Online Learning
Am I ready to take online classes?
Am I comfortable on the computer and on the Internet?
To be successful in an online learning environment you should be comfortable working online. You will need to have a computer and a high speed internet connection.
Do I have time to commit to an online course?
What makes online courses so attractive is their flexibility — you can do the work on your lunch break or while laying in a hammock in the backyard — but they do require a substantial time commitment.
Am I a good manager of my time?
That oh-so-appealing flexibility also makes it easy to procrastinate. Just like in a traditional course, doing well in an online class requires the discipline to stay on top of the work. You will be provided with a schedule in every syllabus. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate asking your professor.
Am I a self-motivated student?
With online courses, you'll have an instructor to guide you, but with asychronous courses you won't have regular lectures to tell you everything you need to know. MGA Department of IT courses are not accelerated or go at your own pace. You will have weekly responsibilities just as you would in a traditional classroom.
Still not sure?
One common piece of advice is to start by taking a short elective. This will introduce you to online learning but without requiring a major commitment of time and energy. See how you like it, and if it works for you, then dive in!
Be open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.
Introverts as well as extroverts find that the online process requires them to utilize their experiences. This forum for communication eliminates the visual barriers that hinder some individuals in expressing themselves. In addition, the student is given time to reflect on the information before responding. The online environment should be open and friendly. Group work is very possible using online collaboration, be open to working with a diverse group.
Be able to communicate through writing.
In the Virtual Classroom, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that students feel comfortable in expressing themselves in writing. Many students have limited writing abilities, which should be addressed before or as part of the online experience. This may require remedial efforts on the part of the student.
Be Self-motivated and self-disciplined.
With the freedom and flexibility of the online environment comes responsibility. The online process takes a real commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process.
Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether students are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible in the online paradigm. If a student is experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), he or she must communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong.
Be able to meet the minimum requirements for the program.
The requirements for online are no less than that of any other quality educational program. The successful student will view online as a convenient way to receive their education – not an easier way.
Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
The learning process requires the student to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. Assimilating information and executing the right decisions requires critical thought; case analysis does this very effectively.
Have practically unlimited access to a computer and Internet Service.
The course content and interaction are engaged by computer through the Internet. Some content and activities may be accessible by "dial-up" or mobile services but most online learning will be best accomplished with broadband service. The student must have access to the necessary equipment.
Be able to think ideas through before responding.
Meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of the learning process. Time is given in the process to allow for the careful consideration of responses. The testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged; you will not always be right, just be prepared to accept a challenge.
Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.
If the student feels that a traditional classroom is a prerequisite to learning, they may be more comfortable in the traditional classroom. Online is not for everybody. A student that wants to be on a traditional campus attending a traditional classroom is probably not going to be happy online. While the level of social interaction can be very high in the virtual classroom given that many barriers come down in the online format, it is not the same as living in a dorm on a campus. This should be made known. An online student is expected to:
- Participate in the virtual classroom 2-7 days per week
- Be able to work with others in completing projects
- Be able to use the technology properly
- Be able to meet the minimum standards as set forth by the institution
- Be able to complete assignments on time
- Enjoy communicating in writing.
Sources: University of Illinois Online Network and Lewis and Clark College
What is an asynchronous online class?
Asynchronous classes allow students to take online courses according to their own schedule. There are no designated meeting times. Asynchronous does not mean self-paced; students will be presented with learning activities that are to be completed within a specified time frame. Course materials can be accessed at any time via Brightspace/D2L. Students will need to enter the online course at least twice per week.
Online Course Expectations, and Guidelines for Students
EXPECTATIONS
- Online courses are not self-paced and regular participation in online courses is required and will be recorded by your instructor. Students are expected to complete all course assessments using MGA D2L.
- Online learning assumes a high level of maturity and professionalism. It is designed to make learning more convenient but no less rigorous. The lack of a formal meeting schedule in an online course can be liberating. It can also be demanding because you must determine when to make time for class. Self-discipline and good time management skills are necessary when taking an online course.
- Please remember that you will spend as much or more time completing an online course as you would taking it in a traditional face-to-face/classroom format. The special circumstances of taking an online course demand regular and consistent participation. Be sure to pace yourself throughout the semester making sure your responses to communications and assignments are timely. If you are not able to participate in any assigned class activities, you must contact your instructor immediately.
