What are online
courses? urses?
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Will I have to
buy software, textbooks, or other material? |
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How do online courses work? |
Do I have to be on-line at a
certain time each day (or week)? |
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Do I
have to come to campus? |
What
skills do I need to be successful in an online course? |
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What kind of computer do I need? |
How much time do I get to
complete a course? |
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What
happens if my computer crashes? |
What
if I start an online class and decide it's just not for me? |
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Can
anyone take an online course? |
Where can I get help if I run into a technical problem? |
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How
do I register for an on-line course? |
Can
I get a WPCC degree online? |
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How will I be
graded in the course? |
Can
I take an online course even if I don't have my own computer? |
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What are the
recommended browsers? |
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What are
online courses? |
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An online course is one delivered over the
Internet using web pages, e-mail, online discussion forums,
etc.Western Piedmont Community College offers a selection of
full credit college courses over the Internet, as a flexible
alternative to traditional, on-campus classes. Online courses
cover the same content as their traditional counterparts on
campus. |
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What are the
recommended browsers
for online courses? |
| Internet
Explorer 6, Netscape 7.1,
Firefox 1.0 have been tested on
Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems.
AOL,
MSN, CompuServe, Prodigy are some
NOT recommended for
online classes. Review
Blackboard's compatible browser
configuration to determine what browsers are
certified and/or compatible with your specific platform. |
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How do
online courses work? (top) |
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Online students "attend"class
by accessing the class web pages and completing assignments
according to the class schedule.
Students are
required to complete assignments according to the class schedule, to maintain regular contact with the instructor,
and to participate in online class discussions. Online
courses run on the same semester schedule as on campus
classes. |
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Do I have
to come to campus?
(top) |
|
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Some online classes
require you attend an
orientation session at the beginning of the semester. Also,
for some hybrid classes you may need to come to campus to attend
scheduled class meetings, check out videos, or take tests.
Check with your instructor to find out if on-campus
attendance is required for a particular class.
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How will I
be graded in this course?
(top) |
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Students enrolled
in an online course receive a grade just as they would in a
traditional course. Each course has its own grading scale.
Contact the instructor, or view the distance learning
syllabi online.
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What
happens if my computer crashes?
(top) |
|
Students will be allowed to work on assignments using the
on-campus open lab computers. Contact your instructor
immediately if this happens, and he/she will explain the
procedure for gaining access to the on-campus open lab. |
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Can anyone
take an online course?
(top) |
|
|
Western Piedmont
has an open door policy, and follows the same procedures for
taking online courses as it does for traditional courses.
For information about a specific class, contact the
instructor or the admissions office.
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How do I register for an online course?
(top) |
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The
Online Registration card will
be available during registration periods for students wanting to
enroll in an online course (certain criteria applies).
You can
also contact
Student Services
for
additional registration information. |
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Will I have to buy software,
textbooks, or other material?
(top)
|
| Most
classes require you purchase a textbook for the course. Some
courses also require special software which students can often
purchase at discount prices through the school. Contact the
course instructor for specific information about the necessary
materials needed. |
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Do I have to be
online at a certain time each day (or week)?
(top) |
|
No, but you are
required to "keep up" with the class schedule and to
complete assignments on or before the due date. You can
choose the time of day or night you want to log on to the
Internet to work on an assignment, but you must complete it
and "turn it in" by the specified date and time. |
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What skills do I need to be
successful in an online course?
(top) |
| Taking
a course over the Internet requires the ability to work
independently, and to devise your own regular schedule for
"attending" class and completing assignments.
See
what it takes to be a
successful distance learning student. |
| |
|
|
How much time do I get to
complete a course?
(top) |
| Online
courses began and end on specific dates that coincide with the
regular semester. The schedule of coursework, assignments, and
due dates are determined by each instructor. |
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What if I
start an online class and decide it's just not for me?
(top) |
|
Contact your instructor
immediately and he/she will help you facilitate the proper
procedure for withdrawing. |
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Where can
I get help if I run into a technical problem?
(top) |
|
The instructor for
each course is your primary contact for questions or
problems you may have during the class. You can reach your
instructor by email or telephone. If you need help
face-to-face assistance, you can schedule an appointment
with your instructor. If your instructor is unable to assist
you with a technical issue he/she will forward your problem
on to the distance learning System Administrators. |
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Can I get a WPCC degree online?
(top) |
|
| At this
time WPCC only offers the A.A.S. in Paralegal Technology
online. However we are continually working to increase our
distance learning courses to meet the needs of our students. |
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Can I take
an online course even if I don't have my own computer?
(top) |
|
Yes. Western Piedmont has an open lab,
Carr Hall 234, available to all enrolled students. For
information about the procedure for gaining access to the
on-campus open lab, contact your instructor or call the lab
office at 438-6170. |
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