How is taking an online course different than a traditional course?
In an online course, frequent student and faculty participation occurs through a variety of methods including any combination of the following:
- Lectures and assigned readings (i.e. textbooks and online resources)
- Individual and group assignments (i.e. case studies and discussion questions)
- Bulletin boards and chatrooms
- Individual and group papers
- Online and proctored quizzes and examinations
- E-mail communication with instructor and fellow students
Prior to the course beginning date, you will be sent a course packet via traditional mail. This packet will contain information you need to access your online course. Remember to keep your address current with the College.
You may contact your instructor through their GroupWise e-mail account, in person, or via the phone.
Your instructor should indicate in the syllabus the preferred method for submitting assignments. Within D2L, assignments are typically submitted through the Dropbox. Some instructors accept assignments as attachments via e-mail. Remember each instructor and course will have a preferred method.
Most communication is done through e-mails, discussions, and chatrooms.
- E-mail is the primary communication tool for an online course. All e-mail communication is done through the College's e-mail system.
- Discussions provide a place for individuals to respond to their instructor's discussion postings. Students post their responses and/or questions to their classmates. Like a real bulletin board, all messages remain posted until they are removed. One message follows the next in chronological order or threaded order, and individuals respond to the original posting and comments made by others by using reply.
- Chatrooms provide communication amongst individuals who have accessed the chatroom at the same time.
It is the student's responsibility to meet class deadlines. Tardiness in the online environment is essentially the same as it is for a traditional class. The instructor sets deadlines and penalties for late assignments.
Your instructor has the option of testing in a variety of ways. An online course might use online testing and allow off-campus testing or require that you attend campus at a specified time. Off-campus testing might require the use of a proctor. This would be the student's responsibility and would need to be coordinated before testing begins. Each course will have different requirements for testing based upon the instructor's preference. Just like the assignments in the Dropbox, each test will have a specified date and timeframe for taking.
Your instructor, the library, and instructional technology department can provide you with tips and instructions on how to do specific course related research.
Online course content is the same as a traditional course. Students tend to feel online courses are more challenging because there is no traditional class time scheduled.
Each course has performance expectations determined by the instructor. A basic study guideline for a traditional course is that for every hour spent in the classroom you should allow two hours outside of class for study. A three-credit lecture class equals three hours of traditional in-class time and six hours outside of class for study purposes, a student should allow a minimum of nine hours for this course per week. The same guidelines exist for an online class.
The ease of attending classes anytime/anywhere is the major benefit of taking an online course.
The technology skills you need vary according to the online course you take. In most cases, you do not need to be a"computer whiz,"but you need to know how to send and receive e-mail with attachments, perform word processing tasks, and utilize a Web browser for Internet searches. To check your computer skills complete the"Computer Skills Survey."
- Course content questions - Your instructor
- Library resource questions - Library -- 507-433-0533, 1-800-247-5039 orlibrary@riverland.edu
- Connecting to your course - Office of Instructional Technology -d2lhelp@riverland.eduor 1-800-247-5039 or 507-433-0600
- Online learning questions - Your instructor, Instructional Technology Department, or the Student Success Center
- Academic questions not related to online course - Student Affairs -- 507-433-0600 or 1-800-247-5039
- Connecting to the Internet - Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Academic Issues
If you've never taken a class from Riverland Community College, apply for admission online or download an Application. Registration for all distance learning courses is the same process as for traditional courses.
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Contact thebookstorein Austin (507-433-0541) or Albert Lea (507-379-3314) to make arrangements for receiving your textbooks
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Yes, Riverland faculty teach online courses.
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Yes, you need a student ID card to use the online databases from your home or office. Students are encouraged to visit any Riverland student services office on the Austin, Albert Lea or Owatonna campus to get a student ID card. If this is not possible, call the library at 507-433-0533, 1-800-247-5039 or e-mail the library atlibrary@riverland.edu.
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Currently, students must come to the Austin or Albert Lea Library to view videos or use print items that have been placed on reserve.
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The library uses the MNPals online system as our card catalog. MNPals is located at http://riverland.mnpals.net/F. On the reverse side of your student ID card you will find your 14 digits library number. The library password is your last name. Books and More on the library website identifies many databases students can use for information. Many articles are available in full text, meaning you can read the article on your computer screen or print to your printer.
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The library webpage has an online catalog and many information databases that can be accessed remotely. The Riverland Library page located at www.riverland.edu/library contains more information.
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Many types of help are available; if you aren't sure who to ask, contact the Office of Instructional Technology. The course management software utilized by Riverland is Desire2Learn (D2L) can be accessed at http://www.riverland.ims.mnscu.edu.
- Course content questions - Your instructor
- Library resource questions - Library -- 507-433-0533, 1-800-247-5039 or library@riverland.edu
- Connecting to your course - Office of Instructional Technology -d2lhelp@riverland.edu or 1-800-247-5039 or 507-433-0600
- Online learning questions - Your instructor, Instructional Technology Department, or the Student Success Center
- Academic questions not related to online course - Student Affairs -- 507-433-0600 or 1-800-247-5039
- Connecting to the Internet - Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
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The College does not provide any software for online courses. Online courses may require you to download additional software (i.e. QuickTime, RealPlayer, Adobe Acrobat, etc.) Specific course information is included in the master schedule and in the online mailing prior to the semester. Additional hardware information is contained in the online technical requirements section.
Completion Rate
Online courses follow the standard Riverland calendar and are usually scheduled for 16 weeks, which is the same as traditional courses. Some classes are designed to be completed in a shorter time or have a later beginning date. You will want to check the master schedule on the web, to verify your class's actual schedule. Depending upon the course structure, however, the student may have the option of accelerating completion.
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Studies have shown that failure rates in online courses are proportionally higher than in the traditional classroom due to the level of student self-motivation required. With this statistic in mind, you need to remain focused on your classwork and not procrastinate.
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Online courses are best suited for students who are self-motivated and independent learners. The student who requires lots of interaction with the instructor and other students will not do well in an online course. To find out if you are a good candidate for online instruction, take the "Is Online Learning For Me?"surveys. These surveys will help you determine if you have the necessary study skills and habits and computer skills to be a successful online learner.
Technical Requirements
Hardware and software requirements?
Online students are required to have access to a computer with Internet capabilities and an Internet account through an Internet Service Provider. Some courses may require special software as part of the course. Review the hardware and software requirements for online courses. Additional course specific software requirements are listed on the master schedule each semester.
What prior technical competencies are needed?
An online student should have experience with application software (word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation), utilize the Internet for research, and send and receive e-mail with attachments. Otherwise, you might experience the growing pains or a "learning curve" that accompanies learning something new. Check your computer skills at the "Computer Skills Assessment."
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