Guide to Online Learning
Just as the Internet has transformed the way people live their lives, online learning is rapidly offering new options to students pursuing their educations. The Yorkville University online learning environment provides the perfect learning platform for adults who have full-time careers or family obligations but still wish to earn a university degree.
A major advantage of online learning at Yorkville University is that the university’s courses are designed for people who need the flexibility to balance work or family commitments with their academic schedule. Students can complete their education from any location at any time of the day with a computer and an Internet connection. Support from faculty, Student Services, and the technical team is a click away.
The Benefits of Online Learning
Online Campus
Once accepted at Yorkville University, students are connected to a community called Online Campus. Yorkville’s Online Campus is a secure, password protected, and easy-to-navigate site where learning and interaction happens. Students can find what they will need for each course clearly marked on that course’s web page, including weekly schedules, readings, and assignments. Assignments are clearly outlined with straightforward upload instructions. Students never feel alone in online learning, as they are always connected to their classmates and instructors. Instructors are accessible within 24 hours by phone, email or through the online campus.
ePortfolio
ePortfolio is a unique element in online learning. It allows students to feature their best work that they wish to include in a portfolio for potential employers. With ePortfolio, students can store and organize their files in one easy-to-manage online location and access them anytime and anywhere through an Internet link.
Discussion Forums
Each online class is presented as a discussion forum that takes place over a week. The course instructor will set a topic for each class, and students will post their questions and comments about the topic in an animated and interactive online conversation, with the instructor there to shape the debate and help them dig deeper. Online learning is similar to a traditional class, only students have more time to formulate their thoughts in their own time and add greater value. They don’t have to answer questions in the moment. They can spend time researching their answers before posting them on the class discussion board, unlike in a traditional setting where discussion is limited to designated class times.
Study Commitment
Students should expect to devote as much time to an online degree as they would to a degree in a traditional in-class setting. It is strongly recommended that each student set his or her own course work/study plan, a schedule that balances the course work required with their personal obligations. For example, if a student has a new class beginning every Monday, they may want to make a habit of booking two hours every Sunday night to devote to class prep or finishing course work.
Strong Online Community
Online learning means students have access to an online environment of dedicated instructors and passionate fellow learners. If students have any questions or difficulties with the material, they can set an appointment with their course instructor. All faculty members are available to students by email, phone, or in the online campus.
One of the biggest benefits to online learning is the amount of interaction students have with each other. Not only does this allow them to get the full benefit of each other’s unique perspectives and worldviews, but it also creates an online network of professional peers, one that will continue to add value long after a student has finished the program.