Online Classes

See if you are ready to take an online or hybrid course

Are you thinking about taking an online course or several online courses? Consider the following four statements before you decide to take an online course:

1. I want to take this course because​
A. it is very important for my degree program or my job
B. my friends are taking the course also
C. I’m interested in the subject, but I have no deadline to complete it

If you have a strong motivation to complete your course you will do well. If not, you may want to take it at another time.

2. When course work gets tough and I don’t want to study
A. my significant other/parents/children/friends encourage me to keep going.
B. my significant other/parents/children/friends are not concerned.
C. my significant other/parents/children/friends discourage me from studying and encourage me to do other things.

If you have a support system, you will be motivated to complete your work. If not, others may interrupt important study time.

3. I have time to study
A. because I do not have a lot of other obligations. I am able to fit class and study time into my weekly schedule.
B. even though I have other obligations, because I manage my time well.
C. but I have many obligations which may take priority over my course and study time.

If you can manage your time well, you will find the time to be an active participant in your course If you have too many other obligations (job(s), marriage, childcare, parent care, time with friends, other obligations and activities), you may not be able to keep up with your assignments.

4. I can login to my course
A. anytime, because I have unrestricted access to a multimedia computer and an Internet connection at home or a laptop with wireless Internet access.
B. every day, because I will be using a computer at work or in a college computer lab.
C. only at certain times, because I will be using a computer used by other members of the family (or at a public library or at the home of a friend or relative).

If you have appropriate access to a computer and Internet connection on a daily basis during your prime study time, you will enjoy using the course software. If not, you may become discouraged by logistical and technical problems.

If you have decided that your motivation, support system, available time, and technology access are acceptable, you will need to consider the following issues (and tips) to succeed as an online student.

• Time management

Managing your time well is the most important factor in your success as an online student. Online courses actually take more time than classroom courses because they involve reading and writing instead of listening and speaking. The time that you spent driving to campus, parking, and going to your classroom will now be spent reading and writing. In online courses discussion postings and email can accumulate quickly. You need to login every day to keep up with course communication.

• Reading

Online courses involve a lot of reading. Information that you would normally hear in a classroom will usually be available for you to read. If you like to read, have good reading comprehension and read fast you will do very well in an online course.

• Writing

Online courses involve a lot of writing. Things that you would normally say in a classroom will usually have to be written so that the instructor and other students can see them. If you like to write, have good writing skills and can type fast, you will do very well in an online class.

• Self-directed learning/monitoring your own learning

In an online course, the instructor is a facilitator, not a lecturer. You must take the responsibility for your own learning. Information will be presented in your textbook and through lesson content, PowerPoint presentations, video, and Websites. It is up to you create your own learning path and monitor your own progress.

• Efficiency and Organization

Since you will be directing your own learning, you will do much better if you are efficient and organized. Knowing the assignment due dates and test dates on the course timeline is very important. You can add private entries to your course calendar for additional reminders. Take your tests and hand in assignments early.

• Anxiety and Stress/test taking

Everyone has some anxiety and stress when taking classes, handing in graded assignments, and taking tests. If you are concerned about the time limits and technology involved in online testing, you may want to ask your instructor if he/she will create a practice test for the students in your class. The best way to relieve anxiety is to avoid procrastination. Taking your test early in the test availability period will eliminate the anxiety of a computer crash or power outage at the last minute.

Raritan Valley Community College Middle States Accreditation
Based on the United States Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), Public Law 110-315 the MSCHE requires our accreditation agencies to confirm that RVCC has processes in place through which we establish that the student who registers in a distance education or correspondence education course or program is the same student who participates in and completes the course or program and receives the academic credit.

The RVCC Office of Instructional Technology meets this requirement as per the Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 34 Section 602.17 Paragraph (g) in that we:

1. Verify the identity of a student who participates in class or coursework by using at least one of the following options in all Distance Education courses or programs

• A secure login and pass code;
• Proctored examinations; and
• New or other technologies and practices that are effective in verifying student identification; and

2. Make clear in writing that we use processes that protect student privacy and notify students of any projected additional student charges associated with the verification of student identity at the time of registration or enrollment.

How Identity is Verified
Verifying the identity of students in our courses and programs is a significant, multifaceted, and ongoing process. Identity verification begins when a student applies for admission to the institution and continues through their graduation, transfer or withdrawal from study.

Procedures related to student identity verification include but are not limited to: our registration, advising and transcript procedures, and the login and security functions of “Canvas” – our course Learning Management System (LMS) – wherein we create a unique username and password for each individual student. This unique set of login credentials consists of data which the student is likely to know, and which others are unlikely to know. The student is required to use these credentials to access our LMS. We encourage our students to reset their confidential password. Data transmission of login information is secured using standard encryption technology.

Privacy of Personally Identifiable Information
Personally identifiable information collected by the college may be used, at the discretion of the institution, as the basis for identity verification. For instance, students requesting that their WebStudy password be reset may be asked to provide two or more pieces of information for comparison with data in our records, such as their RVCC Student ID number and course identification, or other similar information, as determined by college staff members in the performance of their duties. However, with the exception of established “Directory Information” no such data will be disclosed without the consent of the student.

User Responsibility
Users with access to the LMS (Canvas) are responsible for maintaining the security of usernames, passwords and any other access credentials assigned to them. Access credentials may not be shared or given to anyone other than the user to whom they were assigned for any reason. Users are responsible for any and all use of their account. RVCC recommends that all users change their password when necessary to maintain security. Users are held responsible for knowledge of the information contained within the most recent RVCC catalog as well as the RVCC Student Handbook. Failure to read and comply with college guidelines, requirements and regulations will not exempt users from responsibility. It is particularly important that you follow the standards of academic honesty and integrity as outlined in the Student Handbook, as well as the Computer and Network Use Policies in the Student Handbook.

Costs to Students
Course fees for Online and Hybrid course sections are listed on our Tuition and Fees page.

Academic Integrity
The RVCC Code of Conduct, applies fully to college activities and courses held online, as well as those held on and off campus. Students are expected to abide by the standards established for academic integrity in all course sections at the college. However, technology and personal accountability alone are unable to fully verify identity or ensure academic integrity. Instructional design, which replaces high-stakes objective testing with individualized and authentic assessment techniques, is utilized wherever possible. RVCC best practices for course design use varied instructional methods and employ several built-in features of the LMS to reduce academic dishonesty.

Public Notice
This document is publicly available online to all students and potential students.

Questions
Questions regarding this document should be directed to RVCC Tech Services techservices@raritanval.edu.