Getting Ready for Your First Online Course
What’s the Difference Between a Traditional and Online Class?
Many students know how to prepare for a traditional, face to face class; however, they become flustered when it comes to preparing for an online course. Are the needs for an online class really so different? Let’s take a closer look at how the requirements for a traditional class differ from those of an online class:
Traditional Class Needs |
Online Class Needs |
Course schedule |
Course Schedule |
Do you see the differences? That’s right; the needs for an online and traditional class are virtually the same. While differences exist, there are fewer than you might think. No matter what kind of class you take, you will need supplies such as paper, a computer, software and a course textbook. So, let’s talk about what you can do to prepare for your first online course!
1. Prepare Your Computer
Most likely, you will not experience problems taking your online course if your computer was purchased within the last three years. The minimum recommended hardware and software requirements for a computer (both PC and Mac) are:
Hardware and Software |
PC |
Mac |
Operating System |
Windows 2000 or higher |
Mac OS 8.0 |
Memory |
256 MB |
256 MB |
CPU |
500 MHz or higher |
Power Mac G3 or higher |
Free Disk Space |
10 MB or more |
10 MB or more |
Browser |
Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher Netscape Navigator 7.1 or higher Mozilla 1.4 or higher |
Netscape Navigator 7.1 or higher, Mozilla 1.4 or higher |
Browser Settings |
JavaScript enabled |
JavaScript enabled |
Productivity Software |
MS Office or viewers |
MS Office or viewers |
Internet Connection |
56K modem (DSL recommended) |
56K modem (DSL recommended) |
Other |
Sound card and speakers (microphone and webcam recommended) |
Sound card and speakers (microphone and webcam recommended) |
You will need to make sure the computer you will be using is prepared for class. To prepare your computer, you will need to:
- Get the latest downloads
- Remove spyware and set your browser
- Get productivity software (e.g., MS Office)
Downloads
Make sure you have the latest versions of the most common applications and plug-ins associated with surfing the Web. It is recommended that you download the latest versions of Internet Explorer, Flash Player and Adobe Acrobat. Click below to access these products:
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URL |
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Spyware and Browser Settings
Unscrupulous companies and software developers use “spyware” software to track individual Internet surfing and for unsolicited advertising. Spyware is more than an annoyance; it can keep individuals from taking full advantage of the Internet and even cause harm to computers. It is highly recommended that Internet users have spyware protection on their computers. Here are two free anti-spyware resources:
Microsoft AntiSpyware (Beta) – an excellent, free resource for identifying and preventing spyware.
Ad-Aware – a free resource for personal computer users that helps protect against spyware and other malicious programming.
In order to counter the increased prevalence of malicious adware, spyware and pop-up advertising, Internet browsers include tools to protect their users. However, these tools might interrupt student access to their online courses. Check your browser settings before starting a class. Additionally, pop-up blockers are very popular, and for good reason. Pop-up advertising is very annoying. However, pop-up windows might be used in your class. For the time you are in class, all pop-up blockers must be disabled. You can turn them back on after class.
Browser Settings – View a presentation on adjusting browser settings and how to disable pop-up blockers in Internet Explorer.
Productivity Tools
It does not matter if you are taking an online or traditional class; you will need software to complete assignments, such as writing a research paper. The most commonly used productivity software product is Microsoft’s Office Suite. You may have MS Office on your computer already. If you do not, and you decide to purchase it, keep in mind that you might be able to purchase MS Office at student pricing. This could save you a great deal of money.
Are there alternatives to MS Office? The Open Office project provides free productivity software similar to MS Office. As a matter of fact, users of Open Office can save their documents in MS Office formats.
What about productivity software other than MS Office and Open Office? Many computers come with other kinds of productivity software, such as MS Works and Word Perfect. These applications can be used for your online class, but you will need to make sure you save your files in a format that is accessible by multiple productivity software packages. Also, if you use productivity software other than MS Office, you may need to download additional software. For example, what if your professor posts an MS PowerPoint presentation for the class to view? How would you view it? You will need to download free “viewer” software from Microsoft. Viewers do not allow you to make any changes to a file, just view it. The following resources provide more information about productivity software and how to avoid problems viewing course materials.
Learn how to purchase MS Office and other products at special academic prices. |
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Learn about the Open Office project. |
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Allows users to view PowerPoint presentations. |
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Allows users to view Excel spreadsheet files. |
File Formats – View a presentation on how to save files in a format that is accessible by multiple productivity software packages.
