General Questions & Answers

Just what is an Internet-based course?
In an Internet-based course, you, the student, do not attend any regularly scheduled classes. You communicate with other students and with our instructor via the Internet. The bulk of the course work, with the exception of text books, and specified exams, including the final exam, is transmitted to and from you via the Internet.

Why try this approach?
An Internet-based approach has the potential of offering several benefits. Since you do not have to attend any regularly scheduled classes, you do not have to be in a specific place at a specific time each and every week. You can do the required work when and where it is convenient for you. Also, since the class is offered in cyberspace, students from several campuses can easily participate in the same course. Courses are less likely to be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

Are Internet courses "real" college courses?
Internet courses at Fisher College carry the same number of credits as traditional courses and satisfy degree requirements in the same manner as courses taken in a classroom. The same learning outcomes identified for the classroom-based course will be pursued in the Internet-based sections and the traditional grading scale will be used as well.

How do Internet-based courses differ from their classroom-based counterparts?
There are differences in the way you "take" an Internet-based course as compared to a classroom-based course. The course instructors have adapted classroom experiences to Internet delivery. You may, for example, answer questions from the textbook's study guide on your PC rather than taking a quiz in the classroom. You may be required to "participate" in a discussion by writing your thoughts on a particular topic in a venue such as e-mail, World Wide Web page, or online discussion forum. Many courses and textbooks utilize CD-ROMs to instruct and create visual experiences (such as Anatomy Labs).

Why would I want to take an Internet-based course?
There could be several possible benefits for you to elect to take a course in this fashion. For many different reasons, some of our students find it very hard to attend classes for 2.5 hours, two nights a week for eight weeks. These students would benefit from the opportunity to learn the material and earn the credits at times and places convenient to them.

What are the minimum requirements to take an online class?

• A willingness to work independently.
• Familiarity with computers, MS Windows and an online environment are obvious skills needed to successfully navigate a Web-base course.
• An Internet connection.
• A Web browser that can accommodate both Javascript and Java. Blackboard® officially supports Microsoft Internet Explorer®. Please note that other browsers such as AOL, Netscape, Yahoo, MSN, or Opera may function with Blackboard® but are not officially supported.
• An e-mail account.

Am I Suited For Online Learning?

You will either thoroughly enjoy the convenience of making your own schedule and taking your class at home, or you may really miss the structure and "teacher-centered" education in a classroom setting! This is very understandable, and you may now know what type of education will best serve you and better understand your learning style:

"Active or Reflective Learner"

"Sensing or Intuitive Learner"

"Visual or Verbal Learner"

"Sequential or Global Learner"

You will enjoy this type of course and program more if you:

• Are highly motivated
• Are independent
• Understand your "Learning Style"
• Have good organizational skills
• Put a high value on "convenience"
• Can adapt to new environments easily
• Enjoy searching for information on your own
• Have a good working knowledge of your computer and basic computer applications
• Check your e-mail every day and can attach files and open attachments in your e-mail program
• Are disciplined
• Are not dependent on other class members and teachers to help you each class
• Are confident in your academic abilities
• Have successfully taken college courses in a classroom
• Consider yourself a "college-level" reader
• Consider yourself a mature adult with time management skills

What can I expect from an Online course?

1. Online courses are exactly the same as classroom courses in quality, objectives, credits and learning outcomes. They use a different "methodology" by using the Internet, instead of a "classroom."
2. Online courses are "Student Centered" rather than "Teacher Centered," so you will not sit and listen to long lectures and will not be required to log into your course at any specific time. Your teacher is a "facilitator" and will assist you in learning the material required; explain details clearly in writing; provide you with information links, CD-Roms and web materials and references; answer all e-mail questions (usually within 24 hours); correct all required work, papers, projects and quizzes as quickly as possible; and post your grade in your grade book.
3. You must be an "active" learner, not a "passive" learner who waits for the instructor to remind you to do your homework or to check on your progress every day, letting you know which assignments are missing. You will be successful if you take responsibility for your own learning; you keep the instructor informed of any personal issues or assistance that you may need; you communicate with other students in the class; you keep up with the assignments; you log into the course daily to for updates, e-mails and other pertinent information; and you complete the assignments for the course on time.
4. Expect to be graded on the value, content and timeliness of your work - not on other issues such as number of e-mails and questions, class dominance, past course performance or the number of apples for the teacher (grin). You can expect your teacher to give you as much of an opportunity to improve throughout your course, but all work must be completed by the timeline on the syllabus.
5. You will find that you learn more than you expected in these courses. By being an active learner, you will remember more of this course and feel more of a sense of accomplishment upon completion. Expect an online course to take you more time and energy than a classroom course, but the results are often that you learn more, too!
6. Students are often surprised to find that they feel they get to know their teachers and classmates better online than in a classroom, due to the number of e-mails and contacts, more active class discussions and interactions online during the weeks than in a formal classroom setting. (Shy students often comment that they participate more online than they have in any course taught in a traditional classroom setting.)
7. Expect that your teachers and classmates may be from any place in this state, country or from around the world! The Internet offers a wonderful opportunity to take classes with people you would not normally meet.
8. You will learn more than the content of the course: expect to learn how to do research online, how to utilize and experience new web sites, how to use more computer applications (such as NetMeetings, Adobe Acrobat, file attachments, voice-streaming, PowerPoint®, etc.), utilize new search engines and, most importantly, how to express yourself better in writing.
9. Technical and academic assistance:

Please note that the Fisher Online staff and administration are available to you before, during, and after your courses! The quickest way to contact us is through e-mail, though you may call us during normal work hours at 866-309-6539.