eLearning

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What is an online course?

In the OCDSB, the term "online course" refers to a fully-online credit course.

How will I access my online course?

OCDSB students will log into the Virtual Learning Environment through the Student Portal. Out-of-board students log into their own board's virtual learning environment. The Virtual Learning Environment contains all of your lessons, assignments and evaluations as well as the tools you will use to interact and communicate with your classmates and teacher.

Will I ever meet my teacher or classmates face-to-face?

Most interaction with teachers and students will take place in the Virtual Learning Environment including Activity Feed postings, Discussion postings, assignment submissions and feedback or using email. There may be some kind of synchronous web conferencing or direct phone conversation as part of your class which will be dependent upon your teacher’s course requirements.

What makes online courses different?

• Your teacher will be more of a facilitator than a lecturer and you can expect to be more actively engaged in your own learning.
• Unlike remote learning you will not see your teacher instructing a lesson as the lessons are all included in the content of the course.
• You will be communicating with your teacher and classmates using the Virtual Learning Environment using many tools found inside the full featured learning management system
• This method of communication allows you to think about your response before you formulate them.
• You may have the flexibility to schedule time for this course when you are the most productive. You will have to manage your time effectively and remember to login to the course regularly to be marked as present in the course and to be successful in the course.

Check out some tips for success in eLearning

• Be realistic. You may get to select the hours that you work, but you will have to dedicate time to work. Remember that you are expected to spend the same amount of time on elearning courses as you would be spending on regular classroom (or face-to-face) courses.
• Set goals and deadlines for yourself, and stick to them. Keep an agenda or calendar to give yourself reminders in advance of assessment/evaluation due date.
• Organize a study schedule each week and stick to it.
• Avoid interruptions. Find or create a place where you can focus and work productively.

What are the technical requirements?

• You will need to have a device with internet access.  While mobile devices work, you may need to have a larger device in order to work on your course materials.
• In order to check to see if your browser is supported by the Virtual Learning Environment please check the requirements.

• eLearning is almost fully asynchronous and can be done on your own time when it fits your schedule.  You will be guided by your teacher but may not meet your teacher synchronously online at any time during the course and therefore do not need to have a consistent class schedule for a student.
• Remote learning contains more of a synchronous component and you will meet your teacher online in a meeting regularly and therefore are required to have a consistent class schedule.

Will I need a text book?

You will not require a text book for your online course. All of your resources will be available online.

Who teaches online courses?

Certified teachers who are employed by the OCDSB deliver our online courses. Currently these teachers are assigned to both online and regular day school classes.

Are online courses harder or easier than regular classroom courses?

How often are students required to log in?