Online Course Overview
Seminole State College offers a variety of online courses that allow you to complete course work from a home or office computer at a time that is convenient for you.
Online courses are designed to foster interaction between you, your instructors and your peers. E-mail and online discussion boards will keep you connected, and many of the social dynamics of the traditional classroom will be encouraged. The focus will be on you, the learner.
Your online course may include some or all of the following components:
- Online discussions via e-mail and bulletin board postings
- Web links to information sources related to the class
- Online quizzes and surveys
- Real-time chats with the instructor and fellow students
- Texts and/or workbooks to read and study
- Online course content that supplements or replaces a regular textbook
- On-campus activities such as course orientation and testing sessions
Online Course Requirements
Access to a personal computer
- A Pentium I processor or better is recommended. If you do not have a computer at home, or if you have trouble using your system, you are welcome to complete your course work in any campus computer lab or library.
Internet access with an e-mail account
- In order to take an online course, you must have access to a computer that can be connected to the Internet. This means that your computer must be on a network or have a modem. While there is no modem-speed requirement, you will find it easiest to complete your course work with a minimum 58.8 baud rate modem. Faster is better. Most students consider high-speed cable or DSL Internet connections preferable.
- In addition to an Internet connection, you must have a Web browser and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that provides you with Internet access for a monthly fee. As a general guideline, unlimited Internet access costs between $20 and $40 a month, depending on the speed of your connection (i.e. dial-up, cable, or DSL).
- Your ISP can help you acquire and configure the software you need to connect to the Internet.
Basic experience using desktop operating systems and the Internet
- A basic familiarity with using a computer and "surfing" the Internet is important when taking a class in an online environment.
Remember: These are the basic specifications needed to successfully complete an online course. More sophisticated computer systems and faster Internet connections are always preferred.
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