Here are the most commonly asked
questions about YCCC online courses
Click a
question to find the answer
Online courses at YCCC are classes that are
offered over the internet, which means that you
can complete your weekly assignments at the time
and place that is most convenient for you! Standard classroom books and printed
materials are typically used in combination with
online lectures, weekly learning activities, and
interactive class discussions.
Just as every classroom differs slightly, so
does the distance learning experience. Some courses have formal lectures that
are entirely text-based, while other lectures may
contain a combination of text, graphics, sound and
video. Many instructors divide course content into
highly interactive units that consist of group
discussions and other types of learning activities.
In all classes, you will communicate with your
instructor and fellow students through electronic
discussion board postings and e-mail.
In order to take an online course, you will need
basic computer skills such as word processing,
sending and receiving e-mail, and attaching and
downloading files. Because online courses are conducted
entirely over the World Wide Web, you will also need
reliable access to the internet.
Plan to spend as much time studying and
preparing for an online course as you would an on
campus course. The content and rigor of online courses
requires students to be self-motivated and
disciplined; successful online students also possess
excellent time management skills.
To find out if online learning is right for you,
take the student readiness survey!
Take a readiness assessment to learn if you are ready for an online course
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WebCT (short for Web Course Tools) is software
that instructors use to create a virtual
classroom. Students registered for online
courses can log-in to their course at any time
of the day to access class materials, discussion
board postings, and other interactive tools such
as mail and calendar postings.
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Online courses have the same start and end dates
as classes offered on-campus. Your online course
will follow YCCC's official academic calendar.
The Academic Calendar
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Online courses are conducted "asynchronously."
This means that you can access your course at
your convenience and at any time of the day.
Most instructors establish a participation
schedule at the start of the course, but it is
recommended that you log-in to your course at
least four to five times a week. Instructors generally post participation
guidelines in the course syllabus, on the
discussion board, or as a document in a Getting
Started section.
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Textbooks are required for all online courses.
You may purchase your books through the YCCC
Bookstore, and they will ship them directly to
you!
YCCC Bookstore
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Registration for online courses is the same as
for any other course at YCCC. Students may register in person, by mail,
by phone or fax. Please call enrollment services at (207) 646-9282 ext. 318 or 320 or visit
their website for more information.
Registration Information
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Depending on the class, assignments will be
submitted via email, discussion board postings,
and/or a digital drop box. Each instructor will
post directions for submitting assignments
either in the syllabus, on the discussion board,
or as a document in the Getting Started section
of the course. When in doubt, contact the instructor or
post a question to the appropriate section of
the course discussion board.
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While all online courses follow different
schedules, you should expect to complete several
informal activities and assignments on a weekly
basis. Formal assignments vary with each
instructor and may be due on a monthly basis. Consult your course syllabus and/or
course calendar to find information about
specific due dates.
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If
an instructor requires quizzes and exams as a
part of the course, you will be able to access
them through the quiz or assessment section of
the course. Carefully read all directions, due dates
and time limits for the test that you are
taking. Quizzes and exams that have time limits
and/or cutoff dates will become unavailable to
you once the time or date has passed. Students with accommodation plans should
contact their instructor prior to opening the
test.
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An
on-campus orientation for new online students is
held at the beginning of each semester. This
orientation will introduce you to an online
course and help you to get familiar with some of
the tools that you will be using. Orientation
dates and times are posted on the YCCC homepage,
on the Online Education page, and on posted
fliers at the YCCC campus.
You may also contact
Stefanie Forster at sforster@yccc.edu to find out the date and
time of the next orientation.
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A hybrid course is
a combination of classroom instruction and online
learning. Hybrid classes typically meet on campus once
a week for approximately an hour and a half with
additional activities assigned in an online
classroom.
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