- What is an online course?
An online course utilizes the Internet and a web browser as a means of creating a learning environment outside of the traditional classroom. Lectures and discussions will take place on a Distance Learning Center Web site. You will be able to access your course lectures (for the most part, text based with some courses utilizing audio and video) and communicate with your classmates and instructors through the use of a discussion forum (message board). The online courses follow a classroom structure of covering a lesson a week. You can access your course Web site anytime of the day and anywhere you have access to the Internet (dependent on security settings).
- Who can take online courses?
Anyone can take an online course as long as they have access to a computer with Internet capabilities, have an active email account and have a good understanding of how a computer works. An online student also has to be motivated to participate in discussion forums and regularly check the Web site and keep up with the course work.
- How do online courses work?
Once you begin your course work, you will find that through the use of the course site tools, you will be able to navigate within the course site. You will be able to maneuver through the Web site to post/read assignments and to download/upload files from your instructor. Your instructor will primarily be contacting you through the discussion forum or by email.
Help files are found on the Distance Learning Center Web site (http://learn.uci.edu/cms) with instructions on accessing your online course and utilizing the course tools.
- Can I access my course from anywhere?
You can access the course anywhere that you have Internet access. Some companies have firewalls that prevent you from participating in the chat sessions and posting to the discussion forum. Please check with your company’s technology department before you attempt to access the course.
- Are there specific dates that I need to log on to the Web site?
There is a set beginning and end date for your online course. It is suggested that you log on at least 3-4 times a week to check the discussion forums and read assignments and lectures. This is the “asynchronous” aspect of the course.
There might be occasion when the instructor will set a chat time or WebEx session (“synchronous”) where he/she assigns a specific date and time for all the students to meet online.
- What happens after I sign up for a course, how do I get started?
If you enroll through the Web site at http://unex.uci.edu you will receive a confirmation email from our Student Services office.
Your confirmation will contain instructions for accessing your online course, a URL and enrollment key. Online courses are not available until the course start date as shown in the catalog.
If you enrolled by fax or telephone, you will receive your confirmation by mail.
- What is an enrollment key?
An enrollment key is required only for the first time that you enter your online course.
- I signed up for this quarter’s term and I can’t find my online course!
Your online course will not be available until the actual course start date. The first week of the course is an orientation week. During this time, you will have the opportunity to review the syllabus and become familiar with the course tools.
- I have enrolled and I entered my key, but it still won’t let me in.
Many of you will have enrolled prior to the course start date. Courses will not appear until the course start date. Please note that the first week is considered an orientation week where you can become familiar with the course tools. Always make sure to enter a category for the current quarter that you are signed up for. Many times, previous quarters will be available for past students.
- How many hours a week do I have to devote to my online course?
Similar to a classroom course, to get the most out of any type of learning you must commit a certain amount of time. You will most likely spend approximately 10 hours a week going over class lectures, assignments and discussion forums. Time required for each course will vary.
All assignments, quizzes, exams, and projects must be completed by the end date of the course (please refer to University Extension Web site/catalog for course start/end dates). The instructor will set individual due dates for your assignments, projects and tests.
- What is WebEx?
WebEx is a software used for synchronous (“live”) conferencing and training. Information about this software and its use is dependent upon the online course you have enrolled in. If WebEx is used for your online course, it will be noted in the UCI Extension catalog.
- Will having a firewall at home or at work prevent me from working on my online course?
Although this very seldom occurs, your firewall may prevent you from posting to the discussion forum while allowing you to read the lectures and other resources. If you are accessing your course through a work computer, you will need to contact your IT department for assistance.
- What happens if I fall behind or complete the course early?
It is acceptable to be a week ahead or behind. You must remember that participation is a very important aspect of your final evaluated grade for the course. Active participation requires you to post and respond to your instructor and fellow classmates’ comments on the discussion forum. If you are too far behind, posting to an old topic will be revisiting something that the majority of your classmates might have discussed.
- How do I communicate with my instructor?
You communicate with your instructor by email, discussion forums, or chat sessions. Students are highly encouraged to use these modes of communications, as faxed or mailed assignments are not accepted.
- Will I be able to see my online instructor or communicate with him/her via telephone?
All communication with your instructor will be done either through email, the discussion forums or the chat sessions. Please do not expect your instructor to telephone you.
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- Is my online course an instructor-led course?
Like a traditional course, your online course has an instructor who will conduct the course by giving assignments, answering questions, leading discussions and assigning grades.
- Who do I contact if I am having problems with the instructor?
Please contact the Distance Learning Center office at (949) 824-7613 or unex-online@uci.edu. Your instructor should be very explicit on the course syllabus or welcome message as to their availability. If the instructor is going out of town or will be away from the computer for an extended period of time, he/she must notify the class.
- Do I need to have cookies enabled?
Yes, it is necessary to have your cookies enabled. To best protect your computer, it is suggested that you vary your cookie options to ensure the most secure level.
- What happens if I have trouble accessing the URL with my login and password?
Contact the Distance Learning Center (DLC) office at unex-online@uci.edu or 949-824-7613 and we will assess and work to fix any problems in the most expeditious manner. In order to better serve you, please note the problem as it occurred.
- What happens if I can’t finish a course?
We understand that certain situations can occur. Please refer to the UC Irvine Extension catalog for procedures, etc.
- When is the last day to drop the course?
There will be an administrative fee accessed for any withdrawals within the allowable period. Please refer to the Extension Web site for more information.
- What kind of grade options do I have?
The grading options are exactly the same as that of classroom courses.
- Do I need to purchase books or any additional items?
Some courses do require that you purchase books or software. Please contact the UCI Bookstore for more information about the books for your courses at (949) 824-2665 or by visiting their website at www.book.uci.edu.
- Will the platform for online courses be changing continually every quarter?
There will be changes periodically. Changes occur mainly as a result of student and instructor feedback to our Web site. This is done to maximize the tools.
- Why do I get emails of the discussion forum postings?
If you are receiving emails from the discussion forums, you are subscribed to that particular forum. You can change this option by going to the forums sections on the left side of the course site under Activities. By selecting forum, you will be able to see all the forums created and to turn on/off the subscription function. There may be a forum that you will not be able to change. More than likely, that will be a place where the instructor will post announcements.
- I like getting the forum subscribed emails, but the responses I made are not on the course Web site.
If you prefer to receive the subscribed emails from the forum, please do not reply to the email directly, but post your reply to the specific forum where the posting originated. This will ensure that others, including your instructor, will see your reply or comment.
- Can I get a degree online?
At this time, you can only receive a Master’s Degree in Criminology, Law and Society.
Students intending to transfer UC Irvine Extension course credit for a degree at another college or university should verify acceptance of the course with that institution.
- I am confused and frustrated; I can’t seem to find my way around the Web site. What can I do?
Call us at (949) 824-7613. We will be happy to walk you through the tools and show you everything you need to know.
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