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- An orientation to all online classes is required. It is held shortly before the semester begins or during the first week of classes. The orientation may be a face-to-face meeting, an online search or form, or a combination of these methods. Failure to attend or participate in orientation results in the student being dropped from the course. Students may often have a conflict between two or more distance education course orientation times. Faculty advisors should stress that it is the student's responsibility to resolve those conflicts and meet all orientation requirements without exception.
- All necessary online course information is available to read on the College's Internet Class page. You can access this information from the MTC Online Learning page . On the Internet Classes page students and faculty can find the instructor's email, specific instructions, a gateway to the online course syllabus, required hardware/software configurations, and directions for orientation for each online class. The MTC Online Learning page features a general self-assessment students can take to determine if an online course is right for them.
- Students must be sure their computers have the technical requirements for each course before enrolling in the course. To understand what is required students must go to the the MTC Online Learning page . Students indicating they are "getting a computer", or they are "getting email soon" often have difficulties starting and keeping up with online courses.
- Online courses definitely require strong student motivation and very strong student discipline. Research shows that active learners are most successful.
- Students who are good readers and writers will perform better in online courses. Three different reading skills are required. First, students must be good readers--the amount of reading is often doubled in web courses since students must read a text and online material. Second, students must be self-starting readers. All assignments, due-dates, and instructions are available on the web, but students must seek them out. Third, students must be good detail readers and proofreaders. The slightest spelling or syntax error can mean hours of frustration. Failure to read and follow directions can seriously harm student performance. Students may also have bad habits contributing to superficial reading such as "hitting" a page, or "checking it out." Course web pages contain too much information for this—students must go to the page, stop, and read the page with understanding.
- Online courses tend to require more hours per week than regularly scheduled classes. Faculty can point out that students save some time by eliminating driving, parking, and getting a baby-sitter. But, the time to organize their study, to complete assignments, and to review for exams adds up to a significant commitment.
- Online courses are not self-paced. It is not possible to enroll at any time, take tests at anytime, etc. Some courses allow students to test online and some require students to check into the test center for exams. Courses using the test center may allow students to go to both campuses, or may restrict testing to one campus only. There is flexibility, but all online courses require some scheduled events. It is the student's responsibility to meet these due dates for each course.
- Students who have a year or more of effective use of the Internet perform better in online courses.