A
Few Words of Advice
Ohio University
Online classes offer flexibility and convenience, but many of them
are quite demanding and are not the best option for all students.
Taking a web-based
course means more than just using a word processor. Online learning
creates a different environment than you may be used to in the traditional
classroom, and it requires you the student to change your role in
the learning process and become more of an active learner. You must
take responsibility for your own learning and self-discipline and
self-motivation become very important.
You also need
a solid set of computer skills for optimal success. The skills needed
include knowing how to operate your word processor and perform tasks
such as being able to cut and paste, save your files in several
different formats, and save your files to a variety of locations.
You should be able to download and install software and have a general
idea of how to configure software on your machine if necessary.
Your internet skills should include knowing how to log in, use e-mail
and e-mail attachments, use your browser effectively, make bookmarks,
chat, and use search functions.
Time management
and organizational skills are also very important. In an online
environment, you must be resourceful and able to work independently.
Most online students report that allocating a specific block of
time for research or writing is very important. Manage your time
well and DO NOT wait until the last minute to turn in your assignments.
Goals:
Keys to Success
One important factor
in successfully completing an online course is setting and completing
goals. You have already experienced having teachers set goals for
you in previous years of schooling. Now, you have the opportunity
to set your own goals.
Below are steps
which will help you set and keep goals for any Ohio University Online
courses you take.
- Determine
goals for course-related tasks.
- Set deadlines
for each goal. You may wish to share your deadlines with someone
who will encourage you to meet them.
- Specifically
schedule time in which to work on a course. Possible examples
are listed below:
- Set aside
10 hours a week to work on my course.
- Work on
my course for 3 hours each Tuesday and Saturday.
- Spend my
lunch hour each day reading a chapter from the textbook.
- Follow through
on completing goals. You could set up a checklist to check off
each goal as it is finished.
For
the best Ohio University Online experience, we recommend that students:
- register
for only one or two online classes
- consider
whether you are self-motivated and enjoy working independently
- jump
into the work and not procrastinate so that you won't fall behind
schedule
- notify
the instructor and or the online staff immediately if you have
technical difficulties or other problems which hamper your progress
in the course.
Online
Rules of the Road
Students work more
independently in online courses than in traditional courses. Each
course however is still a learning community in which the instructor
plays a somewhat different, yet very important role. However, some
things don't change: the practices of courtesy and respect that apply
in the ordinary classroom also apply online, and require even more
attention. Here are some guidelines:
- Participate.
In the online environment, it's not enough to show up! We need
to hear your voice to feel your presence, and we especially need
your comments to add to the information, the shared learning,
and the sense of community in each class.
- Be persistent.
Remember that we're all working in a fairly new environment. If
you run into any difficulties, don't wait! Send a note immediately
to the instructor of the course listed on the syllabus and to
the Ohio University Online staff. Most problems are easily solved,
but we have to hear from you before we can help.
- Share
tips, suggestions, and questions. Taking online courses is
a new frontier. There are no dumb questions, and even if you think
your solution is obvious, please share it! Someone in the course
will thank you for it.
- Think
before you send a message. Did you say just what you meant? How
will the person on the other end read the words? Please read over
what you've written before you send it.
- Remember
that we can't see the grin on your face when you make a sarcastic
comment, we can't see the concern on your face if you only say
a couple of words, and we can't read your mind and fill in the
gaps if you abbreviate your comments. Please explain what you
mean.
- Remember
there's a person on the other side. Ask for feedback if you're
not sure how your ideas and comments will be taken. If you disagree
with what someone has said, please express your opinion's respectfully
to professors and to students. Ranting at someone else is unacceptable;
it's the equivalent of having a tantrum, something most of us
wouldn't do in a face to face situation.
- Inappropriate
or derogatory comments are unacceptable and subject to the
same disciplinary action that they would receive if they occur
in the physical classroom.
- Plagiarism
and cheating are serious actions in a learning community and
are subject to the disciplinary policies outlined in the Ohio
University Undergraduate Catalog.
Most
Commonly Asked Questions
- Can
anyone take an online course? Our online courses are
open to anyone. Individual courses sometimes have specific enrollment
requirments or prerequisites, but those will be indicated in the
course descriptions.
- Where
do classes take place? Ohio University Online courses
take place wherever your computer is: at home, at work, on the
road -- anywhere you can connect to the Internet. No campus visits
are required except in some cases to take a proctored exam at
a location convenient to you.
- When
does my class meet? Technically, there are no class times.
Online courses are conducted "asynchronously," which means individuals
"take turns" sending messages back and forth between students
and instructors. Most instructors require frequent participation
online.
- Do
Ohio University Online Courses have instructors? Yes,
just like a traditional course, your online course has an instructor
who will communicate directly with you regularly.
- Will
millions of other people be taking my class at the same time as
me? No, enrollment in each online class is limited. Most
classes are no larger than 20 students, allowing for one-on-one
attention from your instructor.
- Will
I be able to communicate with the instructor or other students?
A lot of people mistakenly assume that they'll feel isolated in
an online course. To their surprise, most find that online courses
actually provide a high degree of personal contact with faculty
and students.
- What
kind of computer or other hardware do I need? Most any
newer PC or Macintosh computer will be just fine. You'll also
need a modem and a connection to the Internet. Check out the specific
technical and hardware requirements
here.
- How
much time do I get to complete a course? Each course
has a start date and an end date and most run for 10 weeks. The
schedule of coursework, assignments and due dates are determined
by each instructor and are listed on each syllabus.
- What
if I start a class and decide it's just not for me? Students
have access to the course website for which they've registered
one week before the official "start" of class. This should help
you decide if the course isn't for you and you need to drop it.
If you have
questions or concerns about Ohio University Online, please let us
know. We're here to help with office hours from 8am-5pm, Monday-Friday.
E-mail OU.Online@ohio.edu,
phone 1-888-551-6446 or (740) 593-2583, fax (740) 593-2901, or stop
by 205 Haning Hall.
Ohio
University Online Quotations From Former Students
- The instructor
was helpful & understanding. My questions were answered quickly
and fully. Very helpful.
- I enjoyed
the freedom to study and work when you had the time and desire.
- I loved not
having to go to class at 8:00 in the morning!
- I was able
to work at my pace in the comfort of my home. It was a great opportunity
and I will check for future offerings.
- I thought
it was wonderful that I could do the work at home and zap it through
cyberspace. I could even communicate with the professor while
doing my homework, through e-mail. Although it was a lot to take
on, I am glad that I completed an online course, and I would recommend
the online courses to a friend. I would even take another myself.
- I was able
to do the work at my own pace. I did not feel rushed. I also liked
that we were given choices about the days we wanted to take our
test. It took the pressure off.
|
Course
Information