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ABOUT ONLINE LEARNING
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Evaluation of Evidence-Based Practices in Online Learning
A new study released by the U.S. Department of Education found that on the average, students perform better taking courses online than through face-to-face instruction, and those who take "blended" courses which combine both elements appear to do best of all.
read the report |
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The Online Experience
The best part of online education is
its accessibility. Anywhere that you have access to the
Internet, you have access to your classroom, your classmates
and your professor. With Champlain’s Angel (online
course software), you don’t have to do a lot of downloading
of previous discussions; you can catch up quickly to where
you were last. It’s easy to travel when you’re
taking an online Champlain graduate course. Just download
your assignments to your laptop, and work while you’re
in the airport or in the air. Because what you need is so
easily accessible, an online education helps you balance
family and work responsibilities -- and you’ll still
have time to go to class.
A Network That Goes Beyond the Classroom
Online education makes your classroom
as big as the world. Students from across the country and
around the globe are enrolled in Champlain’s graduate
programs. You’ll be interacting in your threaded discussions
with people from different cultures, and getting exposed
to new ideas and different perspectives that makes the online
learning environment immensely rich and rewarding. Your
studies -- and your particular outlook on the world -- will
be richer as a result.
Online
FAQS
What is Online
Basic Training?
How do I access
courses?
How do students
communicate with each other?
How do I get my
lectures and assignments?
How do I hand in
assignments and take exams?
Are there any special
requirements for attendance, or can I work at my own pace?
Is a lot of writing
involved in online courses?
Who is best suited
to study online?
What kind of equipment
will I need?
How big are the
classes?
Are you accredited?
Will my transcript
or degree show that I’ve taken courses online?
Who can
I contact with additional questions about taking online
classes?
WHAT IS ONLINE BASIC TRAINING?
We strongly encouraged all first-time online students to
participate in the Online Basic Training course -- available
once you register for your first class. This course allows
you to become familiar with navigating the online classroom
before your course actually begins.
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HOW DO I ACCESS COURSES?
When you register, you will be asked to request a username
and password so that you’ll be able to log in to your
course. We’ve made Champlain’s online learning
environment asynchronous to allow more flexibility with
your schedule and because your classmates are often in different
time zones, which makes it otherwise impossible for everyone
to attend class at the same time.
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HOW DO
STUDENTS COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER?
You will communicate with your instructors and classmates
in a discussion forum and via e-mail. The Discussion forum
provides a place for communication that appears as threaded
discussion, a chronological listing of your classmate’s
comments. It is easy to navigate, and all content remains
available for the entire semester in case you need to review
it. There is also an e-mail function built into the system
so that you may communicate privately with your instructor
or classmates.
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HOW DO I GET MY LECTURES
AND ASSIGNMENTS?
Once enrolled in your course, you will do the same things
you would expect to do in a campus-based course. Your lectures
and assignments will be posted in a Course Content forum
and remain there for the entire semester. You can either
read them on the screen or print them out for future reference.
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HOW DO I HAND IN ASSIGNMENTS
AND TAKE EXAMS?
Assignments and exams are administered in several ways.
In some courses the instructor will post questions in the
Course Content forum and you will be required to answer
them in a word-processing format and return them to the
instructor as an attachment to a private e-mail message.
Other courses utilize the testing software that is built
into the online course delivery system.
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ARE THERE ANY SPECIAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR ATTENDANCE, OR CAN I WORK AT MY OWN PACE?
Each instructor will have his or her own requirements for
how much and how often you need to log in. These requirements
will be stated in the course syllabus you will receive the
first day of classes. You will be expected to adhere to
the due dates for assignments and exams that the instructor
sets forth. For the most part there is no requirement for
what time of day -- or even what day -- you need to log
in; however, on occasion instructors may require you to
be available at a predetermined time.
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IS A LOT OF WRITING INVOLVED
IN ONLINE COURSES?
Yes. You have to do a lot of reading and writing because
that is how you will communicate with your instructor and
classmates. Some classes, by nature of the subject, will
require more reading and writing than others. The online
environment is a great way to strengthen these important
communication skills.
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WHO IS BEST SUITED TO
STUDY ONLINE?
Distance education is a terrific opportunity for self-motivated
students who feel that they can communicate effectively
through reading and writing. Students should be willing
to dedicate 13-14 hours per week to attending class online
and to completing course assignments. It is also helpful
for students to have some basic computer skills, including
knowledge of word processing. If you’re questioning
whether online courses are right for you, we invite you
to do a self-assessment on our Web site at www.champlain.edu/coce.
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WHAT KIND OF EQUIPMENT
WILL I NEED?
You will need a computer that has access to the Internet.
For more specific information about hardware and software,
please click
here
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HOW BIG ARE THE CLASSES?
We limit enrollment to 15 students in master’s degree
courses. This ensures a manageable level of interaction
between the instructor and your classmates.
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ARE YOU ACCREDITED?
Champlain College is accredited by the New England Association
of Schools & Colleges (NEASC). Each Champlain graduate program has an accreditation page with additional information.
You may visit the NEASC Web page at www.neasc.org.
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WILL MY TRANSCRIPT OR
DEGREE SHOW THAT I’VE TAKEN COURSES ONLINE?
Credits earned via an online course are no different from
credits earned in the classroom. Transcripts and degrees
will indicate that you earned your education at Champlain
College in Burlington, Vermont, but will not state that
the courses were completed online.
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WHO CAN I CONTACT WITH
ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS ABOUT TAKING ONLINE CLASSES?
Please use the Information Request
Form for additional assistance.
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