity with word processing. ● Experience in successful Internet searches using a

variety of search engines.

Answer:

Question: What is expected of students?

● As in a regular face-to-face class, your instructor expects that you will adhere to standards of:

● Courtesy● Professionalism● Academic honesty

● Participate with appropriate consideration for each other and for the instructor.

● Your emails and web postings should:● On the topic at hand● Be appropriate● Should reflect a professional demeanor  

Getting Started Online ● Another section of the orientation will demonstrate some of the

online tools that we’ll use for the course. 

● You can read the written instructions or watch the video demonstrations.

 ● Online links

● Try our FREE sample class● http://d2lresources.losrios.edu/free_sample_class.htm

● Overview of Desire2Learn at Los Rios eLearning● http://d2lresources.losrios.edu/index.htm

● Login to Desire2Learn at Los Rios eLearning● https://d2l.losrios.edu/

Contact your instructor if you have any other questions.