Taking courses with online content can be a gratifying component of your college education. Online courses provide you with flexibility and convenience. However, with this flexibility comes additional responsibilities. This orientation is designed to provide you with the information and tools that may be used to help you be successful in your online courses. Even if you've taken an online course before, the resources in Part 2 can still be valuable to you.
While taking an online course, you can expect:
Harper’s online courses provide the same level of educational quality and content as traditional face-to-face classes. They can also include:
To experience an online course in Blackboard, select the following link: Harper College Demonstration Course.
One of the key benefits of online learning is that you can create your own schedule, work at your own pace, and accomplish your coursework when it works best for your individual needs, within the general weekly schedule the instructor creates. Students are often surprised, though, by the amount of time it may take to successfully complete an online course.
Harper’s guideline is that there should be at least three hours each week of studying for every one credit hour. (If this is the first time you are taking an online course, it may require additional time to become acclimated to the learning environment.) For example: In a three credit hour course, that runs for 16 weeks, you should expect to budget at least nine hours each week for completing coursework.
Here are some campus resources that may assist you:
Answer these 10 questions offered to help you assess if an online learning format is a good match for you. Each question will provide you with helpful feedback according to your specific answer. Take the Survey.
New to using Blackboard? These video-based, Blackboard online tutorials may be of assistance to you.
For additional technical support visit Harper’s Student Tech Support Services.