eLEARN provides a great educational tool for some—evaluate your motivation, your time and your discipline to see if it is right for you.

REQUIREMENTS—ARE YOU READY FOR
eLEARN?

Student Needs

Online learning provides a great educational tool for some, but it is not for everyone. Many online programs report that half of their enrollees never complete a course. Before enrolling, here are some factors to consider.

Your Motivation
Online courses are not "easier" than in-class courses, when they are done right. Be prepared for as much if not more work on your part. What you learn will depend upon the energy and effort you bring to the learning activities and to the online interaction with the instructor and your fellow students.

Your Time
Online courses should require as many hours of work as an in-class course. A three credit hour course will require between nine to twelve hours each week to complete. Make sure you will be able to put in the necessary time.

Your Discipline
Because of the above factors, online courses often require more personal discipline than their in-class versions. You will need to establish and maintain your own routine to ensure that you complete learning activities and assignments by the course due dates.

Before you get started, we strongly recommend E 4 ME.
The Ohio Learning Network provides an introductory online learning course called E 4 ME. In one month you learn how to become a successful online student, determine your technical and online skill levels, and find help determining the best program for your needs.
Access E 4 ME at http://www.e4meohio.org.

Equipment and Software Needs

• usually some form of the Windows operating system (95, 98, 2000, NT) We are aware of some compatibility issues with the newer Windows XP. Some of those recommendations will be included with your startup instructions. Our IT Helpdesk will help students resolve issues with any system.
  
• A computer able to run either Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.x or Netscape 4.x or higher
  
• An Internet account and a modem capable of at least 33.3 K delivery (56 K is a preferable minimum)
  
• A CD-ROM player on your computer for multimedia materials
  
• Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft Works, Word or Word Perfect.
  
• Some courses will require a combination of Real Player, Quicktime, Windows Media Player, or Shockwave player.
  
• Most courses are developed and tested on PC platforms. While every effort is made to choose software and methods that are Macintosh friendly, courses are not tested on Macintosh platforms, and will not be guaranteed to work on them. As we become aware of compatibility or incompatibility we will inform students regarding specific courses or resources.
  
• Some online courses with specific technology requirements will request you to complete a set of technological preparation tasks before the start of the course. You will be provided with clear instructions and given ample time to carry out the setup and verification of your ability to use the course technology. This will ensure that you don't get started and then face insurmountable technology problems. But don't panic! We try very hard to make this experience as pleasant as possible for even computer novices.