Student FAQ

What is an online course?

Online courses are completed entirely online through the internet without meeting in a traditional, face-to-face classroom. They are self-paced to an extent, but do have due dates throughout the term (they are not correspondence courses). A course offered online has the same educational objectives as a course taught in a traditional classroom: to help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to a specific course and body of knowledge.

DMACC uses the Blackboard learning management system to deliver online courses. DMACC Tech Support and Distance Learning only support Blackboard and my.dmacc software. If your instructor uses a publisher's site, you will need to contact your instructor if you have questions or difficulties (or contact the publisher's support). You will get access to your online course one day before the course begins. Buy or order your textbook ahead of time. Log in the day before or the day the course begins.

What is the difference between a web-enhanced course, virtual course, web-blended course, and an online course?

Face-to-Face, Web-Enhanced Course (WEB9E):

Face-to-Face class at DMACC Campus or Center
Blackboard will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

[Classroom time is not lessened because of the online component.]

Online Course (WEB9D):

Taught completely online with no specific meeting times
Lectures, learning materials, assignments, tests are delivered using Blackboard
No Face-to-Face component; Students will not come to a DMACC Campus or Center
Blackboard will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

Web-Blended (Face-to-Face & Online) (WEB9B):

Partial Face-to-Face at DMACC Campus or Center
Partial Online Learning
Blackboard will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

[The course format has at least one of the course credits (15 hours) online and at least one credit (15 hours) in the classroom. The time spent face-to-face is lessened because of the online component of the course.]

Web-Blended (Virtual & Online) (WEB9H):

Partial Virtual Classroom with specific meeting times via Blackboard Collaborate (possibly face-to-face meetings as well, depending on circumstances)
Partial Online Learning
Blackboard will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

[New delivery method beginning Summer 2020; the course format has at least one of the course credits (15 hours) online and at least one credit (15 hours) in the synchronous virtual classroom. The time spent in the synchronous virtual classroom is lessened because of the online component of the course. WEB9H courses may have been previously scheduled as WEB9B but will only meet in the virtual classroom and will never meet face-to-face.]

Real-time Virtual (WEB9V):

Virtual Classroom with specific meeting times via Blackboard Collaborate (possibly face-to-face meetings as well, depending on circumstances)
Blackboard will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

[New delivery method beginning Summer 2020; this is similar to a web-enhanced course, but the regularly scheduled class meetings are conducted in a synchronous, online environment instead of a physical classroom. This virtual delivery does not meet the standards for an online course.]

Am I ready for an online course?

As a student taking an online course, you should know how to:

Assess your own technical abilities
Obtain regular access to a computer and the Internet, and have a backup plan
Perform basic computer and Internet browsing functions
Communicate efficiently and effectively in writing, text, chat, voice and voicemail
Manage time to complete tasks and meet deadlines
Direct your own learning
Work independently

What are my responsibilities for an online course?

As an online student it is your responsibility to do the following:

Access your course on a regular basis — preferably two or three times per week.
Read the syllabus and determine due dates and test dates and put them on your calendar. The instructor may use a calendar within the course that you can also utilize.
Make sure you are comfortable navigating the course and using the tools. See the Blackboard Basics for Students Course in your Blackboard "Courses" list for guides and practice or watch these training videos.
Manage time to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
Use appropriate online communications etiquette and follow the instructor's guidelines for discussions and e-mails.
Develop and use an alternate plan if your primary point of access to the online course fails. In other words, what will you do if your computer or internet crashes? It is your responsibility to keep up with your coursework even under unforeseen circumstances. If your car broke down, you would not quit going to class but would find an alternative method to get to campus. The same theory applies to your online course.
If life intervenes, make sure you contact your instructor immediately to make arrangements (i.e., to work ahead or submit assignments late).

How do I access my online course?

For instructions on accessing your online course and using Blackboard, please visit the Course Login page. Additional information can be found on the Online Basics for Students page.

You will have access to your course one day before the scheduled start date.

When do I start my online Course?

Online courses are NOT self-paced. Check the DMACC course schedule to see when your course begins. You will have access to the course one day before the scheduled start date.

How long do I have to complete my online course?

The majority of DMACC's online courses are 15-weeks in the fall and spring terms and 10-weeks for the summer term. Check the DMACC course schedule for your course(s).

Online courses are not correspondence courses. There will be regular due dates for graded activities.

Do I ever need to show up on campus to take an online course?

DMACC's policy states that an online student cannot be required to come to campus for any online courses. However, an instructor can require you to have a proctor for tests. DMACC has testing centers that can be used for these proctored tests or if you are too far away from one of our campuses, you are welcome to find your own proctor and have them fill out the paperwork required by the instructor. Web blended courses will have a face-to-face component along with the online component.

Do students get the same information/content in an online class that another student would get in an on-campus class?

Yes, all DMACC online courses must meet the same competencies as their face-to-face (F2F) counterparts and the rigor must be sufficient so that the required learning does take place. However, how you do activities in your online courses will differ from how you might do activities in a F2F class. All online courses will transfer in the same way as their F2F counterparts. In your transcript, they will not be identified as online courses.

When is it right for me to take an online class?

If you need help choosing classes, the order in which to take classes, determining how classes transfer, or anything else related, please see the Advising Website.

What if I need help while I'm taking an online class?

Contact your instructor first. For additional support, see the following options:

DMACC Online Tutoring (DOT)
DMACC Tutoring Though Email (DTE)
Click "Assist" in the blue base navigation menu in Blackboard for quick links to tutoring, counseling, advising, and more

On-campus faculty support in our Academic Achievement Centers (AACs) and peer tutoring may also be available. See the Academic Achievement Center and Tutoring pages with campus-specific contact information so you can learn more about the services offered at your nearest location.