Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for
Online Courses at Northeastern State University
Is there a prerequisite for my course?
There may be academic prerequisites for your course. You need to
consult the college catalog (Click
here for the online edition) to determine if and what those academic prerequisites
may be. There are also computer and computing skill requirements for your online
course.
What are those computer requirements?
First you have to have a computer with internet connections or access to
one (NSU computer labs or libraries, a public library, a friend or family member,
etc.). Second, you have to have an e-mail account (it does not have to
be a university account). You should also be able to use e-mail including
the use of attachments.
What are the computing skill requirements?
You should be familiar with the Windows operating system, wordprocessing,
and the internet. You should be able to log into NSU’s network using
your NSU user Id and password. If you do not have a NSU user Id, you will
be told how to get it when the course starts.
When does the course start?
Online courses follow the same schedule as face to face (F2F) classes.
I have things to do. Can I start
early?
We are only authorized to run online courses during the same time
frame as regular courses. Also a number of activities are integrated
with other parts of the course. What you can do is get the textbook
now and start reading. This should help with your time problems.
What is the Textbook for this course?
Check with the course instructor to determine the correct textbook for
your course. Click here
for a list of faculty and their contact points.
How can I get the textbook?
The textbook is available from the NSU Bookstore at 1-888-879-0020 or if
you would like to check out the ordering procedures, Click
here. You also can use any one of the online book ordering services or bookstores.
How do I know if I am ready to take an online class?
I have gathered a number of web sites that try to help you answer that
question with quizzes and advice. They can be found by Clicking
here. You will note that there are also links there to sites
that explain online education as well as sites that give advice on how to be
successful in your online course.
Do I have to come to campus for anything?
Your instructor would be happy to see you, but you will usually NOT need
to come to campus for this online course. You will use the internet as
well as a course management software called Blackboard to do your course work.
Note: A few online courses require certain types
of attendance, check with the course instructor if this could be a problem for
you.
How do I enroll in the online course?
You enroll in the online courses using the same procedures that you use for enrolling in F2F classes.
Once I have enrolled, what do I do?
In addition to getting the textbook, you need to send your instructor an
e-mail message. The message should include: Your name; the course you
have enrolled in (your instructor may be teaching more that one online course);
your mailing address; your telephone number (s), please tell me which number
is which (work, home, cell, etc.); your NSU user Id (but not the password);
and your e-mail address if it is different form the one you used to send the
message.
Do I have to be in Blackboard at the same time
as the other students?
This may be one of those maybe and no answers.
Maybe, some instructors require students to be online at certain times. An
example of this would be if the class uses live chat where the instructor and
students communicate in real time.
No, other instructors do not require you to be online at any certain time
as long as you complete the work and meet the deadlines that you will see in
the Course Schedule, you can be online at 2:00 pm or 2:00 am. It is suggested
that you be online at least twice a week (most will be online more often than
that), but when you choose to do the work is your choice. That is one
big advantages of online courses.
Are there tests?
This could be a yes or no answer. It depends on your instructor and how
the course was designed.
If there are tests, how do I take them?
Online, like the rest of the course.
Are there any problems with taking tests online?
The majority of problems that we are having with testing online or other
issues center around your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and you having up
to date browser software.
What, do I need DSL?
While having access to a T1 line, DSL line or a cable modem would make
things faster and as a result a little easier, I work on my online courses from
home using a dial up modem which because of the phone line never goes faster
than 26.4 kb ps. It works well most of the time (except for large downloads).
If it is not speed, then what is the problem?
There two major problems with ISPs. The first is only found with
a few of them. Some ISPs just do not seem to be compatible with our network
and Blackboard. They just do not fit right. They have the same problems
with other universities so it is not just a problem at NSU.
Which ISPs have problems?
The major problem seems to be with America On Line (AOL). As AOL
has a lot of interface problems with other systems as well, this is not
a surprise that it has conflicts with ours. In my experience, Earth
Link and Juno also seem to have a few problems but not close to number problems
that AOL has.
You mentioned two major problems, what is the second?
The second problem is what is called “timing out”. It is a
problem with dial up modems.
What is timing out?
When you connect to your ISP, some ISPs set a timer so that if they
do not detect any activity for a certain period of time, they disconnect
you from their system. They assume that you failed to log out and have
quit using your connection. The ISP wants to make it available for
their other customers.
Why is that a problem?
When taking a examination, which could last a hour or more, your ISP will
not “see” your activity. It will think you are not active
and therefore disconnect you from the internet. When you try to send your
completed exam, it will not work. Blackboard, which thinks you took the
exam, will not let you do it again (unless it is fixed by your instructor).
So, what do you suggest that I do?
As to the compatibility problem, I would either use a computer not connected
through AOL or change to another ISP.
What if I still want to use AOL?
If you are an AOL customer and you use the AOL browser, you may have
difficulty using Blackboard for internet courses. If you use AOL, you should
install a Netscape or Internet Explorer browser (they are both free, see below
for links for downloading) and use it to connect to your course. Do not connect
to the course with the AOL browser. DO NOT USE AOL FOR
TAKING EXAMINATIONS!!! You should connect to the Internet using
AOL, then minimize the AOL browser and use one of the two recommended browsers
for your course.
What about the timing out, I do not want to loose my exam work?
The first solution that I would suggest is calling the service department
of your ISP. Explain that you are taking an online course which includes
testing and that you need to make sure that you will not be timed out (in other
words, if they use timers, take them off your account).
What if they say they cannot (or will not) take
the timer off my account?
Change ISPs.
You said that there was another solution?
There is software that sends what your ISPs' system sees as internet activity
so that your ISP thinks your doing things on the internet. I have not
tested the compatibility with Blackboard, so I do not know if it will cause
problems. If I find a compatible program, I will post a link here.
Is there anything else that I can do so that I
do not have problems with taking an examination?
I recommend that you turn off your computer and reboot just before taking an
examination. You may also want to clear your browser's cache memory.
This way every thing will be “clean” for the exam and you will
have a new start with your ISP's connection and any time keeping. In addition
you should have the most up to date copy of your browser software. Following
are links to the update page of the four most used browsers:
Click
here for Netscape
Click
here for Opera
Click
here for MS Internet Explorer
Click
here for mozilla Firefox
Are there any special problems
with any of the above browsers?
With MS Internet Explorer you need
to make sure that you do not tell the browser to disconnect a dial up connection.
To check this go to Tools, Internet Options, and Connections. Make sure
that that the disconnect after a period of time box is unchecked.
Are there any problems with
online learning?
Across the country, online learning has a higher dropout
rate and "did not finish" rate than do F2F classes. If you have a problem, you
need to communicate with your instructor as quickly as you can so that something
can be done. Waiting will just make matters worse.
How do I get help or advice?
In online courses, most of the interaction between the professor and the
student is by e-mail. You also may call or come go to see your instructor
if that would be better for you. You should note the office and class
hours under Faculty Information before doing either.
Are there any rules for e-mailing?
You should check with
your instructor to determine if the course has any guidelines for using e-mail.
What
is my instructors e-mail address?
Click here to find
your instructor's e-mail address.
