This document provides frequently asked questions (FAQ) about online courses. It addresses questions about time commitment, course structure, communication tools, and expectations. Key points include: - Online courses require the same time commitment as face-to-face courses, with deadlines to submit assignments each week. - Courses are not self-paced and require regular participation through discussion boards, email, and other online tools. - While computer and internet access is necessary, students do not need to own their own computer to take online courses. Campus computer labs are available.

1. *Frequently Asked Questions

3. 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.

4. 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).

5. 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

6. 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. It is a violation of college policy to plagiarize or to recycle work.

7. Answer: NO 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.

8. Answer: That it is up to you. 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 .

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. Answer: In many ways. 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.

12. Answer: No 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.

13. Answer: No 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).

14. Answer: 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.

15. Answer: 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

16. Online links GCCCD Online Tutorials http://www.gcccd.net/online/tutorials/tutorials.htm GCCCD Online Orientation http://www.gcccd.net/online/orientation.htm Login to Blackboard at GCCCD http://bb.gcccd.edu