ONLINE COURSES AND ADVISEMENT SUGGESTIONS

Online Courses are:

Taught primarily through Blackboard, an online tool used by hundreds of courses.
A wonderful opportunity for motivated, disciplined, computer-literate students to complete courses without physically having to come to campus.
An opportunity for students that cannot come to campus during our scheduled classes because of work or family responsibilities (although these same responsibilities may make it difficult to succeed in online courses).
Completed at student’s leisure (within the parameters of the syllabus). For example: assignments can be completed and submitted at 2 a.m.
Structured; they still have a syllabus and due dates.
Many courses are heavy in reading and writing. More faculty are using video, but the students should be prepared to spend a lot of time reading off the screen and typing.
Highly interactive. There is usually significant discussion about the topics covered in the class between classmates and instructor.

Online Courses aren’t:

Easy alternatives to the traditional classroom experience. Online courses are just as rigorous, if not more rigorous, as any on-campus course. This method of delivery requires that students assume more responsibility for their own learning. On average, students spend 9-12 hours per week online, per course.
A way to cram more courses into an already-full schedule. It is generally recommended that students take no more than two online courses at a time, unless they are enrolled in an online degree program.
Courses to be added to a schedule just because other sections are filled. It takes careful consideration of the student’s personal commitment of both time and motivation before deciding to take an online course.

Characteristics of successful online students:

Desire to take and be successful in an online course.
Able to complete work on their own, without continual prodding from instructors or others.
Technologically savvy. Need basic computer skills (in addition to typing) and consistent access to computer, preferably at home or work.
Ready to do whatever it takes to be successful in this type of learning environment.
Able to self-advocate. Ready to ask questions and seek help when necessary (calling instructor or Open SUNY help desk for assistance).
The reality is, some students have no choice but take online courses. They simply cannot come to campus. These students need to be assured that there are services in place to support them, but they need to ask for them.

Some questions to ask students:

Why do you want to take an online course?
What type of learner would you say you are (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic)?
Do you have a computer and an Internet service provider?
What other courses are you taking?
Is there anything else you feel would prohibit you from being successful in an online course?

Other Resources

Have the student take the Online Course Readiness Checklist to determine her/his appropriateness for this type of learning environment. This can be accessed from the MCC website at:

www.monroecc.edu
A-Z Index
Distance Learning
Information for Students
Online Learning is it Right for Me?

The MCC online course webpage has much information about online courses. See: www.monroecc.edu/depts/distlearn

OPEN SUNY website contains much information about testing equipment, looking for courses, technical support, etc.

See: https://open.suny.edu/

ADV Workshop Series, ADV 190 – Workshop for faculty and staff to learn how to advise students for online courses.

The Virtual Campus has a recently updated online student orientation. It is located at the landing page for Blackboard at mcc.open.suny.edu. All students using Blackboard should take advantage of this new tool.

One alternative to on-line courses are Hybrid courses. Hybrids are courses that are taught half online and half face-to-face. Hybrid courses and degree programs are now offered by the college with plans on expanding these opportunities in the near future.

Updated 3/25/2019