elearning: Distance Student Services Student Guide

(1)

eLearning: Distance Student Services

Student Guide

University of Alaska Anchorage eLearning: Distance Student Services

3211 Providence Drive Anchorage, Alaska 99508

(2)

What is eLearning?

With the advances in technology, universities are seeing an increase in a want and need for online education. The eLearning Office works to support instructors and students with online courses offered by UAA. Courses that are described as eLearning, online, web or distance education are all similar – these are not your traditional on campus courses. Online courses use educational media and educational technology to deliver the course content and materials to students. Most of these courses with UAA are completed online through the use of Blackboard. Blackboard will “host” a course site where the instructor can post syllabi, assignments, and grades. UAA online courses still operate under the semester schedule set by UAA and they are not individually paced [instructors will most often still have deadlines for assignments or exams].

Continue through this student guide to learn more about online courses and the suggested steps to take to help you get ready for an online course.

Characteristics of an eLearning Student

An eLearning online course can require more time and effort than a traditional college course. Do not assume that an online course is easier than an on campus course. They require as much studying (8-10 hours per week for a 3 credit course) and successful online learners will:

- Manage time well and be self-disciplined

- Communicate with the instructor and classmates - Complete course work with little direction - Learn & use new technologies

(4)

Online Course Requirements

On the first day of class, students should log in to Blackboard and see their registered online course listed. Depending on how an instructor formats their course, students will be required to know how to:

- Check announcements made by the instructor - Complete and submit assignments

- Engage in online class activities, such as class discussions and group projects. - Take quizzes and exams

Each course is designed differently, thus it is extremely important to check the course syllabus for instructions on all course lectures, assignments, exams and course policies. Below are basic recommendations for necessary hardware/software but always check with your instructor or syllabus for more specifics.

General requirements:

- A computer

- Word processing software - Internet access

Specific hardware & software requirements:

- 300mhz Pentium III (PC) or 500mhz PowerPC (Mac) - 128 megabytes of RAM or greater

- Internet Connection (DSL or greater)

- Firefox or Google Chrome (latest version available) - Word processing software (Microsoft Office 2010 or

newer) Audio Conference Requirements

Some online courses may include an audio conference portion. An audio-conference course is a course that relies upon teleconferencing technology to enable instructors and students to converse in "real-time" through a conference call. Participants of this type of course use a toll-free number and pass-code to dial on a common telephone line at a pre-arranged date and time.

Video Conference Requirements

(5)

How to Look for eLearning Courses

To register for a UAA online course, please make sure you have submitted an application for enrollment with the university first. There are different types of applications to submit – you can view the options and apply at UAOnline, select “Apply for Admission”.

Registration for a distance course at UAA is the same process as traditional courses. You can register online at UAOnline by logging in with your university username/ID # and password. For

assistance call the Enrollment Services department with UAA at 907-786-1480.

When looking up courses to add in UAOnline, please follow these steps: 1. Select “Class Schedule”

2. Select the semester you are interested in at “Search by Term”

3. Select the campus you are interested in at “Campus”. There are many campuses to

choose from – please scroll the entire list for available options.

4. Select eLearning courses only at “Type of Course Delivery”. This is the most important

step as it will only search for online courses.

5. Select one or more subjects you are interested in at “Subject”.

Notes

- You can leave the “Keyword Search” and “Course Number” blank. This is recommended so you do not miss potential courses.

- To register for a course, log in to UAOnline with your username/password, select “Student Services”, “Registration”, and then “Register/Add/Drop Classes”. You can now follow the steps above to find the course.

(6)

Get Started Guide

Use the following steps as a guide to help you get started with your online course(s).

1. Check your UAA username and password for Blackboard and university email (New Students)

 All Distance Education courses are located on UAA Blackboard. Log on to www.uaa.alaska.edu/classes.

 To obtain your username go to, https://me.uaa.alaska.edu. Select “Option 3: Find My UA Username and ID #” and enter the required information. You will use this

username to log onto your UAA Blackboard account and your university email.  You should also set up a password which is done through the same website, “Option

2: Activate My Account/Reset My Password”. Complete the required fields and choose a password for your account.

 Important course information will be sent to your UAA email account. To forward your account to another email address, browse to https://me.uaa.alaska.edu and login using your username/password combination. Click on the gear (top right side of the page) and select Settings. Once you click on the “Forwarding and POP/IMAP” tab, you can set up a forward to another email account.

 Questions or problems? Call the UAA IT Services Call Center at 907-786-4646 Option 1 [Toll-Free (877)-633-3888]. Hours: M-F 6am-12am, Weekends 8am-5pm

2. Order your UAA course materials

 For online courses offered by UAA – Main Campus, go to http://bookstore.uaa.alaska.edu .

 Roll over the Textbooks circle and select “View/Order”.

 Then select “View/Order Distance Education Textbooks” found in the middle of the page, followed by “Click to Order Distance Education Textbooks”. You can now search or input your course information to pull up required materials.

