Online Class Help

Read Online School Tips

Taking an online course at a community college requires just as much time and effort as a course on campus - maybe more!

To see if online college classes are right for you, review the following questions. The more yes answers you have, the more successful you will be.

1.  Do you like to work independently?
2. Do you need convenience and an adjustable schedule?
3. Are you comfortable asking for clarification and continuing to ask when 4. 4. you need more information?
5. Are you good at meeting deadlines?
6. Are you comfortable working at a computer?


How Much Time Do I Need?

You need to devote a minimum of three hours per week for each unit of credit in an online class. For example, if a course is three units, you should expect to dedicate at least nine hours per week to that one course. Note that if you do not have the advisories for the course, or English is your second language, it may take you longer.


Tips for Online Classes

1. Find and Review the course syllabus: The syllabus is your course contract. It is your responsibility to read and understand it. If you do not understand it, it is your responsibility to ask your instructor questions.

2. Once the course begins, check Canvas a minimum of twice a week, but preferably more often.

3. Realize that interaction with your instructor and other students in an online course are different from interaction in a face-to-face course. The best way to learn the material is to become an engaged participant in your online course, and to communicate with your instructor on a regular basis.

4. Find and Review the Course Syllabus. The syllabus is your course contract. It is your responsibility to read and understand it. If you do not understand it, it is your responsibility to ask your instructor questions.

5. Become Familiar with Your Canvas courses. The best way to become comfortable in Canvas is to log into each of your courses and familiarize yourself with the course format. The format for all Canvas courses are basically the same, but each instructor usually customizes the look and feel of their course.

6. Understand that technology can fail. There are no computer excuses in an online course. Make a contingency plan in case something happens to your computer and complete assignments early enough to consider any problems that may occur.