Q: What are the advantages of taking online courses?
A: Online courses allow you to learn in the convenience of your home or office and your course work on a more flexible schedule than a traditional seated course.
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Q: Are online courses easier than seated courses?
A: Online courses require at least as much effort and time as traditional courses, if not more. Since students work primarily on their own without face-to-face contact with instructors, they may not always have regular classroom reminders and clarifications available to students in traditional courses.
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Q: What courses does BRCC offer online?
A: A full listing of available online and seated courses can be found at:
http://www.blueridge.edu/shared_documents/schedule_curriculum_landing.php
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Q: How can I learn more about each individual online course offered at BRCC?
A: Information regarding the specific requirements for each online course being offered in the upcoming semester can be found in the Course Requirements Outlines located at: www.tinyurl.com/Getthe411
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Q: Is the workload in an online course the same as the workload in the same seated course?
A: The workload in an online course is typically more than what it would be in a seated section of the same course due to the fact that your workload includes all the work that would normally be done during class time.
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Q: Can I work at my own pace in my online course or will I need to follow a class schedule?
A: Online courses are demanding. They are not self-paced or self-study and should not be viewed as easier than seated courses. They are actively led by an instructor, and there are deadlines. You will be expected to read your textbook and other materials, read faculty lectures online, submit your answers to questions, complete other exercises or assignments, and participate in online discussions.
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Q: Is there an orientation to prepare me for taking online courses?
A: There is an orientation for Moodle, which is the delivery system for all of the College's online courses. Once you have access to Moodle, you will see instructions for completing the online orientation on the Moodle home page. Also, before each semester begins, we offer several face to face orientations for new Moodle users. You may find those dates under "Orientation" on the "New to Distance Learning" page on our website: http://www.blueridge.edu/distance_learner/new2dl.php
(No sign-up required.)
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Q: Are online courses counted differently from seated courses?
A: Each online course is equivalent to the seated section of the same course in terms of credit, hours, objectives, transferability, and approval for tuition assistance.
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Q: Are online courses transferable?
A: To find out if a specific online course is transferable, please locate the Course Requirements Outline (CRO) for that course at : www.tinyurl.com/Getthe411
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Q: How do I register and pay for online courses?
A: Registration and payment for online courses are handled in the same manner as traditional course registration and payment.
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Q: What are the characteristics of a successful online student?
A successful online student has the following characteristics:
- is goal-oriented.
- works independently.
- begins course activities within the first week of the course.
- sets aside a specific time on a routine basis for study.
- keeps up with assignments.
- contacts the instructor promptly with questions about any aspect of the course.
- has the necessary skills, such as a college reading level.
- possesses good study habits.
- has a personal computer and strong basic computer skills.
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Q: What level of computer/Internet knowledge must I have to take online courses?
A: Basic knowledge of the Internet, Web browsers, and search engines is necessary. The ability to download and install software may be required. Word processing skills are also necessary, including creating, saving, attaching and managing files and copying and pasting text from one software application to another. Familiarity with the procedures for sending and receiving e-mail with attachments is essential.
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Q: How do I access my online course?
A: Information on logging into Moodle can be found at the Distance Learners page of the BRCC Web site.
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Q: Will I ever have to come to campus for my online course?
A: To find out if a specific online course requires you to come to campus, please locate the Course Requirements Outline (CRO) for that course at : www.tinyurl.com/Getthe411
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Q: As a student with a disability, how do I request accommodations for an online class?
A: Students who have a documented disability or who suspect that they may have a disability/learning problem can contact the Disability Services Office in Sink, Room 127 or call 694-1813/1812 to request accommodations.
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Q: Can I drop, add, or change an online course after registering?
A: College policies for online courses are the same as for seated courses. These include dropping, adding, or changing a course, academic calendar, withdrawal dates, and refunds. For more on College policies, see the College Catalog.
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Q: How is attendance taken in an online course?
A: BRCC has an official Attendance Policy that is printed in both the Catalog and the Student Success Guide. This policy can be summarized as follows:
- The student is required to attend any scheduled orientation sessions, review sessions, or test sessions.
- The student must complete an activity and/or communicate with the instructor at least once a week unless more communication is necessary to meet course requirements. A student who fails to maintain this communication may be dropped from the course for nonattendance.
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Q: Is a placement test required for online courses?
A: Placement testing policies are the same for online and seated courses. The Star Center offers placement testing on-campus and can arrange for online placement testing as needed. The Admissions office can assist you with this process. If you take the placement test off-campus, you may have to pay for proctoring (supervision).
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Q: How much do online courses cost?
A: Tuition is the same per credit hour for online and seated courses. Complete information is available in the Catalog and an our Web page at http://www.blueridge.edu/shared_documents/tuition.php
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Q: How do I get the books and course materials I will need for an online course?
A: It is best to purchase the required textbooks and materials before your course starts. Information about book requirements can be found at http://blueridge.bncollege.com/# and we have an on-campus bookstore (check Web site for hours).
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Q: What type of computer hardware, software and Internet connection will I need to take an online course?
A: To find out the specific hardware and software requirements of each online course, please locate the Course Requirements Outline (CRO) for that course at : www.tinyurl.com/Getthe411
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Q: Is technical help available throughout the online course?
A: Technical support is available by calling the Help Desk Call Center (866) 833-2415, 24/7 assistance for Online Students.
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Q: Will I have an opportunity to evaluate my online course and instructor?
A: A link to complete a course evaluation will be sent to your College email account toward the end of the semester.
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