|
|
FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
- How do I register for a distance course?
How you register for a course depends on the type of distance
course you are taking and whether you are a high school student,
undergraduate student or graduate student. Please refer to our
Registration Page for specific
information about registration.
- What is the difference between asynchronous,
synchronous, correspondence and DDN courses?
Asynchronous courses may be started at any time during the year
and are completed by the student at his or her own pace within
the designated course length. Asynchronous courses are managed
through the Office of Extended Studies and are delivered on-line
over the Internet or by paper through the mail. Print-based
courses that require students to mail hard copy of their lessons
to the Office of Extended Studies are called Correspondence
courses. Asynchronous courses that use WebCT and involve electronic
interaction with faculty members are called Internet-based courses.
They also may involve submitting hard copy of materials to the
Office of Extended Studies. Asynchronous courses, whether they
are Correspondence or Internet-based, may run either 175 or
350 days in length. Students may complete the course earlier
than the designated length, but if they fail to complete the
course by the deadline, they must request an extension or they
will be given a grade of “U” or “F.” Usually, communication
among students in such courses does not take place simultaneously.
Asynchronous communication among students in such courses can
take place using electronic bulletin boards or e-mail. In most
Correspondence Courses, students communicate only with the professor,
not with other students in the course.
Synchronous, distance learning courses are those that are offered
on a specified schedule with all students beginning the class
at the same time, interacting together simultaneously at specified
times, and completing the course simultaneously. Synchronous
courses usually start at the beginning of a regularly scheduled
semester and end at the end of that semester. There are, however,
exceptions, such as courses that run for only one-half of a
semester or those that are held during an interim period. In
all cases, there are regularly scheduled class meetings when
students interact with one another and with the faculty member
simultaneously. Distance learning, synchronous courses most
often are delivered using videoconference technology (DDN -
Digital Dakota Network or IP – Internet Protocol) that involves
interactive audio/video sessions. Some synchronous courses are
delivered entirely on-line over the Internet. At NSU the on-line
courses are managed using WebCT software. The synchronous on-line
courses begin and end on designated dates, often have due dates
for assignments throughout the course, and may or may not involve
synchronous events. If synchronous events are scheduled, they
can be mediated by Net Meeting software, conference call or
on-line chat technology.
- How do I get a WebCT user ID?
When you enroll in courses at Northern State University, you
are given an NSU student identification number (7 digit number).
This number is BOTH your username and your password for WebCT.
Go to http://webct.northern.edu/webct/public/home.pl
(or just go to NSU's homepage and click on the WebCT button),
then click on "Go to Web CT" and when prompted to enter a username
and password, use the 7 digit student ID mentioned above. You
may change your password after successfully logging into the
system. Once logged in, the classes you are taking THAT USE
WEBCT should show up. If they do not show up, the course either
doesn't use WebCT or the instructor hasn't added you to the
course yet. Contact the instructor. If unable to locate the
instructor, call the WebCT administrator at 605-216-2947.
- How do I access library materials?
Please refer to the Library's Distance
Education homepage.
- How do I access my distance course?
Correspondence Courses – After the Office of Extended
Studies has enrolled you in the course, we will mail you a course
outline book. This outline book contains course information
along with the lessons that you will need to complete.
Asynchronous Internet Courses – After the Office of Extended
Studies has enrolled you in the course, we will mail you a course
schedule and a welcome letter for the course. The welcome letter
has detailed instructions on how to access your course via
WebCT. Your course schedule contains your WebCT Username
and Password.
- How do I get a NSU Outlook e-mail account?
Students taking distance classes do not automatically get an
NSU e-mail account. If a distance student would like an email
account, they must request one through the help desk by calling
(605) 626.2283 or emailing help@northern.edu.
- How will I receive my distance course
grades?
If you are taking a correspondence course, your lessons will
be returned to you after the instructor has graded them. Your
test scores will be mailed to you, however, the actual exam(s)
will not be returned. When the instructor has issued you a final
grade, the Office of Extended Studies will send you an unofficial
transcript. If you are taking an asynchronous Internet course,
your grades for lessons and exams will be posted in WebCT. When
the instructor has issued you a final grade, the Office of Extended
Studies will send you an unofficial transcript. If you have
any questions regarding your grades for correspondence and/or
asynchronous Internet courses, please contact your instructor
or the Office of Extended Studies.
- Other Questions
Still have a question? Email it to help@northern.edu
or fill out the form below.
top of page
|
