• By email: Students and instructors exchange email addresses at the beginning of each course, which enables ongoing discussion outside of the online classroom.
• By phone: You are free to exchange phone numbers with classmates.
• Using online discussion threads: Track topical discussions or respond to questions posed by your instructor.

How long do online courses last?
Online courses are offered on a semester basis beginning in August or January and in an accelerated session beginning in June.

Do online courses have tests?
Some courses have tests. Most exams are taken online; but your course syllabus will inform you if you need to take the exam on campus. Most online courses evaluate you on the quality of your assignments, projects and quizzes. The quizzes are graded automatically. The evaluation process of the course will be noted in the course syllabus.

How do I "attend" an online course?
You will receive a message on or before the first day of class describing how to access your course web site. Attendance in an Internet course is not based on "seat time" as it is in regular classroom-based courses. You will be involved in a variety of learning activities both on and off the Internet. Your consistent and timely participation is critical to your success in an online course.

How much time will I spend on this course each week?
This depends on each individual and their learning style plus other factors. As a very general estimate, plan on spending a minimum of 3-4 hours per week, per credit, working on your course. For example, if you are taking a 4-credit course, you will need to plan on spending 4 credits multiplied by 3-4 hours per week or 12-16 hours per week on this course.

Please remember that you will not have commuting time or in-class "seat time" with an Internet class.

How will I be evaluated?
This depends on the class. In some classes, you complete projects to demonstrate your learning. In other classes, you may take tests over the Internet. In other classes, there is a combination of both projects and tests used to evaluate your learning.

What time are online classes held?
You can access your class and participate via the Internet, any time, day or night, as long as you have an Internet connection. Students usually need to log in 2-5 times each week, unless otherwise noted by your instructor in the course syllabus. You can expect to spend 10-15 hours each week per course.

Does the online format provide the same quality of education offered by face-to-face classes?
Both online and classroom courses offered by Blackhawk Technical Colleges are accredited college level courses. Both require registration in the class and completion of the assignments at regular intervals. Both require students to understand the concepts, read a textbook, turn in assignments, and take exams.

However, online students may complete a course from the comfort of home, work, or campus; classroom students must attend classes on campus. Online students have the option of going ahead in their work; classroom students must all follow the same pace. Online students interact with fellow students and with the instructor primarily online; classroom students interact in person with fellow students and the instructor during each class.

I don't have a computer at home, but still want to look at online learning as an option. Is this possible?
Computers are available for access at local libraries, community centers, and other public areas, depending on where you live. Each district also has open computer labs for students to access on campus.

What technical skills do I need to be successful with online courses?

• You must be familiar with the basic operation of your computer and your computer's operating system (i.e., Microsoft Windows, Mac OS). The fundamental skills you need include use of the mouse, copy and pasting, printing, and toggling from one window to another.
• You should have some experience and familiarity with navigating and using the Internet as an information and communication resource. Knowing how to download files, attach document files to e-mail, use word-processing software are necessary skills to achieving academic success in an online course environment.
• You should have a good working knowledge in the use of email such as opening attachments you receive in your messages, printing messages, sending replies to your messages, forwarding messages to others, originating new messages, adding attachments to messages and deleting messages.