Online Learning

San Joaquin Delta College offers a number of courses and programs online, via the Internet. Numerous online course sections are scheduled each fall and spring semester, and during the summer term. Students access these courses from their own computer, and in most cases, on-campus attendance is not required. Online courses offer an attractive option to those who work full-time, have children to care for during the day, or who live too far from campus to conveniently commute. This option also appeals to those who simply like the online learning environment.

Courses that replace some in-class time with online work are termed hybrid. Fully online courses (those that do not have any on-campus meetings) are referred to as Online. The method of instruction to be used is noted in the Schedule of Classes.

Most course offerings fall in the General Education category but range from Administration of Justice to Business, Child Development to Computer Science, Horticulture to Social Science. Check the current Schedule of Classes for exact online course offerings. The schedule is available online at www.deltacollege.edu.

Advanced computer skills are not required to enroll in these courses, but students should be familiar with basic operations such as email, copy-and-paste, attaching files (to an email message, for example), using a word processor, and how to navigate through the Web using a Web browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox.

Delta College promotes and ensures academic honesty in online courses in several ways. Courses are held in password protected online environments that provide the instructor and students with tools to share information, collaborate, discuss, and evaluate learning. Tools such as Turnitin.com are used to teach online students to value and practice academic honesty.

To increase the likelihood of a successful outcome, prospective online students should ask themselves the following questions before registering for an online course:

1. Do I have good time management skills? Can I set aside sufficient time each day to work on my online course? Am I self-motivated? (If you need the structure of a traditional course that meets on set days and times, then perhaps online learning is not for you.)
2. Do I have basic computer skills? Can I type reasonably well? Do I know how to use my word processing program? (If you're not clear on the difference between email and Google, or don't know how to copy-and-paste text between two documents, then perhaps online learning is not for you.)
3. Do I have regular access to a reliable computer with consistent connection to the Internet? (If you plan on using only other people's computers, perhaps online learning is not for you - yet.)
4. Do I learn well when reading course material, or do I learn better when hearing material? Classroom lectures, for example. (Online courses are composed primarily of written material; if you have difficulty with reading, or are more successful when there is oral presentation, then perhaps online learning is not for you.)

Here is a detailed questionnaire you may want to use to evaluate your readiness for online education.

1. How regularly will you be able to log on to the Internet to work on this course?
   1. Only once a week.
   2. At least twice a week.
   3. Probably once every two weeks.
   4. I don't know for sure.
2. Do you know how to use a web browser (Firefox or Internet Explorer) to get around the net?
   1. Yes. I browse the net frequently.
   2. Somewhat. I have not had much exposure to it.
   3. I have only seen my friends use it.
   4. No, but I am willing to learn.
3. Do you know how to use a standard word processor, such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Works, or Word Perfect?
   1. Yes. I am pretty comfortable with word processing.
   2. Somewhat. I rely on the help of lab aides.
   3. I don't know the name of my word processor.
   4. No. I prefer my typewriter.
4. Do you have basic knowledge of email?
   1. Yes. I have an email account.
   2. No, but I can learn.
   3. No. I prefer "snail mail."
   4. I don't know how email works.
5. How comfortable are you working with computers?
   1. I find working with computers interesting.
   2. I always seem to mess up my system's settings.
   3. I don't like computers, but I understand that they are important today.
   4. I am not sure how I feel about technology.
6. How will you handle the situation if your computer (or software) breaks down at some point during the course?
   1. I expect my instructor to be understanding and give me extensions.
   2. I will get it fixed immediately and will use another system in the meantime.
   3. I cannot afford for things to go wrong.
   4. Nothing will go wrong. I have good equipment.
7. Can you meet deadlines without needing frequent prodding?
   1. I tend to fall behind most of the time.
   2. I am a terrible procrastinator.
   3. I generally meet my deadlines.
   4. It depends on whether or not I like the project.
8. Will you be able to set aside some time to participate in weekly online discussions?
   1. Yes. I have budgeted time for this course.
   2. Not weekly. I am too busy.
   3. Maybe. My schedule varies from week to week.
   4. I do not know for sure.
9. How capable are you of determining main ideas and concepts when reading your college textbooks?
   1. I am a good reader.
   2. I prefer listening to reading about things.
   3. I have to hear information in order to retain it.
   4. I usually don't remember what I read.
   5. I don't know the level of my reading skills.
10. Are you a self-motivated, independent learner?
    1. I find studying alone a positive challenge.
    2. I need the stimulation of a group.
    3. I like working alone, but I need frequent prodding.
    4. It depends on the season.
11. Which of the following describes your time management skills?
    1. I need to be reminded of deadlines.
    2. For the most part, I get things done on time.
    3. I often miss deadlines because I am doing too much.
    4. I am not very organized with my time.
12. How much time do you expect to spend studying for this course?
    1. I can dedicate about four to six hours a week for studying.
    2. The same amount as attending and studying for a traditional course (10 hours).
    3. Less time since the class does not meet.
    4. I do not know what to expect.
13. How good are you at following directions on assignments?
    1. I like it when instructors go over homework directions orally.
    2. I have difficulty understanding directions and frequently need clarification.
    3. I can read and follow directions on my own.
    4. I cannot follow directions very well.
14. Do you know how to turn your system on and off properly?
    1. Yes. I know my system's "shut down" process.
    2. Yes. I just press the power switch.
    3. No, but I am willing to learn.
    4. I am not sure what you mean by "properly."
15. Are you comfortable using a mouse?
    1. Yes.
    2. Somewhat, but I need to work on it.
    3. No, I prefer using the keyboard.
    4. I don't like rodents.
16. How good are your keyboarding skills?
    1. I am a decent typist. I type my own work.
    2. I use the "hunt and peck" approach; it's painfully slow, but I get the job done.
    3. I have others type my papers for a small fee. :-)
    4. I am an awful typist!
17. Are you comfortable with file management on your computer, such as moving files around different directories and drives, saving files, or deleting files?
    1. Yes. I am pretty comfortable.
    2. Somewhat. I cannot always find my files.
    3. No, but I can get help from friends or family members.
    4. No, but I am a quick learner.
18. Have you used a browser to surf the net?
    1. Yes. I spend quite a bit of time on the net.
    2. Some. My friends seem to spend endless hours on it.
    3. Very little, but I can learn how to use it.
    4. I don't know what you mean by "browser."
19. How will you handle the situation if your Internet connection is interrupted for a period of time?
    1. I will use a lab on campus or a friend's computer.
    2. I will wait until things get resolved.
    3. I will ask the instructor for extensions on the assignments.
    4. I will get very upset. I do not like it when things go wrong.
20. How do you feel about taking a class over the Internet?
    1. I don't have time to take a traditional class.
    2. I am nervous about it. I am not sure it is for me.
    3. I do not look forward to it, but I need the course.
    4. I look forward to the experience.

Answer Key for best answer: 1. b; 2. a; 3. a; 4. a; 5. a; 6. b; 7. c; 8. a; 9. a; 10. a; 11. b; 12. b; 13. c; 14. a; 15. a; 16. a; 17. a; 18. a; 19. a; 20. d

The above 20 questions were developed by Vivian Sinou as part of a grant from the Chancellor's Office for the California Community College Distance Learning Consortium, 1999-00. It may be freely used as long as proper acknowledgment is given.

To view a list of online classes, refer to the Schedule of Classes on the college Web site, www.deltacollege.edu.