Student resources: Strategies For Success

An online class may seem daunting, especially if you have been out of school for some time. However, there are resources available to you at the college.

If you are struggling with the course content, contact the Learning Center and make arrangements with a tutor. We also offer online tutoring for those students unable to come to campus. The Learning Center is located in R163 and can be reached by calling 406-771-5127.

If you have a disability and need special accommodations, contact our Disability Coordinator Kathy Meier at 406-771-4311.

If you are struggling with D2L and how to navigate in the Learning Management System, contact the Distance Learning Department in A120 across from Student Central and next to the Library by calling 406-771-4440.

If you are struggling with finding research for your coursework or need to use a computer lab, visit the campus Library. Students unable to come to campus can also access library databases right from home if you sign up for this proxy service. If you have questions, call the Library at 406-771-4398 for assistance.

If you are struggling with computers or technology or lack specific skills to be successful, short 1-credit courses are available to students through the Outreach Department.

If you don't have access to a computer, we have a computer lab in the Library and computers in the Distance Learning Office for students who need one-on-one help.

All distance education students are expected to follow guidelines and rules in the college catalog. Learning online also requires students to be self-motivated and willing to solve problems related to technology. Online classes take as much or more time to complete as regular face-to-face classes. To be successful, take advantage of the many resources available to you. If you are unsure where to go for help, stop by the Distance Learning Office and we will point you in the right direction.

1. Windows Vista
2. 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
3. 1GB of system memory
4. Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM drier, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum), Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel
5. 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space
6. DVD-ROM Drive
7. Audio output capability
8. Internet access capability
9. Wireless capability for on campus
10. Microsoft Office Professional 2007 (for computer application courses)

1. Can you run the applications you need to use on a computer? This includes any specific applications which may be required for the courses you plan on taking.
   
   
2. Can you create, save and manage files on your computer?
   
   
3. Do you know how to install software on your computer if you need to?
   
   
4. Do you currently have an e-mail address?
   
   
5. Do you know how to send and receive e-mail messages?
   
   
6. Do you know how to attach a file to an e-mail message?
   
   
7. Do you know how to "paste" text from a word processor into an email message?
   
   
8. Do you know how to receive a file attachment from an incoming email message?

If your computer does not meet the minimum requirements listed above, we recommend you upgrade your computer before taking an online class. However, MSU–Great Falls also has a computer lab available to students who are able to commute to campus. The computer lab is located in the library. If the library hours do not meet your needs, contact the Help Desk to make arrangements to use a computer room. The Help Desk can be reached at 406.771.4433, 800.446.2698, or by email at helpdesk@msugf.edu.

If you answered "No" to any of the questions for Basic Computer Skills, you should take advantage of any resources in your area to acquire these technical skills before taking an online course. The Outreach Department offers 1-credit computer courses that may be beneficial to you. The Distance Learning Department on campus conducts training sessions the first week prior to the beginning of each semester to acquaint you with your online course navigation. A computer lab is located in the campus library for students to use while taking their online course, and students are encouraged to drop by the Distance Learning Office for technical assistance or email distance@msugf.edu for help.

1. Do you stay on task without direct supervision (or do you work best when someone is there to help keep you focused)?
   
   
2. Can you prioritize your own workload (or do you tend to put tasks off for later)?
   
   
3. Do you learn best from reading source material and completing activities (or do you learn best from spoken or visual presentations)?
   
   
4. Do you enjoy learning new computer or technology skills (or does the thought of having to learn new computer or technology skills cause you anxiety)?
   
   
5. Do you usually understand written instructions (or does having instructions explained make a big difference for you)
   
   
6. Are you planning to allocate as much time in your schedule for your online course as you would for a more "traditional" classroom course (because the workload and time commitment will be the same!)?
   
   
7. Are you good at assessing your own progress (or do you need instructor feedback right away)?

If you answered the above questions affirmatively, great! You are ready to attend online classes!

If your answers lean more toward the statements/questions in parentheses, then you may find the online learning environment less satisfying. Most of our online courses use email-based interaction which can be less satisfying than face-to-face communication for some learners. The online classroom requires you to structure your own schedule, balancing your time around the assignments/ requirements of the class. Without the need to show up in a particular place at a designated time each week, some learners find it all too easy to put work off until the last minute. Much of the material covered in a typical online class will require you to learn from reading. This may include textbooks, Internet-based materials and written "lectures" or notes from your instructor.

This self assessment has been created to help you decide if online learning is for you. It can serve as an indicator but not as a definitive answer. If you have any questions about taking a course online, please contact us. We are here to assist you!

Tests must be given by an acceptable proctor and identified by the student in advance of the first test. Acceptable proctors include:

1. Dean, Department chairperson or registrar of a college or university
   
   
2. Professional staff of an adult or continuing education office, community or testing center at a college or university
   
   
3. Public or private school superintendent, principal, or counselor
   
   
4. Certified librarian
   
   
5. Civil Services Examiner
   
   
6. Judge of Court of Law
   
   
7. Staff of MSU Cooperative or Extension Office
   
   
8. Relatives may not service as a test proctor regardless of position
   
   
9. A postage-paid envelope will be provided to the proctor for returning testing materials.

1. Examine the learning outcomes/curriculum and outline of the course in the syllabus and calendar.
   
   
2. Make sure that you understand what you are expected to gain from the course.
   
   
3. Plan a schedule that allows you to work through the material.
   
   
4. Complete the required course orientation.
   
   
5. Begin your study program by reading through the course material to familiarize yourself with the content.
   
   
6. Read the assigned lecture or lesson for the week.
   
   
7. Make note of stated learning goals and/or provided focus questions for the week.
   
   
8. Read assigned textbook readings, make notes of important information.
   
   
9. Follow up any links which are provided to other parts of the course or to outside references (focus on learning goals or focus question answers).
   
   
10. Carry out the learning activities such as weekly discussions, citing of sources, quizzes, journals, assignments or other activities.
    
    
11. ASK QUESTIONS before problems grow out of control.  Communication is the key to online courses. They are learning communities where instructors and students work together to learn.