- The instructor is required to report “no-shows” or students who do not show up the first day of class. Therefore, all students enrolled in the course must verify their enrollment. This can affect financial aid and you may be dropped from the class. Your instructor will notify you as to how to verify your enrollment before the beginning of the term to ensure that you are not reported as a “no-show”.
ONLINE COURSE EXPECTATIONS
- Students are required to have access to a computer and the Internet.
- All course materials (i.e. course syllabus, course content, the assignments and the schedule of activities, etc.) are posted in MGA D2L course/class web site.
- MGA email and/or MGA D2L are used only for communication between the instructor and students. The instructor will endeavor to reply to your email queries within 12 hours and no more than 24 hours of their receipt, excluding weekends and holidays or during semester breaks. Private email accounts must not be used to communicate between the instructor and students.
- Students must immediately review the tentative course schedule (included as part of the syllabus) for the schedule of discussion activities, assignments, projects, and/or examinations.
- Students must attend class if they are to be well prepared for the workplace. Online courses are no different from on-campus classroom courses in this regard. Therefore, online students are subject to the college’s attendance policy. Please see the “Attendance Policy” in the college’s catalog. For online classes, participation must be defined in a different manner. Student attendance in online courses is defined as active participation in the course as described in the course syllabus.
- Online courses will, at a minimum, have weekly mechanisms for student participation, which can be documented using any or all of the following methods:
- a graded discussion activity that is integral to student engagement and learning;
- a graded assignment/project/examination.
- Your instructor will begin grading all assessments after the deadline and make the results available to you within one week after the due date for the assessment.
ONLINE DISCUSSIONS AND POSTINGS
Expectations for Achieving Responsible Online Discourse
One value we must share is respect for individuals - their experience and their ideas or social positions. We also share a genuine desire to learn from one another. In order to demonstrate these shared values, you are encouraged to consider how your tone, word choice, and content may affect other readers. Some ways people achieve responsible public electronic discourse include
- calling each other by name on the screen
- using smiley faces =) to clarify meaning if a writer's tone might be ambiguous
- clarifying with someone courteously before "flaming" back a quick response, and refraining from publishing or forwarding any questionable jokes or strong language that could offend various readers.
Guidelines for Online Discussions
- Not only respond to your instructor’s questions, but carry on a dialogue with your classmates as well. This is a discussion, not just a question and answer session, and is one of the items that make a good online course and establishes community. If you only respond to your instructor’s question it makes the discussion more of an "exam" rather than a dialogue.
- Do not get caught up in "winning" the debate. We are here to learn the material, have fun, and to discuss matters of importance with others.
- Read all postings from your classmates, not just those from the instructor. Sometimes future questions are based on the insights of your classmates.
- When you reply to a post, don't just say "I agree". Give the person or person's name you are agreeing with and be sure to put the reply in the right thread. Also include a brief sentence or two summarizing what they said that you are agreeing with and then your views. You might also consider changing the subject line to reflect your posts. Make it easy for us to figure out who you are talking to and what you are talking about.
- If you express an opinion, support it with material from our readings or other sources if applicable. When you quote, summarize, or paraphrase from the text, be sure to give the page number(s) -- This is important!
6. Count on checking the class website for assignments or discussions at least twice or more per week.
How do I use Brightspace by D2L?
Brightspace, also known as D2L, is where your asynchronous online courses are held. You may access Brightspace at any time of day or night. This is where you will find all of your online course materials.
Login using your MGA e-mail username and password. To reset your password contact the Technology Assistance Center during business hours at 478.471.2023, 478.934.3319, or open up a ticket at https://help.mga.edu.
The best browsers to use for compatibility with Brightspace are Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
Where to go for help:
D2L Help Center
The D2L Help Center provides 24 x 7 help. If you are having problems using the system, contact them at 1.855.772.0423, for hearing impaired users please use: 1.800.892.4315 (appropriate hardware required). Live chat is also available.
Technology Assistance Center (TAC)
The TAC provides help for MGA users in need of technical assistance related to passwords, email, or SWORDS. Contact the TAC during business hours at 478.471.2023, 478.934.3319, or open up a ticket at the MGA Help Desk.
Brightspace Frequently Asked Questions Page