What is an online class and WebCT?
An online class is a class delivered via the Internet
that typically contains all of your required course
materials, including a syllabus and lecture materials,
as well as a forum for course interactions, such as
a discussion board and email.
WebCT (Web Course Tools) is the online course delivery
software adopted by the University of Houston System.
Some of the things you may be able to do in WebCT are
- Correspond with other students and your instructor
via email and the discussion board
- Chat with other students and your instructor in
real-time in WebCT chat rooms
- View, print or download your course syllabus, lecture
material, and slide presentations, as well as review
related web sites
- Take quizzes online
- Check your grades
- Work collaboratively on group projects
- Submit assignments to your instructor electronically
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Should I take an online class?
Generally, if you are a motivated, self starter
who has had difficulty scheduling a class that you want
or need, and have the necessary hardware and software,
online classes offer a good alternative to traditional
classes. You must have the maturity and independence
to stay on track, complete assignments, and communicate
without the benefit of face-to-face class attendance.
If you want to learn more about whether or not you
are ready for online learning, review the
Online
Self Evaluation. For additional resources and guidelines,
check out the Illinois Online Network's "What
Makes a Successful Online Student" web site.
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Do I have to come to campus to take an online class?
Currently, most online classes are conducted
entirely online. Some may, however, require occasional
on-campus meetings. You may be required to attend an
on-campus orientation, or you may need to take your
midterm or final on-campus. Check with your instructors
to determine exactly how many on-site sessions will
be required for your online class.
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How does an online class differ from a traditional class?
Online classes are delivered differently; however, the
course materials and level of difficulty of online and
traditional classes should be very similar. A typical
online class might consist of
-
reading assignments
- slide presentations
-
lecture notes
-
homework turned in via email or the assignments tool
-
discussion board activities or chat discussions
-
online quizzes
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What are the advantages and disadvantages of taking an
online class?
The benefits of an online class include the ability
to fit a class into a busy schedule, decreased commuting
time to class, and more self-paced learning. However,
some students miss the face-to-face contact with the
professor and other students. Other students need the
deadlines of class attendance to keep up with materials,
and others find that they lack the necessary computer
skills to be successful in an online class. Technology
problems may be a concern for some students, but a willingness
to speak up and seek assistance will help to minimize
the impact of these problems.
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Do I have the computer expertise to take an online class?
To determine whether or not you have the computer expertise
to take an online class, you should answer yes to most
of the questions below.
-
Can I install software on my computer?
-
Can I download and install files from the Internet?
-
Do I know how to work with multiple windows on
my computer the same time?
- Can I copy files from a disk to a specified directory
on the hard drive?
-
Can I copy files from the Internet to a specified
directory on the hard drive?
-
Can I use email?
-
Can I create a file and attach it to an email message?
-
Do I know how to use word processing software?
If you answered yes to most or all the questions above,
you should have the proper expertise to take an online
class.
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What hardware and software do I need to take an online
class?
To ensure that your computer is capable of running
an online class, you need to verify that you have the
appropriate hardware, software, and browser setup by
going through the
Computer Requirements
page.
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What does asynchronous mean?
Asynchronous means that participants are not
required to be present at the same time in order to
take or participate in the class. For instance, the
professor puts materials and assignments online for
you to view at a later time. You may send an email to
a professor or post a discussion message and others
may reply hours later. Asynchronous communication allows
those with time or location constraints to work at their
convenience. Interaction with the professor and fellow
students is still an important part of the class, but
the interaction is often asynchronous....via email,
a discussion board, etc.
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What about synchronous communication? What is that?
Synchronous communication means that all participants
are online at the same time. Chat rooms and instant
messaging are examples of synchronous communication.
Some online classes may conduct synchronous chat sessions
for events such as study sessions, guest speakers, and
online office hours. Chat sessions provide an environment
for real-time interactions, much like in a traditional
classroom, where students and others can share ideas
and opinions about the topic at hand.
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How will I communicate with my professor?
You will be able to communicate with your professors
in a variety of ways. Most UHV professors maintain regular,
on-campus office hours. UHV has a toll free number (877-970-4848)
you can use to contact the professor during his or her
office hours or to arrange a visit to their office.
If your professor is unavailable, you can leave a voice
mail message and your professor will return your call.
Many professors teaching online also schedule online
office hours--a time when they will be online and during
which time they will either respond promptly to email
or have a live chat room open for communication. In
addition, professors may be contacted via email. Your
professor will notify you of their preference to be
contacted either through WebCT Mail or through their
university email. Their contact information will be
available to you on their syllabus, or by visiting your
school's web site.
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What classes are currently offered online?
All three schools offer a variety of fully online
classes. To determine what classes are offered online,
you can look at the current
course listing selection. Online courses are designated
as ONLINE in the Rm/Bldg column. Many face-to-face courses
may also have a supplemental online component, which
may be an integral part of your course. Consult your
syllabus and instructor for details on any online requirements
for your courses.
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Will an online class be listed differently on my transcript?
A transcript does not distinguish between a class
taken online or on-campus.
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How do I register for an online class?
You will register for an online class just like
you register for an onsite class, using the
Online Enrollment Services.
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How do I find out what books I will need for my online
classes?
To determine what books are required for an online
class, you can go to a number of places. Each school
provides textbook information on its web site. Also,
The
Victoria College Bookstore provides a list of textbooks
that are required for each class.
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How do I buy textbooks for an online class?
You can buy textbooks from a number of sources.
The
Victoria College Bookstore maintains most UHV textbooks
and will mail books to a specified location. Also, the
seasonal bookstore at the Sugar Land campus sells limited
textbooks. Finally, you can order from any number of
online bookstores, including Amazon.com
or Barnes
and Nobles.com.
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How does the drop/withdrawal/refund policy work for online
classes?
Online students must follow the same drop, withdrawal,
and refund schedule as other students. Texas law requires
UHV to adhere to the standard refund schedule listed
in the current course schedule. Please call toll free
877-970-4848 for further information.
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