GETTING STARTED WITH CAROLINA UNIVERSITY OF

THEOLOGY ECAMPUS/ENGRADEONLINE COURSES.

Presenter Name

Presentation Date

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about Online

Courses

WELCOME TO CLASS 

Welcome to class -- and thanks for signing up for this online course. For many of you, this may be

your first online (on the Internet) course, so we'll use the entire orientation today to discuss the

course, get acquainted with a few simple computer operations, and poke around a little to see how things will work. If you are not a computer wiz, don't worry -- you won't need to be. From a

computer standpoint, absolutely everything is simple. By the time you leave orientation today, you'll know almost everything needed to navigate this course on

the Internet.

New Employee OrientationQuestion: Is an online class at CUT ECampusthe same as a self-paced class?

• Most online classes are NOT self-paced.• Usually homework, other activities, and online

class participation must be completed by set deadlines.

• Many instructors set the deadline for midnight on Saturday to assist those who work Monday – Friday.

• Make sure you use a calendar for deadlines.• Set aside time each week to login.

New Work

Question: How much time do I have to spend

online?

• But you should plan to spend at least the same amount of time you would spend on a face-to-face class.

• Plan to spend a minimum of one hour a week looking at some of the class resources, checking on assignments, contributing to discussions, and posting homework.

• You’ll probably spend another 3 hours on reading, activities and homework. 

Answer: That is up to you

Question: Do I have to log on at a particular time?

• You will however have deadlines that you will be required to submit your homework, but WHEN you complete that work is usually up to you. 

• Your instructor MAY require chat sessions or other real time activities such as discussions.

• It’s important that YOU DO NOT wait to the last minute to do your work or to submit it.

• If you have trouble connecting to your ISP or the course website, then your assignments will be late.

Answer: Usually NOT.

New Colleagues

Question: Where do we meet for class?

• Other than the orientation meeting, most online courses don't really "meet" face-to-face.

• We'll interact regularly through the Internet. • We'll be using engrade and using the Carolina

University of Theology Ecampus powered by engrade.  

• Course materials and tools arecourse web pages, discussion boards, news items, email, your textbooks

and more.

Answer: Online, not in a classroom.

Welcome

Question: How will we communicate?

• We will communicate with each other using CUT Ecampus discussion boards, chat rooms, email, and more.  

• The instructor is available to you through email, voicemail and regular and virtual office hours.

• On-campus office hours are also available by appointment.

• These same tools will be used for student-to-student communication.

Answer: In many ways.

Today’s Overview Question: Is taking a class online easier than a "regular" class?

• Studies show that some students think an online class is even more demanding than a face-to-face class.

• You will have to stay motivated and stay on top of your coursework for the class.

• The workload in an online class is usually identical to an on-site class on the same topic.

Answer: No.

Learning Objectives

• Technology • Procedure• Policies• Benefits

Research shows that most

Successful Online Students are:

• Self-motivated and self-starters, • Have good organizational skills,• Have good time-management skills,• Are familiar with computers and

the Internet, • Are resourceful and actively seek

answers and solutions to questions and problems.

New Work

Question: Do I have to have a computer at home?

Answer: NO

• Access to a computer at home makes it easier, but you do NOT have to own a computer for an online class.

• Students can access computers on the campus by appointment during regular business hours.

• Some students complete online classes from work (with permission from their employer, of course) or local libraries.  

Question: What Internet skills would be helpful

in an online class? Answer:

• If you know how to use a web browser. • If you know how to use an email program. • Being familiar with web-based

interactions--discussion boards, chat and mailing lists will also be useful.

• Being familiar with word processing. • Have some experience in successful

Internet searches using a variety of search engines.

Who’s Who Question: What Internet skills would be helpful

in an online class? Answer:

• Know how to use a web browser. • Know how to use an email program. • Know how to make and organize

bookmarks in your browser software. • Some familiarity with web-based

interactions--discussion boards, chat and mailing lists will also be useful.

• Some familiarity with word processing. • Experience in successful Internet

searches using a variety of search engines.

CUT Ecampus Online Etiquette?

• Please identify yourself by name in each email or posting.

• Please be supportive and constructive in your comments to each other.

• Please help and support each other.• Remember everyone will benefit from an

online learning environment that is positive and honors God.

• Read information on Online Etiquette under the resource tab then return back here to finish the presentation or go to http://www.albion.com/netiquette.

Doing Your Best Work

• Working from home• Working offsite• Technology

requirements

Academic Honesty:

It is a violation of University policy to plagiarize or reuse another’s work.

You must not: • take another persons’ thoughts or words

without appropriate acknowledgment; • submit work that has been written or revised

in part or in whole by another person; • submit work that you have already submitted

for another class.

Doing Your Best Work

• Working from home• Working offsite• Technology

requirements

Assignments:

• Assignments• How to submit assignments• To submit your weekly assignments go to

the Assignment Drop Box of the course you are enrolled in and click on that link. This link will take you to the page where you will be able to upload your assignment. You can view a sample of what this page will look back at the “Getting Started With CUT Ecampus” link.

HOW TO UPLOAD YOUR ASSIGNMENTS

FIRST, YOU WILL NEED TO GO TO THE ASSIGNMENT TAB AND DOWNLOAD

STUDENT WORKBOOK OR ASSIGNMENT AND SAVE THE DOCUMENT TO YOUR

DESKTOP.This will make it easier for you to locate.

AS YOU COMPLETE EACH ASSIGNMENT, SAVED THAT ASSIGNMENT AS A

SEPARATE DOCUMENT AND UPLOAD ACCORDING.

This will be explained to youin more details by an University

Representative duringyour orientation.

Case Study

• Jeremy– His first day– Mistakes made– Successes achieved– The moral of the story

Make sure you have read the following Course information supplied by your instructor

from your instructor:

• Course Syllabus• Course Expectations • Assignments

• How to submit assignments• How to address your emails to the instructor• Grading Policies• Other course issues

CONTACT YOUR INSTRUCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL

QUESTIONS.