Technical Requirements and Expectations for Online Courses
This will serve as a general guide. Changes may be made at any time and may vary by instructor. Please consult your instructor and course syllabi with specific questions.TECHNOLOGY REQUIRED FOR ONLINE COURSES
- Webcam
- Headset with microphone (preferred over internal mic)
- MS Office (2010 preferred) – including Word, Excel, PPT
- All online courses require mandatory participation in a minimum of four (4) Blackboard Collaborate sessions.
In addition to the required Blackboard Collaborate sessions and the required technology listed above, the following courses have specific technology requirements:
CM105, Public Speaking
You will be required to present speeches via Blackboard Collaborate in a live session
CS101, Computer Concepts & Applications
Requires a SimNet license. SimNet is web-based simulation software.
CS205, Computer and Systems Programming I
Requires Visual Studio and Alice 2.0, both which may be downloaded as freeware/shareware
CS210, Database Design and Management
Requires MS Access
CS233, System and Network Fundamentals
Requires a LabSim licence. LabSim is web-based simulation software.
CS234, Web site Programming and Development
Requires Adobe Dreamweaver, teacher and student edition.
CS400, Project Management
Requires MS Project, which is included as a free trial with the text book
ED200, 201, 209, ECE Internships
If you live out of state, or your internship site is located farther than a reasonable driving distance from a campus, you will be required to host 3 live, virtual site visits with your faculty internship coordinator via Collaborate
FL121-122, Elementary Spanish I & II
You will be required to create and present projects using PowerPoint with embedded voice notes
MG303, Managerial Communications
You will be required to present a final project with PPT via Blackboard Collaborate
MG450, Senior Project
You will be required to present a final project via Blackboard Collaborate
Additional courses may require presentations and the use of other voice tools. Each instructor has his or her own requirements.
SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Software
- Internet Browser - Mozilla Firefox is the recommended and preferred browser. You should be sure to always have the most up-to-date version.
- Javascript & Cookies must be enabled - You should be sure to always have the most up-to-date version of Java (www.java.com)
- Anti-Virus software
- MS Office – see above for Technology Required for Online Courses
Hardware
- Supported Operating System
a) Windows
b) XPWindows
c) VistaWindows 7
d) MAC OSX 10.5 or higher - High speed internet connection – hardwired is more reliable than wireless
- CD-ROM – may be required for some courses
- 2 GB of RAM
- 1 GB of free disk space
- Sound card & speakers
- Web cam & headset – see above for Technology Required for Online Courses
WHAT TO EXPECT IN ONLINE COURSES
- You will be required to use only your Fisher College email address only
- You will be required to participate in weekly discussion boards
- You will be required to attend at least 4 Blackboard Collaborate sessions. If live attendance is not possible, the sessions are recorded for later viewing.
- You should be willing to work independently, and be diligent about completing tasks in a timely manner
HOW TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ONLINE COURSES
- Log into Blackboard daily to check for announcement and/or new information
- Check your email daily
- Keep in constant contact with your instructor with e-mails, course assignment submissions, and discussion board postings.
- It is important to keep up with your readings and homework. Final grades are due within two days after the end of the course. Make sure that you finish your final exams and all course work on time.
- You should expect to spend an average of 10-15 hours a week per course.Be certain to read all the directions concerning assignments, requirements, and rules, and to complete all the readings and assignments and turn them in on the appropriate assigned dates.
- Contact your instructor with any questions. They are there to help you.
WHERE TO GO FOR HELP
FISHER COLLEGE EMAIL HELP - IS HELP DESK – 617-236-5464
Your Fisher College email password expires every 42 days. It is imperative that you do not ignore the email notification alerting you to the impending expiration. If you do become locked out of your email, you may contact the IS Help Desk or your Site Coordinator.
BLACKBOARD AND COLLABORATE HELP
1. http://ondemand.blackboard.com/students.htm
For interactive video explanations: How to submit an assignment, taking a test, checking your grades, posting to the discussion board, and many more.
Patrick McGovern - pmcgovern@fisher.edu or 617-236-5469
If you need one-on-one help with Blackboard or Collaborate, you may contact Patrick McGovern.
Students have until the first Monday of the second week of classes in order to drop or add courses and still be eligible for a tuition refund. Be certain to contact your Student Service Representatiave if you need to withdraw for any reason.
If you need to withdraw from a course at any later time, please contact the Division of Accelerated and Professional Studies immediately so an appropriate grade may be assigned and so that the student may be properly removed from the course. Fisher Online highly recommends that students contact both the course instructor and the Student Service Representative. After Monday of the second week, full tuition is charged. You may receive an "F" grade if you do not formally withdraw 10 days before the end of the term.
PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism consists of passing off the words or ideas of another as one's own and is a serious form of academic dishonesty. The College expects that every assignment, such as essays, research papers, lab reports, oral presentations, and examinations, be the product of the student whose name appears on the work. Every assignment must credit the sources from which information is obtained. Students can and should consult their faculty when particular questions arise as to when and how to properly acknowledge the work of others within a student's own oral or written expression. Students found guilty of plagiarism subject themselves to severe academic sanction including dismissal from the College. Please remember to site your sources when using electronic references.
Plagiarism Booklet (PDF)
Cheating:
Cheating is defined as the use of notes, slips, copying or other illegal means to give or receive answers during examinations. As with plagiarism, students found guilty of this form of academic dishonesty subject themselves to severe academic sanctions up to and including dismissal from the College. Additionally, re-using research papers for different courses is another form of cheating and will be subject to appropriate academic sanction.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fisher Online:
Phone: 866.309.6539
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs (EST) 9:00am-8:00pm EST, and Fridays 8:00am-4:00pm
E-mail: fisheronline@fisher.edu
Susan Dyer, Student Service Representative
sdyer@fisher.edu
Lisa Fey, Senior Online Education Academic Advisor
lfey@fisher.edu
Cara Chenes, Online Education Academic Advisor
cchenes@fisher.edu
Melissa Benson, Coordinator of Online Education
mbenson@fisher.edu
Patrick McGovern, Instructional Technology Support Technician
pmcgovern@fisher.edu
Brockton:
Phone: 774-296-7650
Office Hours: Office Hours: Mon-Thurs (EST) 9:00am - 6:00pm, Fridays 9:00am-4:00pm
Richard Potter, Site Coordinator
rpotter@fisher.edu
North Attleborough:
Phone: 508.699.6200
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs (EST) 9:00am - 8:00pm, Fridays 9:00am-4:00pm
Heidi DeMello
hdemello@fisher.edu
Kayla McCarthy, Student Representative
kmccarthy1@fisher.edu
New Bedford:
Phone: 508.998.3254
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs (EST) 9:00am-8:00pm, Fridays 9:00am-4:00pm
Donald Arruda, Site Coordinator
darruda@fisher.edu
Phyllis Soares, Student Representative
psoares@fisher.edu
Boston:
Phone: 617.670.4403
Office Hours: Mon-Thurs (EST) 9:00am-6pm, Fridays 9:00am-4:00pm
Alissa Bertram, Site Coordinator
abertram@fisher.edu