Frequently Asked Questions About Online Learning

Two of the most important things you can do to be successful in an online class is to log into the class three to five times each week and stay current with your assignments and course work. It is easy to fall behind in an online class, especially if you have a tendency to procrastinate. If you need assistance, do not be afraid to seek answers to your questions by contacting your instructor. If you have technical questions, your instructor may refer you to the NEO Helpdesk. Online classes require a high level of personal responsibility and you must be prepared to answer for your actions.

Online courses are not “easier” than face-to-face or hybrid courses. Students who take online courses often report they are more difficult and time-consuming than a face-to-face or hybrid course. Online courses place more responsibility on the student. Online students should be self-starters who manage their time and commitments well.

For each online course, plan to spend a minimum of 4 to 6 hours weekly working on course work.

It is a good idea to check into your online course daily so you do not miss any important announcements.

Spend time in the course to become very familiar with the structure of your course and know what is required of you. A good rule of thumb is to plan to complete assignments at least three days prior to the due date to avoid possible technical difficulties and other unexpected issues that may prevent you from meeting course assignment deadlines.

The following hardware and software requirements are vital to your success as a distance student at NEO A&M College:

Minimum Hardware Requirements

PC

Windows 7 or higher

Intel I3 Core or higher

AMD Athlon II X4 or higher

4 Gig of RAM

Intel HD Graphics 3000 or later

350 Gig hard drive

Mac

OSX Mountain Lion or higher

Intel I3 Core or higher

4 Gig of RAM

Internal graphics card

350 Gig hard drive

Minimum Software Requirements

Microsoft Office Suite (Available free to NEO students)*

Java*

Firefox Internet Browser*

Shockwave*

Chrome Internet Browser*

VLC

Adobe Reader*

Quicktime*

Microsoft Silverlight*

.NET

Adobe Air*

*Check your course syllabus for additional software and equipment that may be required.

This information will be provided in the course syllabus. It is important that you thoroughly read the course syllabus and other course informational documents on the first day of class.

Your instructor’s contact information will be provided in the course syllabus. Instructors will often provide their phone number, email address, office location, and available office hours. They may also indicate their preferred means of communication. As a distance student, it is imperative that you maintain good communication with your instructors to be successful in your courses. Check your email at least once per day in order to stay up-to-date on important class information.

If you choose to enroll in an online course, at least one major exam must be a proctored exam. Review your course syllabus for specific instructions regarding proctored exams. A proctored exam is monitored either by the instructor or by an approved proctor. Exams may be administered and proctored through an online proctoring platform, ProctorU. You may also be offered an opportunity to take proctored tests on campus with your instructor. Review the course syllabus for specific instructions from your instructor.

If you require assistance using Canvas, contact your instructor immediately. You may also visit NEO’s Student Guide to Online Learning to learn more about Canvas. The Student Guide to Online Services provides a series of short tutorial videos on commonly used features of Canvas.

Your first point of contact for support should be the instructor. Locate instructor contact information provided in the course syllabus. If you need additional technical assistance, the NEO Helpdesk is designed to support all students at NEO A&M College. If you are experiencing difficulty with technology, please submit a helpdesk ticket. To reach the Helpdesk by phone, call (918)540-6006. Students may also visit the office of Information Technology Services Helpdesk in room 213 of the Library Administration building.