How are online courses similar to traditional courses?
WNCC's online courses are similar to traditional courses in the following ways:
The calendar for registering, adding, dropping and withdrawing from an online course is the same as an on-campus class.
WNCC online courses have a syllabus that explains the requirements for completing the course. Just as in a traditional course, students are expected to complete the assignments by the deadlines established by the instructor.
In a traditional course, students interact with the instructor and other students. WNCC online courses provide opportunities for communication between students and faculty via discussion.
Reading is as important in online courses as it is in traditional courses. In most cases online students will need to purchase books.
Online credit courses developed and offered by Western Nebraska Community College are academically equivalent to the same course offered on-site and count toward program requirements exactly the same way the same course offered on-site would.
How are online courses different than traditional courses?
WNCC's online courses are different than traditional courses in the following ways:
Online students don't meet at the WNCC campus or center ( unless as might be noted in the course syllabus for exams or other activities ). Students are expected to regularly log in to the course from a computer with internet access from home, a computer lab, or work.
Communication in online courses is done through course tools such as email, discussion boards, and chat rooms.
Online courses require the student to assume a higher degree of responsibility in the learning process:
Since online students do not hear lectures in a traditional classroom, they must acquire basic course concepts in other ways.
Online students are expected to complete readings, research activities, quizzes, and projects that are developed to facilitate the understanding of course concepts.
Online students, like online faculty, must plan to devote quality time each week to the online course. Even though there is not a set time or day to be present, students are encouraged to spend an equal amount of time logged in to the course as they would in a traditional course. Course access can be monitored by the instructor.
Students register online, by phone or in person during the registration period indicated on the class schedule. Classes begin the first day of the semester. Registration details can be found here.
Information about accessing online courses can be found here.
Students are expected to log in to online courses the first day of classes or the day they register, if the course is added during the drop/add period.
Information about tuition and fees can be found here .
Online faculty use many of the same evaluation strategies that are used in on-campus classes. Students might use an assignment dropbox or email for submitting papers or written assignments.
Some courses are developed so that students take online quizzes and exams.
Instructors can evaluate student progress by noting when course materials are accessed by individual students as well as through participation in discussion groups.
Individual instructors inform students about the evaluation tools they will be using.
There may be some cases when an online course requires that students take a proctored or supervised exam. If this is a concern, please contact the instructor before registering for the online course. Instructor email addresses are available in the published class schedules during registration periods.
Students communicate with online instructors through e-mail, online discussion boards, web conferencing and chat rooms. Students may make appointments for a face-to-face appointment with their instructor. Contact information and preferences will be available in the course information.
Students communicate with one another using the same methods that are used to communicate with the instructor: e-mail, online discussion boards, web conferencing and chat rooms. It's not unusual for online students to communicate more with the instructor and other students than they might in a traditional classroom.
What are the minimum computer requirements for taking an online course?
To take an online course students must have a Pentium class PC or PowerPC Mac or higher with Internet connectivity, a web browser, a CD-ROM, and the required software.
Instructors may require additional course-specific software. Check the online course's information page here to find out if your class has any additional computing requirements.
What are the minimum computing skills I need to be successful in an online course?
Since the computer is serving as the interface between students, the course material, and the instructor, it is important that you have these minimum computing skills:
Knowledge of how to properly turn the computer on and off and how to open and close programs.
The ability to type papers in a Word processor (like Microsoft Word) and save them in the format specified by the instructor--usually .rtf, .html, or .doc files. You will not be sending handwritten assignments through the mail.
Familiarity with email--composing and reading, and sending attachments.
Knowing how to locate and open files on your computer's hard disk, CD-ROM, and a floppy disk.
The ability to download and install plug-ins. Your instructor may require that you download and install small programs which allow certain types of files to be opened or played. (Examples: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Flash Player, Real Player)
What if I'm not sure online learning is for me? Is there a way I can find out more?
First, take WNCC's Online Learning Readiness Self-Assessment here.
This tool will help you to decide if now is the right time for you to take an online course, or if you have some skills that you should acquire first.)
View a sample online course here. (Login instructions are included. Feel free to log in with the guest account and explore. You can't hurt anything!)
Contact Jackie Jacobsen in the WNCC Multimedia Development Center ( jackie@wncc.net ) or the instructor listed in the schedule.
To see available online credit courses, visit the Class Schedules, select the "ONLINE COURSES" option under Academic Grouping, the term you wish to view, and click the View Available Sections button.
It is important to know that online courses follow the same academic calendar as traditional on-site courses. You may only register during the open registration period for any given term.
Credit courses delivered through WebCT can be viewed here. Select the term you wish to see and click "update".
WNCC offers a Medical Transcription program entirely online through Career Steps. See details here.
WNCC also offers non-credit community interest courses through Ed-2-Go. More information can be found here.
Where do online students get textbooks?
Online students purchase books and other required materials for online courses at the Cougar Bookstore. The bookstore will make arrangements to ship course materials directly to students taking online courses.
What Library Resources are available to me as an online student?
WNCC Library provides a number of services to students who are taking online courses. Go to the WNCC Library page for contact information.
Download the Adobe Acrobat Reader 