At GCU, online classes are held on our Learning Management System. Students can access their textbooks here, watch lectures, interact with peers and use other helpful features.
If you’ve never taken an online class before, it can be helpful to check out some tips for taking online classes. The following steps are all part of the process of taking online classes, including helpful tips:
Some online courses require you to meet live via video chat to watch a lecture from the professor or participate in group work. Other online courses will be done on your own time. Before your online class begins, it is important to make sure you have set aside time to complete your readings and assignments each week.
You also need to be sure that you have the right technology to get online. Technology requirements will vary by program. In general, be sure to own or have access to a laptop or a desktop computer with sufficient memory to view or download the course materials. You may be watching videos or reading online textbooks, so be sure that the screen you use is large enough for you to notice details and read comfortably.
You will also need a reliable internet connection. If any special software is required for the course, your university will let you know where to download it or how to purchase it. Check the requirements for your particular program and ensure that any software is downloaded and installed before class begins.
Once the start date for your online class arrives, you will need to log in. You will likely log in by signing into the student portal area. You should then be able to see the courses you have signed up for. Once you have clicked into your online course, you should be able to see the structure.
Many colleges use course management systems such as Canvas and Blackboard. GCU uses Halo. These systems help professors structure the course by week or by unit. The links within each week or unit will take you to the readings and assignments you need to complete. These course management systems may also include discussion boards and ways for you to interact with your peers and professor.
If you need help managing the online course structure or the course management system, make sure you let your professor know right away. They may be able to walk you through what you need to know, or they could recommend that you contact IT for more help.
Once you have logged into your class, you will complete the work assigned. If you are enrolled in a synchronous course, you will listen to the lectures and participate in discussions. If you are in an asynchronous online class, you will do the reading and watch the lecture videos or listen to audio recordings of your professor on your own time, while following the deadlines of the coursework.
All of these resources are recorded and uploaded into the course management system so that you can access them easily. They generally show up as texts or slideshows with links that will open new tabs in your browser for you to access the material.
Depending on the class you take, you may need to listen to or read through information several times a week. In other courses, you may be able to complete all of the reading and lectures at once and spend the rest of your week working on other assignments. Overall, the workload will vary by course.
