Q:What happens if I'll be away on business/vacation during part of the class?
A:No problem! That's the beauty of taking online classes--you can read each lesson at your leisure, and complete each assignment when it is convenient for you. Our online classes are designed to fit your schedule--not your instructor's!
Q:Are there any hardware or software requirements for these courses?
A:
For most of our courses, all you need is access to the Internet, an e-mail address, and Microsoft Windows 3.1 or Windows 95/98.
Students in the Introduction to Business Accounting course will need a copy of QuickBooks or QuickBooks Pro. An evaluation version of this product is available for free from http://www.intuit.com or by calling 1-800-224-0991.
Students in any of our Microsoft courses will need the current version of those applications. More information on these applications can be obtained from http://www.microsoft.com
Macintosh users are welcome in all courses except Intro to PC Troubleshooting, which deals with IBM-compatible personal computers, Introduction to Java, because the Java development platform requires you to use Windows 95, Creating Web Graphics with Paint Shop Pro, because there is no Macintosh version of Paint Shop Pro, and Windows File & Disk Management.
Q:How long are the courses?
A:Unless otherwise specified, all courses will run for six weeks. Students will receive two sets of lecture notes via e-mail each week, and at least one assignment a week, to be completed within five days. Students will also be given access to an interactive course website for assignments, reference information, and communication with the instructor and other students. The course will conclude with a final exam, to be delivered via e-mail. Students will have two-weeks from receipt to complete the final exam and submit it to the instructor for evaluation and feedback.
Q:What happens after I enroll?
A:After you enroll, you will receive an e-mail syllabus describing the course content and a basic orientation to our online program.
Q:What happens if I get stuck or confused?
A:When you need help, you place your question or inquiry on the course Bulletin Board where the instructor, one of our course administrators or another student will respond.
Q: How is taking an Internet workshop different from reading a computer book?
A:Like books, much of the information in our Internet workshops will be conveyed to you in writing. But the similarities between books and our Internet workshops end there. In particular:
- We believe that computer skills are best acquired by coupling hands-on experience with information and expert advice. Each of our Internet workshops comes complete with weekly assignments carefully designed to give you the practical hands-on experience required to reinforce the material covered in your lecture notes. Each assignment will be evaluated by your instructor and returned to you with meaningful feedback.
- What’s more, our workshops are crafted to exploit the interactive nature of the Internet, virtually ensuring that all of your course-related questions are answered! During the class, you will remain in constant contact with your instructor for information and advice. During the class, you are always welcome to contact the instructor directly should you have any questions, observations, or concerns about the materials covered. Although most computer books are great at force-feeding you expert advice, none can give you the practical experience and level of interaction delivered by just one of our Internet workshops!
- Because of the frenzied rate of change in the computer industry, keeping up with technology is becoming exceedingly difficult. Since many computer books are written many months before they are published, much of the material in these books is often out-of-date by the time the books hit the store shelves. The dynamic nature of the Internet makes it easy for us to frequently update the material you receive so that our Internet workshops are as timely, topical, and up-to-date as today’s newspaper!
Q:How is taking an Internet workshop different from classroom instruction?
A:In today’s fast-paced world, many of us find it difficult to take time away from work and family to attend school. One of the primary advantages of our Internet workshops is that you can "attend class" in the comfort and convenience of your own home and office. All you have to do is log into your e-mailbox when you are good and ready to read your lecture notes and complete your assignments. Our Internet workshops fit into your schedule: you can take them before breakfast, during lunch, late at night, or at any other time you find convenient--the choice is yours!
Another advantage of our Internet workshops is the level of interaction we have carefully built into the courses. Because you will remain in constant contact with your instructor, you can get detailed answers to the questions you need answered at any time all through the course. If you think of a question, just dash off an e-mail. That’s it! Unlike traditional instruction, there’s no need to wait a week or more for the next class meeting.
Q:How is taking an Internet workshop different from video-based instruction?
A:Again, our Internet workshops are designed to exploit the dynamic and interactive nature of the Internet, ensuring that our courses are more up-to-date and more relevant to your needs than video-based instruction. In addition, the material covered in our six week courses are more detailed and comprehensive than any information that can be delivered in a videotape costing roughly the same amount.
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