1. What is economics?
2. Will distance learning provide a good education?
3. How much work is required?
4. How do I get a good grade?
5. Should I take an on-campus class instead?
6. How do I communicate with instructor and students?
7. Do I need a modern computer?
8. What do I do when my computer hardware or software doesn’t work?
9. Where do I buy my book?
10. How do I register?
11. May I join the class if I am unavailable the first week?
12. Does living far from the college matter?
13. Are there any required dates of attendance?
1. What is economics?
Economics is an exciting way to think about business and social decision-making. It is a discipline that all colleges students should try. Go to this link at the main page for a short essay defining the subject.
2. Will distance learning provide a good education?
The standards for your economics course are high like those are in the regular classroom course. The learning activities are different, especially since you do not regularly meet in person with other students and the instructor. However, the approach to distance learning is student centered. You will be provided guidance and activities that assures a complete system of study. The quality of your experience depends upon your ability to be actively involved. Many students believe that distance learning provides a better educational experience.
3. How much work is required?
Distance learning sometimes seems more difficult to students because they do not have the opportunity to meet in the regular classroom for lectures and discussions. Learning activities should amount to about 2 hours per credit hour as is the custom for most college level courses. In addition, you should study an extra 5 hours per week to mitigate the loss of classroom time. Some required activities and assignments are not enforced or not checked by the instructor, while other assignments require submittal for grading. It is your prerogative to assure that the former is completed well, while your instructor assures accountability for the later.
4. How do I get a good grade?
Your instructor would like to see everyone earn a good grade. He has established a learning system that will help willing students achieve success. Students who give a good effort and demonstrate their knowledge of economics normally earn good grades. Students who show little effort or knowledge usually earn poor grades.
5. Should I take an on-campus class instead?
Do not take a distance learning course if you believe it is an easy way to gain college credit without attending class. The course is not easier, but just different. You are ready for distance learning if your attitude about studying is realistic. With a positive attitude, many instructors would recommend that you try. It is a good practice to take a distance learning course because you learn the skill of independent studying.
6. How do I communicate with instructor and students?
This is an on-line course where nearly 100% of communication is done through the Internet. There are many ways to communicate over the Internet. You send e-mails directly to your instructor. Your instructor sends general announcements to all students. You post notes to other students on a web-based note board.
7. Do I need a modern computer?
You do not have to own a computer to participate. The college has computers available in the labs. You may also find computers in public libraries or at a place of work. Of course, a home computer may be more convenient. The computer you use should have a graphical user interface (e.g. windows or mac) and it should have an Internet connection (through an Internet service provider). You will need an e-mailer – several are free at this link. You will need a web browser, and a word processing program would be helpful. Your computer should allow for the playing of streaming multimedia that includes audio and video. There are no special requirements for the hard drive, ram or processor speed.
8. What do I do when my computer hardware or software doesn’t work?
Your instructor is an economist and not a computer software expert. He hopes that the college will provide a help-line for students someday. For now, please consult with your computer manufacture, software seller, or Internet service provider. Sometimes the Distance Learning Office can help you with small problems.
9. Where do I buy my book?
Your book is an ebook that is found on-line at the course website. It is available after you have registered (paid your ebook access fee), and have obtained the login/password for the course website.
10. How do I register?
If you are not a current student, first get admitted to the college. The admission procedure is obtained at this website. Once you are an admitted student, then register on-line or by phone by following the procedure for registering at the same website. Be careful to sign-up for the distance learning section of economics.
11. May I join the class if I am unavailable the first week?
The class starts at the beginning of the quarter. Missing the first week puts you far behind the pace of the course. You should decide whether or not you are truly ready to study this quarter. Most students missing the first week eventually drop the course. The instructor often does not allow students to register because of this problem.
12. Does living far from the college matter?
Not really. The course has been set-up for people who live just about anyplace. However, please be admitted to the college and registered for the course before the beginning of the quarter.
13. Are there any required dates of attendance?
All course work is on-line. Check with the instructor if there is a required date to attend a test for the quarter for which you are enrolled.