Online Courses

What Does it Take to Take a Course?

Elders’ Institute online courses are typically six weeks long. Course participants should plan to work on the course approximately four to six hours each week to complete the course readings, assignments and exercises; respond to other course participants’ postings and communicate with the course instructor on the course website.

A prior knowledge of the Internet and online courses is helpful, but never required. Qualified, technical support is available throughout every course. All course participants receive an online course handbook with technical and practical information.

Course participants are encouraged to work on a particular unit at their own pace during the week but are asked to follow the general timeline of the course and move on to the next course unit at the beginning of each week. This ensures fruitful dialogue about course content and assignments. Students participate by posting assignments, responding to discussions and asking questions. Regular posting is the only way to be present in an online course.

Requirement for Online Learning at Elders' Institute

You must be able to say YES to the following questions about computers and computer skills:

• I have regular access to a computer with at least 64 MB RAM and 20 MB storage.
  
• I have my own email account and Internet access.
  
• I am comfortable communicating through email in English. (The Elders’ Institute will be offering courses in other languages in the future.)
  
• I can send and receive email attachments.
  
• I can use search engines to find information on the Internet.
  
• I can use a word-processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word) and can copy and paste text between applications.
  
• If my computer gives me problems during a course, I know where I can go to use an alternate computer with Internet access.
  

You must also be able to say YES to these questions about time:

• I am prepared to spend approximately 4-6 hours per week on the course.
  
• I will not be away from computer access for more than three days between the beginning and end of the course.
  
• People I live with know that I will be a participant in an online course and require 4-6 hours per week to work on the course.
  

Also read: Online Course Details