Prepare Yourself
Know how to use productivity software
As previously mentioned, in a face-to-face or online class you will need to use productivity software to complete assignments. If you are not familiar with how to use productivity software, then work through some tutorials before the first class date. Or, if you perform a quick Web search, you will definitely be able to find great, free tutorials. Here a two:
MS Office Tutorials – Microsoft’s own training site.
MS Office 2000 Tutorials – Provided by Florida Gulf Coast University, these free tutorials teach the basics of using MS Office Suite.
Have an email account and know how to email attachments
Your educational institution may provide you with an email account. If not, and if you do not already have an email account, get one! An account can be established in minutes and most, if not all, are free. Some of the most common providers are Yahoo and MSN.
Secondly, you should know how to send an attachment with your email account. It is likely that your professor will require you to email your assignments to him or her using email. Here are some resources for email:
Yahoo – Yahoo provides free email accounts with plenty of storage space.
MSN – MSN Hotmail provides free email accounts and also provides ample storage space.
Learn about chat
The informal word “chat” can be misleading. Chat refers to how you will have real time discussions with your professors and classmates during your online class meetings. Using chat is very easy, but if you are not familiar with how to chat, then it would be worth your time to learn a little about it before your first online class meeting. Here is a resource for chat:
Chat Tutorial – View a short tutorial showing how to use the chat function in an online course.
Know how to log into your course
Most agree that it is important to know in advance which building your face-to-face class will meet in. Why wouldn’t it be the same for your online course? You should always remember to locate and familiarize yourself with an online class before it begins. Do not wait until just before the class starts to log into the course and find the appropriate chat. Use the username and password provided by your institution a couple days before the first class meeting to explore the course environment. This preparation will also provide you the opportunity to identify and eliminate any technical issues.
Open the communication lines with your professors
Frequent communication with your professors and classmates is essential to having a rewarding online educational experience. Before, or soon after, your first class, send your professor an email. Introduce yourself and provide a little information about yourself and your reasons for being in the course. Almost all professors will welcome and appreciate your efforts to communicate with them.
Know how to contact the Help Center
You can’t predict what will happen in the future, especially when it comes to technology. However, what you can do is always be prepared. To avoid possible problems, you should familiarize yourself 
with the Help Desk. If you are taking a course from one of the schools listed here in eLearnPortal.com, you will have access to a 24/7/365 Help Desk and other materials that may guide your online experience. The eLearnPortal Help Center provides you with technical support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The Help Center contains on-demand training modules (like the presentations you have seen here), manuals and Help Desk contact information. You may contact the Help Desk via email, live chat or phone. Before your first class, explore the Help Center and make sure you have the contact information for the Help Desk handy.
Prepare your calendar
Finally, make sure you have a calendar. It is always important to outline your time. Schedule your class meetings, homework time and group projects into your calendar. It is a common to allot at least two (2) hours of time per credit hour for class and homework. One of the biggest benefits of online instruction is the flexibility of meeting times and course work. However, do not let all that academic freedom go to your head. It is very important to manage your time wisely by designating specific times for class meetings and homework. If you follow an academic schedule properly, you will have little problem following through with other commitments in your busy schedule.
Some Final Thoughts for the Road
Online education can be an exceptionally rewarding experience, as it offers students the benefits of convenience, quality and academic expression. With the exception of meeting physically for class, online classes differ very little from traditional, face-to-face classes. With a little preparation before your first online class, you will be able to reduce any stress you may be experiencing. More importantly, you will be able to get the most out of your online education.
Before you leave to embark upon your online educational adventure, let’s review the major points. Before your first class, you should:
- Prepare Your Computer
- IE, Flash, Acrobat
- Eliminate Spyware and set your browser
- Get productivity tools (MS Office, Open Office, viewers)
- Prepare Yourself
- View tutorials on MS Office.
- Get an email account and learn how to send attachments.
- Learn about chatting.
- Log into your course before the first class to familiarize yourself with the system.
- Keep the lines of communication open with your instructor.
- Know how to contact the Help Desk.
- Prepare your calendar for class and homework. >
There is one more thing to remember. Your educational institution is dedicated to your success as an online learner. As a result, your school may provide you with additional useful resources pertaining to your online course. Make sure to check with your academic institution for more details.
Hopefully, once completing these tasks, you will feel confident and prepared for your first online course. There is a plentitude of opportunities awaiting you in the world of online education. By enrolling in your first online course, you have taken the first step. Good luck, and make sure to have some fun along the way!