Testimonial:
The online course was an excellent method to complete a required course, especially since I live 175 miles from UW-Eau Claire. It was not a slough-off course, I worked hard and motivated myself to learn. I wish more coursework was online.
Where do classes take place?
Online courses do not have a physical classroom, instead the course takes place over the Internet, wherever your computer is: at home, at work, on the road.
When does my class meet?
Technically, there are no class times. Online courses are conducted "asynchronously," which means individuals "take turns" sending messages back and forth between students and instructors. Most instructors require frequent participation online. You can log onto the system whenever it is convenient for you, at any time, day or night, to retrieve and/or send course information. This way you receive constant feedback and interaction, but don't have to be online at a set time of day.
Will millions of others be taking my class at the same time?
No, like other UW-Eau Claire classes, enrollment in each online class is limited. Most classes are rarely larger than 20 students and are usually smaller, allowing for one-on-one attention from your instructor.
What kind of computer or other hardware do I need?
Online courses do not require a state-of-the art computer. If you purchased a new computer within the past three years, it probably meets the minimum requirements for online courses. In addition to your computer, you also need a modem and a connection to the Internet. For specific requirements, please see Equipment Needs.
Will I need to buy and learn to use complicated software?
The course itself is delivered via a web-based learning system Desire2Learn which requires either Internet Explorer or Netscape. Additional software requirements are course-specific. Common plug-ins are listed on the Equipment Needs.
How much time do I get to complete a course?
Like traditional UW-Eau Claire courses, each online course has a start date and an end date-generally coinciding with the start and end of the regular semester. In between, the schedule of coursework, assignments and due dates are determined by each instructor.
Who will help me if I run into a technical problem?
UW-Eau Claire has a variety of resources to help support you in online courses. For technical problems, the first stop for help is the CNS Help Desk (helpdesk@uwec.edu; 715-836-5711). For additional resources, see Resources.