 For assistance, call the UAA Bookstore at (907) 786-1151.

(7)

3. Review the Blackboard Orientation for Students course

 Log on to Blackboard and there should be a course listed titled “Blackboard Orientation Course for Students”. This is a course maintained by our office for students to become familiar with many Blackboard tools. You will find examples and directions on how to use tools such the discussion board, taking quizzes, Collaborate, and more.

4. Log on to UAA Blackboard on the first day of class

 You will see your online course show up in Blackboard once the instructor has made it available for students to view, which should be done by the first day of class.  Here you will find your course syllabus, announcements, assignments, and instructor

contact information.

5. Set up your proctored exams.

 Some online courses use proctored exams throughout the semester. Your instructor or syllabus will let you know if this is the case.

 If your course does require one or more proctored exams, you will need to the following steps:

o Complete a proctor request form

o Make an appointment with your proctor site

 There is more detailed information on how to complete these steps in the following pages.

6. Regularly check Blackboard & UA email.

(8)

Proctored Exams

Some UAA eLearning online courses will require proctored exams for completion of the course. Your instructor will list on the course syllabus information regarding any needed proctored exams. If these exams are proctored you will need to submit a proctor request form, per the instructions below. Wehether you live outside of Anchorage, outside of Alaska, or traveling out of the country, we will still be able to assist you in taking exams. All proctor information MUST be turned in by the deadline dates for the current semester – this ensures our office has time to process and distribute exam materials to your proctor.

 To submit your eLearning Proctor Request Form

Go to www.uaa.alaska.edu/eLearning and select “Proctored Exams”. Select the online Proctor Request Form and check to see if you are located near a preapprove testing site. If you see a location near you, proceed with completing and submitting the form. You

must select the EXAM SITE closest to you. For example if you want to test in Palmer or Wasilla, Alaska you must use the Mat-Su College site.

Preapproved Proctor Site Contact Information

Approved Proctor Sites Contact Phone Number

Elmendorf AFB 907-753-0204

Haines Library 907-766-2545

Kachemak Bay-Homer 907-235-1601

Kenai Peninsula College 907-262-0227

Kodiak Ext Site 907-486-1232

Mat-Su Testing Center 907-745-9713

Prince William Sound-Cordova 907-424-7598

Prince William Sound-Valdez 907-834-1600

Seward Library 907-224-4082

UAA-DSS 907-786-4530

UAF Bristol Bay 907-842-5109

(9)

 To submit your Alternate Proctor Request Form

If you do not see a preapproved testing site near your location, you will need to find a proctor in your area and submit an Alternate Proctor Request Form to the eLearning Office. This form is a PDF which will require the student to print, complete, and fax/scan to our office. An alternate proctor must follow the rules listed below:

Proctor Guidelines:

1. The proctor cannot be a family member, friend, or coworker.

2. The proctor must be employed by an educational institution or public library. [Examples are a public school system, university campus, etc. (cannot be a substitute

teacher/coach).]

3. The proctored exam must occur at the place of business during normal business hours (& not a residence).

4. The proctor must be available to talk to an eLearning Representative for verification before any exam materials are sent out.

5. The proctor must be able to receive email with attachments and be able to print any documents needed. Also they need to have access to a scanner to send completed exams back to DES. A scanner is preferred but a fax machine will work as well. 6. For exams requiring a computer, the proctor must have a computer for the student to

use with access to Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox.

***Forms that are found to be falsified will be submitted to the Dean of Students office for proper enforcement.

An eLearning representative will be contacting your proctor to verify their qualifications before any tests are sent to them.

Important Notes

 All students planning on taking proctored exams need to fill out a proctor form.  Proctor Form Due dates are posted at www.uaa.alaska.edu/eLearning

 Students are responsible for making their appointments with their proctor site directly.  For assistance or questions regarding proctor forms call eLearning at 907-786-1730

(10)

Submitting Your Assignments

The method of submitting assignments will be determined by the instructor of each course. Instructors may ask you to submit assignments through Blackboard, email, or by turning them in to our office.

View the Blackboard orientation course for directions on how to upload a document for a course assignment in Blackboard. For assignments to be turned in by email, attach the needed

document(s) to an email and address it to the instructor’s email given.

If the instructor has asked you to submit assignments to our office, you can do so by one of the following:

 Email – Assignments can be attached to an email and sent to: [email protected]

 Fax – Assignments can be faxed to the eLearning: Distance Learning office at (907) 786-1008. Please be sure to note on a cover page the number of pages faxed along with your name and your course. Also please print your name and page number on each page of the fax; we get numerous faxes each week and this will ensure everything you send gets turned in.

 Postal Mail – Assignments can be mailed to our office. Please use the following address:

University of Alaska Anchorage eLearning: Distance Student Services

3211 Providence Dr. LIB 215 Anchorage, AK 99508

 Personal Delivery – Assignments can be hand-delivered to our office in the Consortium Library on main campus, room 215 between the times of 8:00AM until 5:00PM Monday –

elearning: Distance Student Services Student Guide