Check Out Your Course Expectations
The first step toward a successful online learning experience is to be aware of what will be expected of you in your online course. Once you have logged into your course, check out the course Syllabus, your instructor's Welcome Letter, and any other documents your instructor has posted. These additional documents might be titled: Course Information, Introduction, Overview, or Start Here.
Find specific answers to as many of the following questions as you can. They will provide a good idea of what you will need to do to be successful in the course you are taking.
I. Check out course requirements.
1. Attendance: Surprised? Yes, this exists in an online course.
- How often are you expected to login to the course website each week to check for posted information, participate in a discussion, or submit an assignment?
- Are there weekly discussions?
- What quantity and/or quality of contribution is required?
2. Textbook
- What textbook(s) are required for your course?
- Do you have the correct text for your course section?
- Is an access code from the textbook publisher required to view online materials associated with the textbook?
3. Learning activities and assignments:
- What types of activities and assignments are required?
- When must they be completed?
- How do you submit your work?
- Are you expected to come to the campus to take exams or for other learning activities?
4. Grading:
- What is the grading scheme?
- What are assignments, exams, participation, projects, and/or quizzes worth toward your final grade?
- Is there a rubric or set of guidelines for work you submit?
- Will late work be accepted?
- What are the penalties and procedures involved with submitting work late?
II. Know how to contact your instructor
If you have a question about something you don't understand in your course, contact your instructor.
- What is his/her email address and phone number?
- When does he/she have office hours?
III. Find out how you will receive feedback.
Feedback can be anything from a numeric grade to extensive written comments.
• How will you receive feedback – by email, in a private discussion, or by another means?
• How frequently will you receive feedback on your work?
IV. Investigate how much course discussion matters.
• Does discussion play a large or small role in how the course is conducted?
• Are you expected to participate in a discussion each week?
• How much are you expected to participate?
• How much does your participation count in your grade?
Direct questions about this page to Manager of Distance learning.
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Copyright © 2006 Oakton Community College. Last update August 2, 2006