Just like all UW-Eau Claire courses, online classes will be taught by our innovative faculty. As in any class, you'll have textbooks, assignments, projects and evaluations. And you'll enjoy lively online interaction with classmates, some of whom may live in other states and countries.

With the online courses, classes will begin whenever you log on - be it noon, midnight or anytime in between. You'll log on to review lecture notes. You can communicate with your professor and turn in assignments via e-mail. You can visit with other students through discussion forums. And you can download reference materials. You must be online and working steadily, but you can do it from the comfort of your own home, whenever you have the time.

Advantages of online learning:

• Access to and from geographically isolated communities.
• Multiple and collaborative participation among widely dispersed individuals.
• Ultimate convenience, when and where you choose.
• Interaction with and among individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to focus on participants' ideas, without knowledge of age, race, etc.
• Instantaneous or delayed communication modes.

Is Online Right For You?

Each person learns in a unique way, and whether or not an online course is right for you, is a decision that you must make for yourself. To be successful in an online environment, you also need to consider your learning habits, work patterns, and comfort zone.

• Be familiar with computer communication modes.
• Be open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.
• Be able to communicate through writing.
• Be self-motivated and self disciplined.
• Be willing to "speak up" if problems arise.
• Be willing and able to commit to 10 to 15 hours per week, per course.
• Be able to meet the minimum technical and academic requirements for the programs.
• Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
• You must have regular access to a computer and a modem.
• Be able to think ideas through before responding.
• You must know that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom.

Succeeding in Online Courses

Approximately two weeks before your online class begins, you will receive a welcome letter (either via your UW-Eau Claire email address or the US Postal Service). Follow this checklist according to your letter to ensure you are prepared for your online class.

Checklist:

• Order your textbook(s) early.
• Have any required software installed and tested before class begins.
• Be sure you have the correct software and hardware.
• Be sure that you meet any skill prerequisites.

Once your online class begins:

• Plan your study time wisely.
• Access your classroom several times a week.
• Keep all email regarding your courses.
• Ask questions.
• Actively participate.