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Is Online Learning For Me?

What Is An Online Course?
Courses offered for degree credit by University of La Verne's Online Learning Center are regular university courses normally offered in the classroom that have been adapted to take full advantage of the unique educational opportunities of the World Wide Web. They cover the same material have the same prerequisites, and fulfill the same requirements as the classroom courses, but they can be taken from the student's home or office at times convenient to the student. Textbooks, term papers, library research, class discussions, examinations, presentations, and other components of traditional courses are part of ULV Online courses, but the classroom is virtual and the worldwide resources of the Web are at the students' fingertips.

Online Course Computing Requirements
You will need, at minimum, a personal computer with a Pentium II processor operating at 450MHz or more. A DSL Internet connection is preferred, however a 56K dial-up modem is a sufficient alternative. Your computer should have the most recent version of the appropriate browser and application software installed. Microsoft Internet Explorer (Version 5.0 or better) is the preferred browser software as it interfaces most effectively with Blackboard. Netscape Communicator may be used as an alternative, however, users may encounter technical difficulties.

Working knowledge of Internet navigation, e-mail usage, discussion postings and chat room participation is necessary for success in the online learning environment. However, technical/instructional assistance is available for further clairification in these areas.

Time Commitments
Students tend to have the misconception that online courses will require less time and work. This is not a correct assumption. Although online courses save time in commuting, they may end up being more time consuming in the long run due to the attention to detail required by this mode of learning. Depending on the course content and design, time may be spent on any number and/or combination of the following: