WebCollege

WebCollege Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Common

Five Traits of Successful Students

Will I be contacted prior to the start of class? back to top

No. It is your responsibility to have your books purchased and be ready to go by the first Monday of the semester. Be proactive, and be ready to start class on the first Monday of the semester. Classes are not self-paced and you will be required to have checked into class by the end of the first week or you may be dropped.

Who is my instructor, and how do I contact the instructor? back to top

You can find your instructor by viewing the details option in the online schedule. You also may view instructor Web sites online or call 775-673-7000 to get the faculty member's telephone number.

Do I need books for an online course? back to top

Yes. The majority of the classes books require books. To find out what book is needed you can go online or call 775-673-7172.

Do I need to come to campus for anything? back to top

The majority of classes are completely online. You may have to come to campus to take a mid-term or final exam, or to complete labs. Read the course syllabus to find out if your class has an on-site requirement.

How much time should I expect to spend per week on my online course? back to top

It is a common misperception that online courses take less time per week than face-to-face courses. In actuality, online courses require a substantial time commitment. Although the amount of time required for an online course varies, it's a good rule of thumb to allocate about 10 to 12 hours per week per online course. You should expect the following from your online course:

  • The amount of homework required in an online course will be roughly the same as that assigned in a face-to-face course.
  • Most online courses will ask that you spend time participating in discussions with the instructor and other learners. These discussions will play a central role in your learning experience.

Can I take the course at my own pace? back to top

Courses need to be finished by the conclusion of the semester. Online courses are facilitated by an instructor and require that learners adhere to a course schedule for readings, assignments and discussions with other learners. It will be important for your success to adhere to this schedule so you can contribute to discussions and group projects in meaningful ways. Your presence in the course will only be apparent if you participate!

How will I communicate with the instructor during the course? back to top

Most instructors can be contacted through e-mail in the course and may answer questions in the discussion forum. In order to better communicate with learners, some instructors may even create a questions and answers topic within the discussion forum. Your instructor will advise you about their preferred mode of communication in the course syllabus. Some instructors may give you an outside e-mail address or telephone contact to use in emergencies.

How do I check my grade? back to top

You can check your grades throughout the semester by going to the "grades" tab in Angel and running a report. You can also check your final grades by accessing MyTMCC.

I need to contact the tech support. What information do I need to provide? back to top

You must provide your student ID number. This number can be found on your student ID card or in MyTMCC.

Why can't I view links or videos in Angel? back to top

The Angel LMS uses a secure Webserver to protect your personal and academic information. Internet Explorer 8 will block content that is not delivered securely (videos, links to other Web sites, etc.) unless you choose no to the question, "Do you want to view only the Web page content that was delivered securely?"

How to disable and turn off the "Do You Want To View Only the Web page Content that Was Delivered Securely" security warning back to top

  1. Launch Internet Explorer.
  2. Click on Tools -> Internet Options.
  3. Go to Security tab.
  4. Select Internet zone (default selection).
  5. Click on Custom level… button under "Security level for this zone" section.
  6. Under “Miscellaneous” branch, for Display mixed content parameter, select the radio button of Enabled.

Successful distance learners do just as well, if not better, without people looking over their shoulders. back to top

While some people need teachers to keep them motivated and on task, distance learners are able to motivate themselves. They realize that they will never be face to face with the people who give them assignments and grade their work, but they don’t need others to encourage them. The most successful students are self-motivated and set their own goals.

Successful distance learners never (or at least rarely) procrastinate. back to top

You’ll rarely find distance learners putting off assignments or waiting until the last moment to write their papers. These students enjoy the freedom of working at their own pace and appreciate the ability to complete their work in as much time as it takes them, instead of waiting for an entire class. However, they understand that putting off their work too often can end up adding months, if not years, to their studies.

Successful distance learners have good reading comprehension skills. back to top

While most people learn by listening to lectures and taking notes, the majority of distance learners are expected to master material through reading alone. Although some distance learning courses offer video recordings and audio clips, most programs require that students understand a large amount of information that is only available through written text. These students are able to comprehend texts at the college level without the direct guidance of a teacher.

Successful distance learners can resist constant distractions. back to top

Whether it’s the phone ringing off the hook, the kids screaming in the kitchen, or the allure of the TV, everyone faces distractions. Successful students know how to filter out the constant disturbances that threaten their progress. They feel comfortable turning down an invitation or letting the machine pick up the phone when they know there is work to be done.

Successful distance learners feel alright about missing the social elements of traditional schools. back to top

Sure, they realize that they’ll miss out on the physical college activities, but they’re convinced that the independence is absolutely worth it. Whether they’re mature adult learners who aren’t interested in the hype, or younger students who get their socialization from extracurricular activities elsewhere, they are comfortable with their current social situation. In place of classroom discussion, they explore the issues with their peers through e-mail and message boards or discuss what they’re learning with spouses or coworkers.