There may be academic prerequisites for your course. You need to consult the class schedule or course catalog on Web 4 Students to determine if and what those academic prerequisites may be. There are also computer and computing skill requirements for your online course.
First, you have to have a computer with an Internet connection or access to one. OSU Institute of Technology has several open computing labs available for use. Second, you need to be able to access your OSU e-mail account, or login to O-Key and direct mail forwarding to an active account. You should also be able to use e-mail, including the use of attachments.
You should be familiar with the Windows or MacOS X operating system, word processing, and the Internet. If you are on campus, you need to be able to login to the OSU network using your O-Key user name and password.
Online courses follow the same schedule as traditional courses.
Check with the course instructor to determine the correct textbook for your course.
The textbook is available from the OSU Institute of Technology Bookstore
Take the OSU Institute of Technology online course orientation quiz.
Your instructor would be happy to see you, but you may or may not need to come to campus for online courses. You will use the Onternet as well as the course management software called the Online Classroom to do your course work. Some courses require a one time initial meeting, usually during the first week of the semester. Check your email often or your Online Classroom course for any announcements.
You enroll in the online courses using the same procedures that you use for enrolling in traditional classes. You can enroll via the Internet using Web 4 Students.
It depends on your instructor and how the course was designed.
Typically online, like the rest of the course. However, in some cases a proxied exam may be given. A proxied exam is taken at one of many places throughout the state. Contact your instructor for more information should a proxied exam be required.
The majority of problems that occur with online testing or other issues center around your Internet Service Provider and you having an up to date web browser. Ensure your operating system and web browser are up to date for an optimal experience.
While having access to a T1 line, DSL line, or cable modem would make things faster and as a result easier, access over dial-up will still function properly.
You may want to clear your browser’s cache and reboot your computer just before taking an examination. This way, everything will be clean for the exam and you will have a new start with your ISP’s connection and any timekeeping. In addition, you should have the most up to date copy of your browser software. Here are links to the most used browsers:
With Microsoft Internet Explorer, you need to make sure that you do not tell the browser to disconnect a dial up connection. To check this, go to Tools, Internet Options, and Connections. Make sure that that the disconnect after a period of time box is unchecked.
Across the country, online learning has a higher dropout rate and “did not finish” rate than do traditional classes. If you have a problem, you need to communicate with your instructor as quickly as you can so that something can be done. Waiting will just make matters worse.
In online courses, most of the interaction between the professor and the student is by e-mail. You also may call or come see your instructor if that would be better for you. You should note the office and class hours under Faculty Information before doing either.
You should check with your instructor to determine if the course has any guidelines for using e-mail.
Visit our online directory to find your instructor’s e-mail address.
