Online Education

​​​Online education provides students who have limited availability, may live at a distance, or have a physical disability an opportunity to access college-level courses online.

Online classes have the same content as regular classes; they are just presented in a different manner.

For most online courses, you are required to take exams and do homework just like traditional courses, but there is limited or no classroom time.

There are three methods of instruction at Citrus College that utilize the Internet:

• Online education courses are online
  
• Hybrid courses have materials online and also require attendance in a traditional classroom or on campus
  
• Web-enhanced courses utilize digital ​technology to enhance delivery of material on campus in a traditional classroom setting​​
  

​​​Anyone can take an online education course, but you should consider if this type of delivery method is right for you.

Through online education, you do not generally interact in a classroom. Instead, you communicate with your instructor and fellow students through email, message boards, and chat rooms. Though this often requires more dedication on your part, many students are rewarded by the fact that they have more direct communication with their instructors and fellow students.

Along with more direct communication, there are other potential benefits to taking an online education course. Many students find online learning more convenient. You can study and learn when it fits your schedule and you can access your course almost anywhere in the world. This is particularly beneficial for full-time workers or students with childcare needs. Online education students may also have reduced travel and parking expenses.

As an online education student you will need access to a computer, Internet access, and an email account. There are computer labs on campus that are available to Citrus College students located in the Citrus College library and the main computer lab (IS 107).

While online education offers a convenient way to earn college credits, it can also pose its own unique challenges. It is not uncommon for a student to struggle in the online learning environment, and it is easier to fall behind and fail an online education course. There is also the potential for isolation and less group support. Finally, an online education course requires more technical expertise and there is the potential for technical problems and delays.

Successful online students must also be able to:

• access the Internet
• send and receive email
• send and receive attachments
• participate in chat rooms, discussion boards, and instant messenger systems
• read and follow directions on a website
  

For a full-semester or 16-week class, allocate at least three to four hours per unit for any online education course you plan to take. Adjust for courses taught in an accelerated pace or during intersessions.

A successful online student is:​

• self-motivated
  
• organized
• able to follow written directions and schedules
• proactive about contacting their instructors
• computer literate
  

​​​​​​​Take time to answer the following questions to see if your learning style is suited to online learning.

1. Are you a self-directed individual?
2. Are you someone who does not procrastinate and who is able to set personal schedules and deadlines?
3. Are you comfortable using the computer and do you have convenient access to one?
4. Are you proficient in keyboarding skills?
5. Are you comfortable learning in a text-based environment and enjoy learning through reading?
6. Are you willing to take responsibility for seeking help by contacting your instructor, counselor or online education office?
7. Are you willing to commit three to four hours per unit per week for each course (for example, a five-unit course taken over 16 weeks would require 15-20 hours per week)?
8. Are you someone who needs to take online courses instead of traditional courses?

If you answered "yes" to these questions, then ​online education may be right for you.

If you answered "no" to any of these questions, you may want to reconsider taking an online education course.​

Please review the Canvas Knowledge Base article: What are the browser and computer requirements for Canvas?

​​Communication Skills
Effective and timely communication is essential in an online education course. Since virtually all communication is done through writing, students should have some competency in writing and keyboard skills, as well as knowledge in how to send and receive email and how to participate on a discussion board or in a chat environment.

Email
It is important to note that communication will vary by course. However, sending and receiving email is essential. Enrolled students are given a Citrus College email account.

Students should know how to create and save a document and have the ability to send a document through email as a file attachment.

It is important to check your email regularly. Make sure to allow an appropriate amount of time for an instructor to respond to correspondence. An instructor should be allowed at least 48 hours during the business week to reply to correspondence and more time over a weekend or holiday. However, do not assume that a message was received by your instructor. If you do not receive a reply within 48 hours, make sure to send a follow-up message. If you still do not receive a reply, contact the instructor through their campus phone or notify the online education office.

Some internet service providers (ISPs) will filter email in order to screen unwanted messages. In order to avoid having your instructor's correspondence blocked by your ISP, you should add your instructor's email address to your email address book.​