Frequently Asked Questions
What You Need To Know About Online Courses
- How is taking an online course different than a traditional course?
- How do I begin my online course work?
- How do I contact my instructor?
- How do I submit assignments?
- How do I communicate in an online course?
- What happens if an assignment is late?
- How do I take tests?
- How do I conduct research for my online course?
- Is the course content the same as a traditional course?
- What expectations are placed upon students?
- What are the advantages/benefits of taking an online course?
- Do I have to be an experienced Internet/computer user to take an online course?
Academic Issues
- How do I apply to Northland and register for classes?
- Are online courses designed and delivered by Northland faculty members?
- How do I conduct research for my online course?
- What forms of help are available?
- Is all required software provided?
Completion Rate
- How long does it take to complete an online course?
- What proportion of students complete an online course?
- Why do students not complete an online course?
Technical Requirements
What You Need To Know About Online Courses
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
How do I begin my online course work?
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.
How do I contact my instructor?
You may contact your instructor through their GroupWise e-mail account, in person, or via the phone.
How do I submit assignments?
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.
How do I communicate in an online course?
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.
What happens if an assignment is late?
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.
How do I take tests?
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.
How do I conduct research for my online course?
Your instructor, the library, and instructional technology department can provide you with tips and instructions on how to do specific course related research.
Is the course content the same as a traditional course?
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.
What expectations are placed upon students concerning deadlines for assignments, testing, study time requirements, active participation and face-to-face attendance?
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.
What are the advantages/benefits of taking an online course?
The ease of attending classes anytime/anywhere is the major benefit of taking an online course.
Do I have to be an experienced Internet/computer user to take 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.
Academic Issues
How do I apply to Northland and register for classes?
If you've never taken a class from Northland Community & Technical College, apply for admission online or download an Application. Registration for all distance learning courses is the same process as for traditional courses.
Are online courses designed and deliverd by Northland faculty members?
Yes, Northland faculty teach online courses.
How do I conduct research for my online course?
The Northland library web site has an online catalog and many information databases that can be accessed remotely.
What forms of help are available?
Many types of help are available; if you aren't sure who to ask, contact Information Technology Services. The course management software utilized by Northland is Desire2Learn (D2L).
- Course content questions - Your instructor
- Library resource questions - Northland Library (EGF or TRF)
- Connecting to your course - Information Technology Services (EGF or TRF)
- Online learning questions - Your instructor, Information Technology Services
- Connecting to the Internet - Your Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Is all required software provided?
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
How long does it take to complete an online course?
Online courses follow the standard Northland 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.
What proportion of students complete an online course?
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.
Why do students not complete an online course?
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.
Technical Requirements
Hardware and software requirements?
Online students are required to have access to a computer with Internet capabilities. Some courses may require special software as part of the course. Review the computer 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.
