Moodle

Moodle Online Courses

What to expect from an online class

Just as your class environment varies from course to course and instructor to instructor, so too do online classes. Generally speaking, there is more reading and writing involved in an online class, because those are the primary modes of communicating. Class participation is usually facilitated through an activity called a “forum,” which is similar to a threaded discussion or online bulletin board. In this scenario, an instructor may pose a question to the class and require a response, or “post” from each student within a certain number of days. The instructor may also require that each student responds to at least one or two posts from other students. This is how the discussion begins. The advantage to this mode over an actual classroom discussion is that assertive and less assertive students are on an equal playing field. Students can give their responses more thought and consideration in an online class.

Some classes will include audio and/or video content, and PDF or Word documents to be downloaded by the student. Also, links to related information on Web sites may also be included.

Although the media are different, there are actually many similarities in online and traditional course delivery. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself how you would handle the situation in a traditional setting. Chances are, there is a similar course of action online as well.

Homework assignments may be delivered to the student and submitted to the instructor through Moodle, although many instructors choose to use email instead. There are activities that allow students to communicate and collaborate as groups, and provide the ability to participate in online, real-time “chats” with classmates.