Unlike the course tools, the course content is specific to your instructor and college. Each instructor has a different style, so no two courses will look exactly the same, even if the same course platform is used. To find out the specific requirements for your course, read through the materials carefully. Pay particular attention to the syllabus, special announcements, and content pages, and try to discern logical patterns in the course materials.
Syllabus
Typically, the syllabus provides basic information about your course—including the description, outcomes and objectives, specific requirements for passing the course, and your instructor’s contact information. One of the first steps to taking an online course, or any course for that matter, is to read the syllabus carefully. After you read it the first time, make a copy of it that you can access offline—especially for times when you can’t be online for technical or other reasons.
When you read the syllabus, pay particular attention to special requirements for online attendance and participation. In addition, make note of your instructor’s policies regarding server problems, power outages caused by inclement weather, and other computer-related issues. Your instructor probably has a specific policy in place so that you can avoid too many disruptions in course work when special circumstances arise. When you encounter difficulties, notify your instructor as soon as possible.
As you learn Take a careful look at the syllabus for your course. How will your instructor measure attendance and participation? What recommendations does your instructor give for dealing with computer issues? Does the syllabus provide more than one way to contact your instructor? Review the syllabus for any information that seems unclear, and check in with your instructor for clarification.
Announcements
“I found that I had to make sure to schedule certain hours of the day to focus on my assignments. That helped.”
—Shannon Cohn, student, Santa Monica College
Instructors often post updates or other time-sensitive messages on the course home page or on calendars. Your instructor will typically let you know at the beginning of the course which method he or she will use to communicate updates to you. Check the designated announcements area regularly so that you don’t miss important information or notices of changes. The reminders or updates posted there are similar to the information instructors give at the end or beginning of class to on-site students.
Content pages
Similar to lectures that an on-site instructor would give, content pages (all of the pages inside the content units) typically provide the substance of the course. They might include presentations about course content, instructions for completing assignments, or instructions for interacting with your classmates. To learn the course material and complete assignments successfully, you will need to read these pages carefully.
Logical patterns
Lessons and instructional units will probably follow a specific pattern, no matter what tools your instructor uses to communicate information about the course. You might find, for example, that each content unit begins with an introduction, presents the body of information under headings, and ends with a conclusion that tells students what steps to take next. You might also find that your instructor follows a set pattern of tasks for each major unit of instruction: for example, one lesson and problem set, a quiz, a second lesson and problem set, a second quiz, and then a unit test; or two readings, a discussion, and then an essay assignment. If you can, take some time to browse through the course materials to discover these patterns. Knowing what to expect will help you plan your time, monitor your own learning and progress, and find clarification when necessary.