Myths and Facts

FACT: While you may sometimes receive an immediate response, the typical turn-around time for e-mails is 48 hours (not including holidays and weekends). This is a common standard for most businesses and educational institutions. Make sure to start projects and assignments with ample time before due dates to ask questions.

FACT: Students sometimes believe that online courses are an easy alternative to the traditional method of classroom instruction, and that there won't be as much work. In most instances, this is simply not the case. Online courses are just as rigorous as any on-campus course, sometimes more rigorous because this method of instruction places more responsibility for learning on you, the student. You do not have an instructor physically in the classroom giving you your next assignment or immediate feedback or immediately answering your questions. You have access to these essential elements but via your computer and the Internet.

FACT: The number of credits associated with a CVTC online course are the same as the number of credits associated with a traditional course at CVTC. Online courses are designed to cover the same competencies as corresponding face-to-face courses. The coursework for online courses is often identical to the coursework for traditional classes, and online courses require just as much work and participation as face-to-face courses.

FACT: People often assume that because they don't have to drive to class and that there won't be as much work in an online course, they can cram more courses into their schedule. However, online courses often require extra motivation and effort. Don't assume you can take more courses. You should consider the additional amount of time required for completing an online course when you  assuming you can take fewer online courses than classroom courses.

FACT:  While you will have the freedom to work on your course any time of the day from any computer with Internet access, you will be expected to follow due dates and deadlines for assignments. All CVTC Internet courses have a specific start date and end date. These are usually the same as the beginning and ending dates for traditional classes during a given semester. It is critical that you regularly access your course to keep up-to-date with new assignments and communications from your instructor throughout the semester.

FACT: CVTC is committed to the support of E-Learning students. We provide 24 hours per day/7 days a week telephone assistance for technical problems. You can also make a telephone or in-person appointment with an E-Learning Assistant for help understanding how to access course materials. Your instructor is also there to help you if you have difficulties with the content of the course.

FACT: Although you don't meet face-to-face, you will have a lot of interaction with your classmates and instructor in the online environment. CVTC Internet courses have several features that allow you to interact with and learn from fellow students. You may be asked to participate in an electronic discussion board, real-time chat room, team-oriented group projects, or a combination of these online interactive options. In many cases, students report that they interact much more in an online course than in a traditional class.

FACT: While you don't need to be a computer genius to take online classes, you do need basic computer skills. You need to know how to log on to the Internet, send email, attach files, use word processing software, download information, browse the Web, and navigate through the course management system used by the college. At CVTC, we use Blackboard for our online courses, and a “test drive” is available so that you can preview a course in Blackboard.