How to Take Online Courses
Are You Ready?
Successful online students will need to be self-motivated, thorough, and organized. They will be capable of using a computer and will perform multiple tasks such as:
- Manage files and folders.
- Use web browsers to navigate the Internet.
- Use Microsoft Word
- Send and check web-based email (Gmail)
- Save and delete files in different formats.
- Copy, cut, and paste text and other content.
- Research information on the web via search engine.
Expectations
Students will need continuous personal access to a computer with a high-speed Internet connection. The current version of Chrome, Firefox, Google, or Safari should be on the computer that is being used for online studies. (Students are responsible for meeting and maintaining the technology requirements).
Students are expected to have basic computer skills and are responsible for their own work online. This includes maintaining their assignments, saving any work in progress to locations such as a flash drive or the cloud. All submissions must be original work completed by the student. Students must not upload any copyright or illegal files to Canvas. Students should understand their written work might require submission via Turnitin, which is an application that checks for plagiarism and originality.
Students should not share their username and password. Students should understand that their activity within Canvas is timestamped automatically and may be reviewed by instructors or administrators to investigate behavior violations or to resolve technology system performance problems.
Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately in all interactions within their online courses. Inappropriate comments will not be tolerated, and such behavior may result in removal from the course or further disciplinary action.
How Do Online Classes Work?
Students and instructors use the Canvas learning management system as a virtual, asynchronous classroom space that allows students to participate by watching videos, review slides, participate in discussions, submit assignments, and take quizzes. Online courses are equivalent to face-to-face in terms of content, degree of difficulty, and transferability. Students may be required to take specific exams on campus in a proctored environment, but the vast majority of the work can be completed through the Canvas platform.
While online courses are more convenient to a students’ schedule, that does not mean they are easier. Online courses require work, discipline, and self-motivation to keep up with the assignments
Common Questions
Every online and hybrid course at Jefferson College has an instructor assigned to it, and federal
guidelines require that regular, substantive interaction between students and the instructor
takes place throughout the course. Each instructor curates the information shared with
students, serving as a guide as students encounter the course content. Students will need to set aside sufficient time each week to engage with the course materials, submit assignments, ask questions, and review comments left by the instructor.
Online courses are not the same as correspondence courses. For students to complete an
online course successfully, they must participate substantively in course activities and while
meeting specific requirements and due dates. This means logging in to the course at specified
times per week and submitting evidence of their progress such as, (discussion boards, quiz, or
other assignment requirements). Lack of or delay of in weekly participation will impact student
grades and may lead to loss of financial aid. It is important to pay attention to due dates.
Online and hybrid courses at Jefferson College use the Canvas learning management system.
Mobile apps exist for Canvas; however, they can experience technology glitches, and as such, it
is recommended that the student should use a laptop or desktop when completing important
tests or submitting assignments. If the student uses a mobile device to conduct all of their
activities in their online course, it is strongly recommended that they use a laptop or desktop computer to verify their assignments properly uploaded. Expensive equipment is required to complete online coursework.
Often a laptop or desktop computer connected to the Internet is all that is needed. Many online and hybrid courses use video, so sufficient bandwidth and a high-speed Internet connection are strongly recommended. Jefferson College does allow students to check out a laptop for their use free of charge. All that is required is your Jefferson College Student ID.
