Advice for Taking Online Classes

1. Do not hesitate to email your instructor with any questions, concerns, or feedback you may have about the online course.
   I nstructors rely on student feedback to improve their teaching practice, particularly when using innovative educational technologies or when a particular course has not previously been taught online. If you have questions, concerns, or feedback about the content, technology, or other aspects of your online course, please email your instructor. This is especially important to do in an asynchronous online course, because instructors will not have the benefit of interacting with students in real-time to gauge their understanding of the materials and comfort level with course technologies.
2. Contact the Help Desk for support if you need it.
   The ITS Help Desk’s hours and staff resources have been expanded to better accommodate increased demand as faculty and students move to remote classes, and employees adjust to working remotely. The expanded support team is better able to share resources and provide excellent service. However, as you can imagine, the ITS Help Desk has been fairly busy these last few days, with more than a four-fold increase in phone calls alone. Please be patient as they work through the calls, e-mails, and other requests being submitted. 
   
   Beginning Monday, March 23, the ITS Help Desk hours on days when classes are held, including support via phone and e-mail, extend until 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday
   
   

   Support via	During the semester, on days when classes are held	Between semesters, and on days when classes are not held
   Phone (516-463-7777), and E-mail (help[at]hofstra.edu)	Mon.-Thu., 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fri., 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.	Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
   Walk-in (by appointment only, visit https://calendly.com/hofstraits/walkin)	Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.	Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

   The ITS Help Desk is closed on designated University Holidays. All members of the Hofstra community can call 516-463-7777 or e-mail help[at]hofstra.edu to contact the ITS Help Desk.

3. ITS has Self Service Resources for Everyone.
   As we learn together the new ways to teach, advise students, or conduct business remotely we’re all faced with unique challenges. In an effort to ease your way, there are several web-based resources with videos, printable material, and links to additional resources that you may find helpful. Here is a link to Resources for Learning Online for students: https://www.hofstra.edu/about/it/it-remote-student.html
4. Develop (and stick to) a time management plan.
   It is sometimes tempting to procrastinate with completing assignments for an online course. In asynchronous courses in particular, students are given a range of days in which to complete their work for a given unit or module. With multiple responsibilities and other courses competing for students’ time, it is understandable that the work for an asynchronous online course might be put off while dealing with more immediate demands. But if the work for an online course is postponed for too long, students risk submitting incomplete assignments or becoming inundated with a great deal of work at the last minute. Developing and adhering to a time management plan can help you to balance your workload, complete work at a reasonable pace, and devote sufficient time for completing assignments for your online course.  For assistance and additional help in creating a personalized time management plan, you can schedule an appointment with a success advisor in the Center for Academic Excellence by contacting CAE@hofstra.edu or by calling 516-463-2000.
5. Plan to spend more time reading and writing in your asynchronous online course.
   Because asynchronous online courses do not take place in real-time, students should plan to spend more time reading and writing than they would in a face-to-face or synchronous online course. This is because asynchronous online courses often make use of discussion forums, blogs, and similar text-based online tools to engage in class discussion, ask and answer questions, and reflect on the learning experience. Whereas interactive discussions and question-and-answer sessions in a face-to-face environment may take only a small amount of time, students are likely to find that reading and writing their way through discussions, questions, and answers in an asynchronous online course is more time-consuming than they expected.
6. Enhance bandwidth by connecting your computer directly to an Internet router or closing other applications.
   Participating in a synchronous class session using your webcam or viewing videos in an online course may be difficult if you have a low-bandwidth connection. This may result in frozen screens, distorted audio, delays, dropped connections, and/or other technical difficulties. You can enhance your bandwidth by connecting your computer directly to an Internet router or wired device rather than relying on wifi or cellular for your connection. If you are experiencing low bandwidth during a class session, you can mute your microphone, disable your webcam, and/or close other computer applications.
7. Other technical difficulties may be addressed by using a different device or web browser.
   Sometimes technical difficulties arise because of problems with the computer or web browser you are using. If this is the case, then switching to a new computer or web browser (if you are able to do so) might resolve the technical difficulties. Additionally, sometimes clearing the cache of your Internet browser can improve its performance.
8. Visit the website of your class’s learning management system or video conferencing software for tips on using the technology.
   Whether your instructor uses Blackboard, Zoom, or another product for video conferencing and otherwise managing your online class, the software company’s website is often a useful resource for advice about how to use the technology. These websites often contain information about how to use the product and its features as well as answers to frequently asked questions and other tips for users. Finding the support page of the software manufacturer is as easy as typing the product name and the word “support” into an Internet search engine.  
9. Remember that communication is key!
   Taking an online course involves a different kind of communication with your instructor. Instead of meeting face-to-face in a classroom, you will be meeting virtually, through the medium of technology. It is important to maintain communication with your instructor, either via email, discussion boards, blogs, or other methods of communication that have been set up for your course. If you have questions about course requirements, problems with technology, or any other concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact your instructor. Communication is key to a meaningful educational experience in an online course!

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