If you're unfamiliar with the concept of online learning, allow us to give you a brief overview. Online courses are an exceptionally accessible, flexible resource whether your goal is gaining new skills, working towards your degree, or advancing your career with a program certificate. Online courses can be quite varied in their overall approach to the teaching and learning process, but they often have certain characteristics in common. In all online courses, students use a computer to connect to a course site on the World Wide Web. Standard classroom books and printed materials are typically used in combination with online lectures, assignments, and supplementary course materials. Some courses have formal lectures, similar in length and content to lectures given in face-to-face classes. Online lectures may be entirely text-based or consist of some combination of text, graphics, sound and video. Other courses break the content up into smaller units or abandon the lecture entirely, instead relying on group discussion and others types of learning activities.

Online courses offer several advantages but the transformation from regular learning to learning in a virtual classroom is not always easy. Given below are some suggestions that will help you better prepare for an online course.

1. Online Course Requirements
   
   An online course means you will require a computer and some peripherals. Go through the documentation provided in your online school's website or printed material to find out what all you need.
   
   a) A reliable computer with a reliable internet connection. Remember you can use the various computer labs on IAU's campus to do your online work, but you must factor into your schedule when these labs are available.
   
   b) The ability to use a browser and basic windows skills (cut, copy, paste, create folders, save and retrieve files etc.)
   
   c) An active Email Account. You can NOT take an online class if you do not have an email account. If you do not have a currently active one, you can get one free from http://hotmail.com , http://yahoo.com , or http://gmail.com . If you have an email already, you can use it in your online class.
   
   Typically you will need the following items in addition to the computer.
   
   Speakers or headphones and a microphone.
   Software for reading documents (like Adobe PDF reader).
   Software for creating documents (like Microsoft Office or Open Office).
   A printer for having hardcopies of important documents
   
   Most schools do not require more than the above but in case of video chat facilities you may wish to acquire a webcam. IAU offers its own download section from where you can get all the software that you will need for your online course. It is always a good idea to check for software in IAU's download section before buying any.
   
2. Study Space
   
   Your computer and study space must not be in a general area of your home. Keep them where traffic is minimal and where you can study without danger of being interrupted. Though you will be studying online you will still be involved with papers so make sure there is adequate space to keep folders and books. Set aside some writing space close by with plenty of papers, pens, and highlighters. If you intend to study from multiple locations, like home and office, then you may wish to get a backpack to carry all important study related accessories with you. Do not maintain two separate sets as that might cause confusion when you move between locations.
   
3. Your Virtual Vampus
   
   The website of your school is your virtual campus and you must know it thoroughly. Explore the website and go through every link and feature included therein. You need to attain a level of comfort that only comes with prolonged familiarity so start exploring the website as soon as you have your login credentials. Do not wait for the course to begin. You may start even before you have your login details but it is more important to do so after you have them as the real options are not visible to guest users on the website.
   
4. Course Material
   
   Another important thing to do when you get your login and password is to order all the books that you will need for your online course. The delivery of books can take more than a week so make sure you order them in time.
   
5. Virtual Universities
   
   The website will also have some important links that are not related to study. These include the Help Desk, Office of Admissions & Records, Faculty and Department that will be teaching you, and finally, the online resources. Visit these links and wherever possible introduce yourself as a new student and collect as much information as you can. Every service will have an email contact or a phone number and you must know them so that information can be retrieved quickly when you need it.
   
   IAU Online follows the same academic calendar as our campus classes. The classes start on the the day published in the schedule of classes and you must find your class and sign in on or before that date, or you may loose your place in the class. If you have any problems finding your class or getting in, email your professor as soon as possible.
   
6. Password And Login
   
   Most online classes at IAU can be found by going to http://iau.smartsoftsoftware.com. Once there you will need to log-in. You will need your user name, password, and enrollment key. Always log in to your class when you receive login credentials to make sure you can enter both. This depends on the internet security policy implemented by the school. If the login credentials for your class are different then get them quickly or you will not be able to submit assignments when the time arrives.
   
7. Classroom
   
   Instead of attending lectures on campus, online students attend "virtual" classrooms via the Internet. Moodle is the course management system used to support online course resources at International American University. This allows the instructor to post assignments, syllabi, and course outlines. In addition, the applications allow the use of several communication tools such as discussion boards, chat rooms and email.
   
   Online classes offer the opportunity to fit classes into your busy schedule and are fun, exciting learning experience. They have the same requirement for class hours and outside assignments as traditional classes. They are not for everyone. Online classes require a great deal of self discipline and time management. You must read everything posted on the class web site very carefully. Online classes at IAU are all asynchronous-paced classes. This means you do not have to be online at any particular time, but you must complete assignments according to the schedule established by your instructor. This is very important! You cannot work at your own pace, but must adhere to the class's schedule. You will probably have assignments the first week of class, so again it is important that you find your class and sign in.
   
   As with the general layout of the school website you will also need to know the layout of your virtual classroom. There will be many links and sections leading to various activities and you must explore them. There will be an email system, discussion board, assignments page, and so on. If there is a link you can click then click on it and check where it goes and what it does. What you need to do is understand what to do when a class activity demands it. "Submit an assignment" sounds quite straightforward but you should still go through the act of submitting one.
   
8. Get A Copy Of The Syllabus
   
   You might already have a copy of the syllabus and if not you can download it from the online courseroom. Know what you are going to be studying for the duration of the course and start getting ready before classes begin. Understand the topics that will be covered, what sort of assignments you will have to do, what sort of activities you may expect. You will not feel so overwhelmed when you know what is coming next.
   
   You should expect to spend as much time for study, or perhaps more, as a classroom course since you are managing your own learning using the online information and materials. This requires that you be self-disciplined, motivated, and have some skills using a networked computer and a Web browser. The content and rigor of the online courses offered by the IAU Online is equivalent to the on-campus version of the same course. In fact, in some cases, on-campus and off-campus students are combined into the same course section.
   
9. Discussion Board & Communication
   
   You will communicate with your professor and other students via online forums, chat rooms, text messages, e-mail and electronic submissions. The course is designed so that you receive course assignments, complete them on your own time (but with a scheduled due date), and then return them as electronic documents. Your instructor will evaluate them and provide feedback.
   
   Many courses will also use, as an integral part of the course, a threaded discussion forum which you can use to share information, collaborate, and interact with other members of your class. Through these discussions you will meet other interesting people and make friends. Discussion forums are a great way to get to know the school and your classmates. You can even discuss the syllabus or assignments and help each other out. By staying active in discussion forums you will never feel alone.
   
10. Conclusion
    
    This is a new experience so take it easy and give yourself time. The whole point of an online course is to let you study without pressure so there is no point in getting worked up over it. If you have questions then there are always student counselors or professors willing to help you.

IAU's Online Courses Policies