 Frequently
Asked Questions
. . . about e-learning
Adapted from the FAQ at the Idaho
Electronic Campus
Q. What is e-learning at Boise
State?
A. Though Boise State offers students a wide
variety of ways to engage in distance learning--including courses
broadcast over TV--the focus of most e-learning at Boise
State is learning that uses the Internet as the primary way of uniting teachers
with students and distributing course content. For the most part, faculty
at Boise State use the Internet in instruction in one of the following ways:
- creating web sites that complement
face-to-face teaching
- developing course sites in Blackboard
software to complement face-to-face teaching
- developing course sites in Blackboard
software to deliver courses entirely online, without any face-to-face
teaching
Most Boise State faculty who are using the
Internet in instruction are using Blackboard course-management software
(described below).
Q. What is Blackboard?
A. Blackboard is a Web-based
course-management system designed to allow students and faculty to
participate in classes delivered online or to use online materials and
activities to complement face-to-face teaching. Blackboard enables
instructors to provide students with course materials, discussion boards,
virtual chat, online quizzes, an academic resource center, and more. Q. How much does it cost to take an
online course?
A. Most courses using Blackboard as a complement to face-to-face
teaching do not cost any more or less than traditional courses. However,
some courses taught solely online may cost more than their traditional
counterparts or may require special fees. For specific information about
particular courses, see the course listings in BroncoWeb.
Additional information is available on the Extended
Studies web site.
Q. Are online programs and courses
of the same quality as programs and courses offered on campus?
A.
The quality of online programs and courses is the same as the quality of
traditional programs and courses. All online programs and courses of the seven publicly funded institutions of
higher education in Idaho--including Boise State--meet the rigorous standards of WICHE's "Principles
of Good Practice for Electronically Offered Academic Degree and
Certificate Programs".
Q. Will I receive different credit for an
online course than I would for an on-campus, face-to-face course?
A. No. The credit is the same, because you are required to achieve the same
learning outcomes.
Q. Will I be able to transfer
credits earned through online courses at Boise State?
A. Credits earned in online courses carry full
credit from Boise State. Although the credits are
transferable, colleges and universities set their own requirements for
acceptance of credits and their application toward meeting specific
program requirements. Therefore, you should consult the college or university
for specific policies relating to credit transfer. Q. What
equipment and skills do I need to take an online course?
A. At a minimum, you will need equipment and skills listed here.
However, your instructor may require you to have additional skills or
equipment. You will also need
a desire to learn and a commitment to undertake the work; the programs and
courses are challenging. Q. What kind of
online programs and courses are available at Boise State?
A. Programs and courses are available at both undergraduate and graduate
levels in many disciplines. The numbers and variety of courses can be
expected to increase. For a current listing, consult BroncoWeb.
Q. Can I earn a full degree through online
learning?
A. Yes. Boise State offers online graduate degrees in Educational
Technology and Instructional
& Performance Technology.
|
