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How
do I get started with IAU Online?
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.
| 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
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.
- The
ability to use a browser and basic windows
skills (cut, copy, paste, create folders,
save and retrieve files etc.)
-
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. |
| 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. |
| Your
Virtual Vampus |
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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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Password
And Login |
| Most
online classes at IAU can be found by going to
www.iauonline.us.
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Characteristics
of the Successful Online Learner |
| The
successful online learner:
- Communicates
effectively in writing.
- Enjoys
the challenge of learning independently.
- Is
highly motivated and challenged by being in
charge of his/her own learning.
- May
need flexible scheduling but understands that
flexibility does not imply that completion
of the course
- Requirements
will be easy.
- Demonstrates
problem-solving skills and the ability to
work through difficulties.
- Manages
time well by prioritizing and establishing
a personal schedule.
- Completes
assigned work by deadlines.
- Uses
a personal computer and the Internet to access
information and to communicate.
- Possesses
above average reading skills.
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| 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 |
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