What is an Online Course?
In many ways online courses are quite similar to traditional courses. There are instructors, classmates, course materials and assignments. However, online learning offers much more flexibility and convenience because it is primarily asynchronous - anytime, anyplace. Although there is generally not a set time to attend scheduled classes, online courses are not self-paced. There are beginning and ending dates for each course, deadline dates for assignments and online discussions, and plenty of homework. Your instructor will monitor your class participation, evaluate your homework assignments and exams, and assign grades accordingly.
In an online course, instructors and students communicate via the Internet using a course management system called Blackboard Vista. Blackboard Vista provides various tools that enable instructors to:
- Present course materials
- Assign homework, give quizzes and tests
- Provide feedback and grades
- Communicate by using announcements, mail, discussion boards, and chat tools
Metro State offers many courses from a variety of disciplines in an online format. There are three different types of online courses listed in the course schedule:
- Online - An Online class does not require students to come to the Auraria campus for any purpose, nor does it require them to go to a site where exams or other activities will be proctored. There is an online fee of $23.00 per credit hour for all online classes.
- Mostly Online - A Mostly Online class requires students to come to the Auraria Campus or go to an alternative site for exams or other activities, but instruction and most activities are online. There is an online fee of $23.00 per credit hour for all Mostly Online classes.
- Hybrid - A Hybrid class provides some instruction on the Auraria campus or another location at scheduled meeting times in a designated location. The rest of the instruction is online. There are no online fees for Hybrid classes. However, there are mandatory student fees.
Online courses provide a way for you to take classes to further your education, advance your career, or just learn about new subjects without commuting to campus on a regular basis or spending time away from your family.
