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Frequently Asked QuestionsWhy choose online? How do you determine if you are a good candidate for an online course? I've never taken an online course before. How will I know what to do? Am I required to complete an orientation every time I enroll for a Walsh online class? What types of online courses are available? What is the difference between Virtual (V), Blended (VB), and Hybrid (H) classes? What equipment do I need to take an online course? How do I access my online course? Do I need to buy a book for my online course? How will I get my username and password information for accessing the online course tool? I'm enrolled in a Hybrid/Blended (H or VB) course. Do I go to class the first week? When will my Hybrid (H) or Blended (VB) course show up in my list of courses? Can I take this class on my work computer? What if I need technical assistance while taking my course? Is there anything else I should consider? Q: Why choose online? A: The reasons to choose online are varied but some common reasons include:
Q: How do you determine if you are a good candidate for an online course? A: Successful Online learners should be:
Q: I've never taken an online course before. How will I know what to do? A: All students taking an online (V) or blended (VB) course for the first time are required to attend an orientation in order to learn course basics. This orientation is provided online or onsite. For more information about Student Orientations, please check the Orientation link on the Office of Online Learning home page. Q: Am I required to complete an orientation every time I enroll for a Walsh online class? A: No. Once you've taken either an onsite or online orientation, this requirement has been fulfilled. Q: What types of online courses are available? A: Online courses are very different from on-ground courses. At Walsh College there are three different models of online courses:
Q: What is the difference between Virtual (V), Blended (VB), and Hybrid (H) classes? A: There are notable differences in delivery style, meeting times, and level of technology usage:
Q: What equipment do I need to take an online course? A: The hardware you'll need is:
Note: Some courses may have additional course-specific software requirements. This will be noted on the respective syllabi. Q: How do I access my online course? A: Virtual courses, and the online portion of Blended and Hybrid courses, are accessed via course management software called "Eductor". You may access your course from any PC with an Internet connection, anywhere in the world (see above for Hardware / Software requirements). It is highly recommended that you access online courses using a broadband (Cable, DSL) connection, but you are free to use any ISP you like. If you do not have one, a good tool to search for local ISPs can be found by going to the List, http://www.thelist.com, which can be searched by area code. Many area ISPs are listed here with rates, services, and telephone exchanges serviced. Look for a company that lists your telephone exchange (first three digits of your telephone number) as a local call. Q: Do I need to buy a book for my online course? A: Yes, all online courses require a textbook. Call the bookstore at (248) 823-1615 with your course and section number, and they will be able to tell you which book(s) are required. Q: How will I get my username and password information for accessing the online course tool? A: New online students will have a letter delivered to them via U.S. Mail shortly after registering for courses containing username and password information. Please click this link to learn more about how to get your password for your online course. You will learn how to access your online course during the orientation session (for Virtual and Blended courses) or during the first night of class (for Hybrid courses). Q: I'm enrolled in a Hybrid/Blended (H or VB) course. Do I go to class the first week? A: Unless you hear from your instructor to the contrary, students who are enrolled in Hybrid or Blended (H or VB) courses should plan on attending class the first day that the class starts. See the registration book for the specific day of the week your class meets. Q: When will my Hybrid (H) or Blended (VB) course show up in my list of courses when I log on? A: Since Hybrid and Blended courses are not completely online, your instructor determines to what extent that the course tool will be used for the class. As such, your course may not appear in your list of courses by the time regular online courses begin. You will need to get in touch with your instructor to find out when/if the online part of the course will be made available to you. Q: Can I take this class on my work computer? A: That's between you and your employer. Some companies have a firewall that cannot accommodate the transfer of files required in an online course. If this will be your only method of access, you must resolve it before you sign up! There are modifications you can make, but you must look into this yourself (with your employer) before you make this decision. Q: What if I need technical assistance while taking my course? A: There are three types of assistance you may experience: technical problems with the course tool, content issues, and other Walsh technical issues. For course tool technical problems, click the Help! button in the tool. For content issues including when things will be graded, activated, and so on, you must contact your instructor. For other Walsh technical issues, contact the Walsh Help Desk at 1-248-823-1350. Q: Is there anything else I should consider? A: Most students like being able to work from home and choosing the time of day (or night!) they "go to class". They also find that they like the one-on-one email communication they have with the instructor, and the discussions they carry on with the rest of the class. However, there are other things to consider before signing up. Are you a self-starter?
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