How E-learning Works
Flexible. Convenient. Uncompromising Quality.

Online Courses fit your schedule. As an e-learner, you can access Blackboard Vista using any Internet connection, anytime, anywhere. Your 24/7 access allows you to download assignments, read and contribute to class discussions, review faculty feedback, and more. All of this flexibility—without compromising quality—plus our helpful, efficient support services and online resources will help keep you on track toward your goals.

Perhaps the most convenient way to learn.

With easy-to-use Internet access software, you’ll retrieve lectures, questions, and assignments from your instructor. You never have to rush to a class or miss a lecture because of a scheduling conflict. You will have access to a full range of online research libraries and services. You’ll also interact with other students, sharing ideas, debating issues, and learning from their experience. This upgrades the quality of your work before you conduct a more formal, academic review with the instructor. Throughout the class, your instructor will provide guidance and feedback on your progress.

Programs as challenging as they are rewarding.

While convenience and flexibility are unsurpassed, the online program does require a high level of discipline and does not allow students to "coast." It will challenge your ability to quickly assimilate new ideas, evaluate complex data, think creatively, and communicate effectively. But it will be rewarding.

Qualities of a successful online student

Students who are successful in the online environment are committed to their studies. Online classes do offer convenience and flexibility but they can be more demanding of time and energy than regular classes.

Online students need to:

• Use technology properly
• Log in regularly to participate in their classes, usually at least three times per week
• Plan their time well to ensure enough time to study and complete assignments
• Exercise self-discipline in order to complete assignments on time
• Take notes as they study
• Commit 6-9 hours per week per three-credit class
• Enjoy communicating in writing and reading the writing of others
• Be able to work with others to complete projects
• " Speak up" to their instructors when problems arise
• Quality input into your class is often an essential element of the online classroom experience. You must be willing to share your ideas, carefully consider your responses to the sharing of others, and be prepared, occasionally, to have your ideas challenged.

Computer & Connection Requirements

To be successful as an online student, it is important to have a computer system that can adequately support you in the tasks that you need to accomplish. You'll need to have access to a computer system that meets the minimum WMU requirements.

You will need to have a reliable connection to the Internet. You can set up a connection to the Internet by signing up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). There are many different ISPs available to choose from. Your local phone or cable company may offer Internet access.

You will need to have and frequently check your WMU e-mail account.

Basic Computer Skills

Online learning challenges some students without strong computer skills or with computer equipment that is not working properly. Here are some preliminary questions to ask yourself to see if you need to brush up on your skills.

• Can you create, save, find and manage files on your computer?
• Do you know how to install software on your computer if you need to?
• Do you currently have an email address?
• Do you know how to send and receive email attachments?
• Can you access email and the World Wide Web at least five times a week?
• Do you know how to "paste" text from a word processor into an email?
• If you do not have your own computer, can you arrange to use some other computer at least 2 hours per day?

If you hesitated to answer YES to any of the questions above, you may find the distance learning environment more challenging.