An online course is a course that is taken via the Internet. The amount of work for the course is no different than a face-to-face course and the learning goals and objectives are the same. However, the student must complete the work on their own and this will require some self-motivation. Online courses are not an individual, self-study type of course. Students will interact with the instructor and each other through e-mail, group work, and threaded discussion groups.

A hybrid course is a blend of face-to-face instruction with online learning. In a hybrid course, a significant part of the course learning is done online through SRC Online and the Internet, and as a result, the amount of classroom seat-time is reduced. For example, a 3-hour Biology course might include the lectures, assignments, and discussion online (which would normally be completed face-to-face) and only the labs would be completed in a face-to-face environment. So, in this example the seat time would be reduced to a once-a-week lab.

The only way that students learn in an online course is to be INVOLVED and check in to the class and PARTICIPATE in the discussion and assignments. The student is responsible for posting his or her opinions, thoughts and facts on discussion questions as well as responding to fellow classmates. The student is also responsible for reading the required textbook assignments as well as readings from the Internet as assigned.

There are no required hours to be in class on the campus of Spoon River College. You can attend class from home, a friend or relative's home, a library, or from a hotel room while traveling – anywhere there is a computer and Internet access. It’s important to remember that to be successful, you should login to their course AT LEAST 3-4 times a week.

This is a question that everyone asks about online classes. Have you ever been in a face-to-face class where everyone participates in class by discussing the topic every day? An online class is very similar. EVERYONE must participate in the discussion and student group projects to get points for their grade. Through e-mail, the instructor is able to answer questions that students do not want to share with the entire class.

Your instructor will give you a list of Internet sites. If you call or email the Learning Resources Center in Canton (309) 649-6222 with a search topic, staff may be able to give you additional resource ideas. You may need to visit the library at the SRC Canton campus and SRC has a cooperative arrangement with the Western Illinois University library in Macomb.

NO! Online classes are neither more difficult nor easier than face-to-face classes. Students will be expected to work just has hard. It’s important to note that a successful online student must be SELF-MOTIVATED and cannot PROCRASTINATE. You may be able to login to the class and complete the assignments at any time, but you still have deadlines.

Each student will have his or her own reasons. The most popular reason is that you can participate in class anytime and from anywhere. This is what we call ASYNCHRONOUS. In a traditional classroom, you meet at a certain time of day at a certain place. This is what we call SYNCHRONOUS. With asynchronous learning, you can learn when your schedule allows and there is no need to drive to campus.

* Access to a reliable computer (with a back-up computer at a library, school, or friend/relative)
* A web browser such as FireFox or higher or Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
* Internet connection
* An email account: All students are provided with a student email account. 
* Word processing program such as Microsoft Word
* Fax capability from your home or business or an outside source (not required, but recommended). This could be helpful if you should run into computer problems and need to fax an assignment to your instructor.

NOTE: SRC does not provide support for student's personal computers. Students must contact their own internet service provider for help with internet access problems and are responsible for all access and telephone charges incurred in connection to the internet and SRC Online at http://www.src.edu/src-online SRC.

If you can send and receive e-mail, can browse the World Wide Web, and have self-discipline and motivation to learn and complete the class, then you are probably ready. If you are not sure if an online class is for you, you might want to take a convenient Internet quiz (provided by WashingtonOnline).

Click here to view a printable schedule of “Internet and Other” courses.