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Q: What makes
online courses different from traditional classroom courses?
A:
Online courses do not meet like classroom
courses. Students do not have to be in a classroom every Monday, Wednesday and
Friday at a specified time although, students will be expected to check the
course web site on a regular basis and may have specific topics of discussion to
respond to within a particular time frame. Generally, the discussion area is
included as a grade, similar to participation in classroom discussion in a
traditional class.
Although most web classes do not meet physically, Odessa College online courses
incorporate a certain level of interaction among students and instructor.
Depending upon the course, the level of interaction may be as high as that of
traditional classroom courses or, in many cases even higher.
Many of the online courses follow due dates,
but some may choose to follow a self-paced format. Be sure you fully read
the information given by the instructor that states the format for her/his
course.
Q: What is the difference between "online" courses
and "web-enhanced" courses?
A: An
online course is taught exclusively over the
World Wide Web with little or no personal contact with the instructor and
classmates. Students enrolled in an online course may live only a few miles or
hundreds of miles from the campus, and some may live on campus. Assignments
and homework are accessed, received, and submitted through the course web site
utilizing e-mail or other file transfer software. E-mail and attachments are the
most commonly used.
Web-enhanced
courses are traditional classroom courses whose content is
supplemented by a Web site designed by and for the instructor. The instructor
places additional information, assignments and special links for students in his
or her class to access. The Web enhancement courses are designed for the use by
students who are local and enrolled in a traditional campus classroom course. Not all classroom courses have Web enhancements.
Q:
How do Odessa College's online courses work?
A:
You must have access to the Internet and a
computer (for more specific equipment requirements, see Hardware & Software Minimal Requirements).
If you
are reading this on your computer, you probably already have the basic hardware
and software required! You will access your class via your Web browser during
times that are convenient for you. Some classes are self-paced. For those that are not self-paced, there are definite beginning and ending
times as well as specific dates that assignments and tests are due. The courses are,
however, designed to be taken asynchronously -- at your convenience. You can
access your class at 9:00 am, 9:00 PM, or 1:00 am! You will do your reading and
coursework offline, take tests on and offline, and interact with your instructor
and classmates via e-mail, and discussion groups. You may always contact your
instructor by telephone and regular mail.
Q: What type of
computer equipment will I need?
A:
If you are reading this on your computer at
home, then you probably already have the basic equipment necessary to access an
online course.
If you are not at home
and you plan to access your course(s) from home, you
will need at least a 14.4 kbps modem (28.8 kbps, or higher, is recommended).
Some courses contain multimedia components like sound or video clips or, include
CD ROM supplements with the textbook. For these courses you may need a sound
card with speakers and a special application that will allow you to view the
required material. You might be required to download specific plug-ins in
order to view the instructor's work. Remember to visit the Hardware and Software
Minimal Requirements page.
Plan on using or Microsoft Internet
Explorer 5.x. as it supports secure online testing as required by QuestionMark
test format. This Web browser can be obtained free through Microsoft:
Microsoft Internet
Explorer - http://microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm
Q: Can I use AOL to access my
course?
A: America Online
(AOL) users occasionally have difficulties in accessing web courses. If you are
an AOL user, experience difficulties with the
AOL browser or, are unable to access the course and you feel it is a result of
the AOL site, you will need to check with them to determine your options.
Additionally, the AOL browser is not fully compatible with
JavaScript. The
Odessa College main web page and several of the courses utilize JavaScript. You
can obtain an AOL version of Netscape Navigator from AOL.
Q: Do I need to be an expert on
the computer?
A: No. If you can send e-mail and attach files to e-mails, and if you
can access the Internet, you should have no problem. One bit of
advice--when you
save your work and you know that you and the instructor are using the same
program (i.e. word) you can save your work as a doc. and the instructor will receive it as
such. If you are using a different software (i.e. WordPerfect, Claris, MSWorks)
you will need to save your work as a TXT (Text Format) or RTF (Rich Text Format)
in order for the instructor to view your work. The TXT or RTF allows viewing
across all platforms and programs.
Each course is designed to lead you through
the logical steps to completion. For courses using a discussion group, you will
receive instructions from the professor on how to access the site where course
discussion groups are hosted. Look for detailed information in the course syllabus.
Q: How can I enroll in an
Odessa College online course?
A: If you are not currently enrolled at Odessa
College, you may request an information packet and enrollment forms from the
Admissions Office. Once you have been accepted, you must register in person at
the Odessa College campus. If you live a distance from the Odessa College
campus, please contact the Admissions office at 915/335-5443 for information that will help you enroll. For
information on courses and the semester they are offered, visit this link.
Q: Do I have to access my class
at the same time everyday?
A: No, but you will have to access your class
several times a week at hours that are convenient to you. It depends on the
course, but most students find that they need to access the class between 5 and
7 times per week in order to keep up with class discussions, topic questions and
assignments. As with any course, you need to watch your schedule and time
requirements of the course. It is easy to lag behind if you are not motivated
and stay on top of a web course.
Q: How do I receive
my course materials, like syllabi?
A: Your syllabus, lecture material, assignments,
and exams will be set up as Web pages, and accessed via your web browser.
Textbooks and other required and recommended books or materials will be
available through the Odessa College Bookstore.
Q: Where can I purchase my textbooks?
A:
Most courses do require that you use the
required textbook for reading assignments, etc. Textbooks and other required and
recommended books will be available through the Odessa College
Bookstore. Please call
915-335-6655 or email books@odessa.edu
for information on obtaining books.
Q: How do I submit my
homework to the instructor?
A:
Written assignments are usually submitted via
e-mail. However, e-mail will not retain formatting of the original file. This
can be a serious problem when you are expected to present your written materials
in a particular file format or style. One way around
this is to submit your assignment as an ATTACHMENT to an e-mail
message. If your instructor has the same word processing software
as you, then he or she will see your assignment exactly as you wrote it. If
your program is not the same--then the choice is to save your assignment as a TXT
(Text Format) or RTF (Rich Text Format) document. With text format, you will
lose all special formatting, but retain paragraphs. These formats allow reading
of files across programs and platforms.
To send a
file as an attachment: On your computer you will type your
paper or assignment as usual---if you are using the same program as your
instructor--save it with the name you give it--if using a different
program---save it as an RTF extension, then go to your email account. Select
new message and type in your instructor's email address and give him a brief
note that you have finished the assignment or paper and have attached it. Sign
your name. Then select attach file, locate where you saved the file, select it
and it automatically goes in your email. Send. If
you have a problem in attaching your assignment, contact the
instructor ASAP and let her/him know. You will be given the opportunity to
fax, snail mail (post office), or hand deliver your assignment to the instructor
on campus. The mode of communication and delivery of assignments
will primarily be through the Discussion Group and email attachments, but
in the real world of technology...sometimes Murphy's Law rules--you will not be
penalized if you contact the instructor and if you follow the guidelines of due
dates. Having technical difficulty does mean you have additional days to
deliver your work (especially if you were delinquent in preparing your
work)---but it does mean that you have alternative methods of turning in your
work, if necessary.
Q: How are grades determined?
A:
Each course is different. Please refer to the
syllabus of the course you are interested in taking to find out how the
professor will grade.
Q: What resources
are available to students at Odessa College?
A:
Please visit the Odessa College homepage for
links to information on financial aid, student services, testing, career
services and the Learning Resource Center (library). | 
