This document provides answers to frequently asked questions about online courses. It addresses questions about the structure of online classes, time commitment expectations, communication tools, computer and internet requirements, academic honesty, and etiquette. Key points include: online classes are not self-paced and have deadlines; the time commitment is similar to face-to-face classes; communication occurs through online tools like email and discussion boards; students do not need their own computer but do need internet access; and academic honesty and etiquette are still required.

1. Answers to Frequently Asked
Questions about Online Courses

2. Accounting 301
Professor:
Anne Diamond
Class Advisory:
ACCT 101
Virtual Office Hours:
Monday @ 2 p.m.
Wednesday @ 7 p.m.
Friday @ 9 a.m.
2

3. Question:
Is an online class the same as a self-paced class?
Answer: NO
• Most online classes are NOT self-paced.
• Usually homework, other activities, and online class
participation must be completed by deadlines.
• 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.

4. 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.
Answer: That is up to you

5. Question:
Do I have to log on at a particular time?
• 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.
Answer: Usually NOT.

6. 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.

7. 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: In many ways.

8. Question:
Is taking a class online 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.

9. 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.

10. 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: NO

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

12. Question:
What Is Expected from Students
Answer:
• As in a regular face-to-face class, your instructor expects that you
will adhere to standards of:
– courtesy,
– professionalism, and
– academic honesty.
• Participate with appropriate consideration for each other and for
the instructor.
• Your e-mails and web postings should:
– be on the topic at hand,
– be appropriate and
– should reflect a professional demeanor.

13. Do You Know Online Etiquette?
• Identify yourself by name in each email or
posting.
• Be supportive and constructive in your
comments to each other.
• Help and support 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.)

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

15. Be sure to get the following Course Information
from your instructor:
• Course Objectives
• Course Expectations
• Assignments
– How to submit assignments
– How to label files
• How to address your emails to the
instructor
• Grading Policies
• Other course issues

16. Video Clips and Animations
• 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.
• Link to an Orientation on:
Using Los Rios eLearning Desire2Learn
• Other tools for
Getting Started.

18. Login to Los Rios eLearning
by clicking on the link below.