Education with no limits.

Transcription

1 Education with no limits.

2 Why Broward College Online? Benefits - There are many benefits to taking courses online, such as: 1. Never being late for class. By taking classes online, you log in at times that are convenient to you. Classes begin and end on the same days as on-campus classes. You will have specific deadlines for submitting assignments and taking tests, but when you log in during the week is up to you. 2. Saving money and time. Taking classes online means you don t have to spend time driving to and from campus, finding a parking space and getting to class. You also save money on gas or public transit. 3. Being able to take time to think. In online classes, you have time to read material carefully and as many times as you like, rather than having to hurry and take notes on a lecture you ll hear only once. More importantly, you can read comments posted by the instructor and classmates and take as much time as you need to formulate a meaningful response. And when you type your response, you have time to reread it and edit it, so you say exactly what you want to say, without being put on the spot. Award-winning Courses and Faculty A number of Broward College faculty members have received national recognition for exemplary online classes. All Broward College Online courses developed since 2008 must meet minimum criteria for online course design before being offered. The criteria is researchbased and used by colleges all over the country to ensure courses are wellorganized, easy to follow, engaging, and include critical components for online delivery. Courses are designed to capture your attention and allow for maximum interaction between students and professor. You will participate in meaningful discussions with your classmates, be able to communicate regularly with your instructor, and receive written feedback on assignments. Many courses utilize audio and video components, colorful graphics, and even live chat or live meeting options. What degrees/programs are offered online? Several degree programs and certificates can be obtained completely online. Others are offered in a blended format, which either means some of the courses in the program are offered completely online and some are offered on campus (i.e., clinical or labs), or

3 all the courses in the program are blended, where you have fewer face-to-face class meetings and complete some of the work online. See the back page for a list of programs. In addition, there are many general education and program-specific courses offered online for students who simply wish to supplement their course load with online classes. What are online courses like? Broward College Online courses are housed in a learning management system that has built-in tools such as , discussion forums, a grade book (where you can view your grades), a testing center, and a tool for uploading documents. Everything you need is right inside the course. You ll have a detailed course schedule that tells you exactly what you are studying and what assignments are due each week. If you want to see what a course looks like, there is a short demo on the Broward College Online website at How do I know if online courses are for me? Different people have different learning styles and preferences. Online courses and degrees are great for motivated, selfdisciplined students whose schedules do not permit them to attend regularly scheduled on-campus course meetings, or for those who like the convenience of a blend of on-campus and online learning. Online classes aren t easier. You should expect to spend as much time, or more, working on your online courses as you do your on-campus courses. Success Traits The following are basic characteristics of a successful online student: 1. Knows basic computer and typing skills (can use , send attachments, create and manage files, and handle basic trouble-shooting tasks). 2. Is not afraid to ask questions and seek help when needed. 3. Can dedicate specific times during the week to log on and participate, preferably at least four times per week. 4. Can communicate clearly in writing. 5. Doesn t mind reading a lot of text online. 6. Has good organizational and timemanagement skills.

4 Self-Assessment If you aren t sure if online learning is right for you, you can take a 30-minute readiness assessment that will analyze your study habits, learning style, reading comprehension, typing speed, and technical knowledge. You ll receive detailed results in each area so you can make a good decision about taking online courses, and find out which areas you may need to improve upon. Simply go to and log in using the username BCgeneral and password student. Try Blended First You may wish to take a blended course first. Blended courses meet on campus about half as often as traditional courses, and the rest of the work is done online. Beginning with a blended course allows you to ease into fully online courses. What do I need to have to take online courses? You ll need to have regular and reliable access to an Internet-connected computer. You ll also need an updated version of a supported browser Internet Explorer or Firefox, preferably and a current version of Java. Detailed instructions regarding all hardware and software requirements are provided on the Broward College Online website, as well as links to download anything you need. The website is How do I find a list of available courses and register? With 400 online course sections offered every term, you will probably find one that meets your needs. If you know the specific course you want to take, simply look it up by subject area or course number on the Class Schedules page on the Broward College website. Online and blended courses are included within the list of the search results. Look for the red text that says: Special Designators: Flexible Learning: Online Course (or Blended Course). To browse a list of just online classes, look at the list for the current term under Online Classes. Be sure to read the course notes to see if there are any face-to-face requirements or a required orientation. A link to view a list of blended courses is available underneath each campus/location. For current students, registering for an online course works the same as registering for an on-campus course. You simply choose the course(s) you want to take, and then you can register online or in person. New students must apply to the college before they can register.

5 What happens after I register? How do I access my online course? Course availability You will be able to view the course content on the start date listed for the course, usually the first day of the term. Textbooks Make sure to purchase your textbooks early so you have them before class begins. You can go to the bookstore in person or order books online and have them mailed to you. Course preview pages Before the start of the term, you should read the Course Preview Page for the online or blended course for which you registered. Preview Pages include important information that you need to know before the class actually begins such as required textbooks and supplies, mandatory on-campus meetings or exams (if there are any), and information about the orientation. There should be a web address (URL) for the Course Preview Page in the notes section of all online and blended courses listed on the Class Schedules page. (A link to the Class Schedules page can be found on the Broward College main website at How do I get help for my online class? There is a 24/7 Help Desk to answer any technical questions you have. Contact information is listed within every online course and on the Broward College Online website. If you have questions about course content, you may contact your professor by using the link within the course. What student services are available for online students? You can find a list of all the student services provided for online students, with contact information, on the Broward College Online website at Here you ll find links and information for using online library resources, ordering textbooks online, getting tutoring help, finding financial help, contacting an advisor, taking proctored tests at the e-testing center, and registering with disability services. We make every effort to ensure that all student services can be obtained without having to come to campus. If you have any problems accessing services, contact the Broward College Online office.

6 Online Programs Associate in Arts Degree (several areas of emphasis) Associate in Science Degrees Accounting Technology Aviation Operations Business Administration Emergency Management Certificates Accounting Applications Business Management Business Specialist: Small Business Management Customer Service Emergency Management Information Technology Support: MS Office Specialist Medical Office Management Office Management Office Specialist Office Support Blended Programs There are many programs that offer several courses online or in an onlineon-campus combination. Check the website for a current listing of blended programs. Where do I get more information? Call Broward College Online at us at [email protected]. Find the answers to many of your questions on our website at at DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES Sean Guerin, Chair Sean Alveshire, Vice Chair John Benz BROWARD COLLEGE J. David Armstrong, Jr., President AN EQUAL ACCESS/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INSTITUTION 4/11 FB