Frequently
Asked Questions About
Instructional Technology Online Courses
at the University of Houston
Can anyone
take an IT online course?
Our online courses are open to graduate students who enrolled at the University
of Houston. If you have an undergraduate degree, you may enroll as a post-baccalaureate
(PB) student, but you must be admitted to a graduate degree program in
order to receive graduate (GR) credit. Only GR credit may be applied toward
a Masters or Doctoral degree.
Where are classes held?
Online courses may take place wherever you may access the internet: at
home, at work, on the road. Usually the only required meetings are orientation
and final project presentations; for students living outside comuting
distance, meetings using video conferencing, phone or email may be arranged
with permission from the instructor. Usually there are optional face-to-face
meetings that students may attend if they need help or would like more
personal interactions with other students or the instructor.
The face-to-face meetings are usually held in the Center for Information Technology in Teacher Education (CITE) Lab, Room 327, Farish Hall, University of Houston, main campus.
For maps and driving directions, please access:
When does my class meet?
Technically, there are no set class times. Online courses are conducted
"asynchronously," which means students and instructors send
messages back and forth on a course messaging system - often a listserv
or web board. Most instructors require frequent participation online.
You can log onto the system whenever it is convenient for you, at any
time, day or night, to retrieve and/or send course information and assignments.
This way you receive constant feedback and interaction, but don't have
to be online at a set time of day. Many students prefer "going to
class" in their pajamas!
Even though
classes usually do not usually meet at scheduled times, most students
feel that they spend more time interacting with their fellow students
and the instructor than in a traditional face-to-face class. Class time
becomes virtually all the time instead of a scheduled 3 hour class meeting.
Unlike a correspondence class where students complete assignments independently
of the rest of the enrolled students and often without any dialogue with
the instructor, our IT Online classes require students to actively participate
and become an integral and vital part of the electronic learning community.
Do online courses have real instructors?
Yes, just like traditional face-to-face courses, an online course has
an IT faculty member who develops the curriculum, conducts the class,
gives the assignments, answers questions, leads discussions, and assigns
grades. This faculty member often offers the same course in a face-to-face
format.
Will a lot of other people be enrolled in my class?
No, enrollment in each online class is limited, and most classes are no
larger than 20 students and are usually smaller, allowing for more one-on-one
attention from your instructor.
Maybe I'll miss the real dialogue of a classroom, will I be able to
communicate with the instructor or other students?
A lot of people mistakenly assume that they'll feel isolated in an online
course. To their surprise, most find that online courses actually provide
a high degree of personal contact. Not only will you and your instructor
communicate directly, everyone in the class will be involved in many group
and individual discussions. Far from being an impediment to communication,
the online format facilitates and enhances it in ways that would be impossible
in other situations.Many students comment that they think that they know
their classmates better than they would in a face-to-face course since
there is more time and opportunities to "talk." In addition,
the discussion is not always led by the instructor, but often is initiated
and enhanced by the students.
Do I need a special computer?
Most any PC or Macintosh computer will be just fine, but you will also
need a modem and a reliable connection to the Internet. Think of this
computer as your transportation to class and have a backup plan available
in case you "car" is in the shop!
Will I need to buy and learn to use complicated software?
Each class requires specific software for your computer. In many cases
a trial copy is available from a download site at no charge. In some cases,
you may be asked to buy or borrow a piece of hardware to evaluate. In
this case, several options - including coming in to our CITE lab on the
main campus or visiting a nearby computer lab - may be available for students.
When can I start and how much time do I get to complete a course?
Each course has a start date and an end date that correspond to the regular
semester dates at the University of Houston. In between, the schedule
of coursework, assignments and due dates are determined by each instructor
and may be more flexible than a face-to-face course.
Do I need to buy a textbook?
Most courses require a textbook which you're free to obtain however you
wish. The following online bookstores offers secure online orders:
- UH
Bookstore
http://www.bkstore.com/uh/ - Varsity
Books
http://www.varsitybooks.com - Amazon
http://www.amazon.com
Who will help me if I run into a technical problem?
It is best to identify a friend at home or at work who will help you over
the technical snags. Your instructor can help you with course-related
problems, but because there are so many different types of computer systems,
it is best to find someone who is familiar with the particular system
you have.
Is my online course part of a face-to-face course?
No, every online course operates independently. They are designed and
conducted especially to take advantage of the online format.
Will I get a grade?
Yes, the online course is identical in requirements, assignments and grading
to a face-to-face course.
Can I get an entire degree online?
We are currently working on developing 5 courses (15 credit hours) for
an online certificate program. If a student is admitted to the Instructional
Technology Masters program, then, under some circumstances, these courses
may be used toward the 36 hour requirement.The best policy is to discuss
your educational goals with your course instructor before you complete
6 hours.
Who do I contact for more information?
You may call Sara McNeil, Bernard Robin, or Melissa Pierson for more information about enrolling in the graduate IT program or taking online courses in the Instructional Technology program area.
| Dr.
Sara McNeil Phone: 713-743-4975 Email: smcneil@uh.edu |
Dr.
Bernard Robin Phone: 713-743-4952 Email: brobin@uh.edu |
Dr.
Melissa Pierson Phone: 713-743-4961 Email:mpierson@uh.edu |