Is+online+learning+for+me?

Is Online Learning for Me?
Online courses are offered on the internet using Blackboard. The courses are asynchronous — they do not meet at scheduled times — therefore students can access the courses when it is convenient for them. Some courses may have synchronous components when students and instructor are online at the same time. This page should ready you for your online learning experience at Concordia University Chicago. To check that you are ready for online learning, do the following:
 * Take an online learning self-assessment quiz self

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 * Look over the minimum computer hardware and software requirements

Online Learning Self-Assessment
Do online courses fit your learning style? Some people learn better by face-to-face interaction. The primary sources of directions and information in online courses are textual materials (either links to online articles/examples, pdfs, or readings from a textbook). Some students prefer the independence of online courses while others find it uncomfortable. While you have greater freedom of scheduling with online learning, these courses require more self-discipline than on-campus courses. The individual student must take responsibility for regularly contacting other students and the instructor and participating in discussion, chat, and assignments. It is a common misconception that online courses are less time-consuming than on-campus classes. Online courses require at least as much time to be dedicated by the student as on-campus courses. Typically successful students report having spent more time than for a regularly scheduled class.

Minimum Hardware and Software Requirements
It is important that your computer and the programs you have installed on it meet the minimum requirements for online courses at CUC.


 * The Portal:**

The CONCORDIA //Connect // web portal is a website that connects you to many of the online resources that Concordia University Chicago has to offer. Each person who uses the portal is identified through a secured single login to provide a personalized, customizable interface to give you more of the information you need.

In order to access CONCORDIA //Connect//, you need a computer with access to the Internet //(a high-speed internet connection is recommended, but not required)//. You also need a supported web browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. Once you have your browser open, use this web address to access the portal: [|http://connect.cuchicago.edu] · Logging in to the portal requires your “crf_” username and password; · once logged in, you will have easy access to the other Concordia services. · Your Concordia username is generally crf_ + the first six letters of your last name, your first initial and your middle initial. · Your initial password is randomly generated and will be mailed to you with your orientation material. · To change your password go to [|http://password.cuchicago.edu]. If you forget your password, call the Cougarnet helpdesk at 708-209-3131, they will ask you for your H#. All schedules, bills and other personal information are accessible to all students via The Portal. Follow these directions to access your personal information: · Log on to the CONCORDIA //Connect//, web portal ( http://connect.cuchicago.edu ). You can access the Banner Web general menu by clicking the "Banner Web" link under the "Bookmarks Plus" channel header on the Home tab, or follow topic-specific links to Banner Web found on the "Student Services" and "My Info" tabs. · From the Student tab you can choose from several headings: <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Personal Information: Stay in contact by reviewing that your address, email and phone information is up to date. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Student and Financial Aid: Register for classes; View your financial aid information, class schedule, official class grades; see any existing holds on your account and all tuition and account activities (detail of funds posted to your account) There are many help resources available to answer your questions within the portal. If you require technical support, please contact the CougarNet helpdesk: Phone: 708-209-3131 Email: cougarnet@cuchicago.edu Concordia faculty and students use Blackboard as a means of extending the classroom by distributing class materials over the internet (e.g. course handouts, quizzes and discussions). R egular use of Blackboard is critical to the students’ success in online courses. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Open a web browser (such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Safari or Netscape) Users can access Blackboard through the CONCORDIA //Connect// web portal ( [|http://connect.cuchicago.edu] ) <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Click on the My Courses tab, or click on the Blackboard icon. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">A list of the courses you are enrolled in will be listed on the center of the screen. (If you don’t see courses that you know you are enrolled, contact your instructor. When logging in for the first time you will be prompted to turn off the popup blocker on your web browser. Select the option to always allow popups for blackboard.cuchicago.edu. You may also receive a message notifying you that you are running an incompatible version of Java. If you do, contact the CougarNet helpdesk at (708)209-3131. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Click on the name of the course. You will see a Tool Bar (on the left) and a content page. The content page will contain materials relevant to your course.  <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">·  <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">In the Blackboard site you may find a Course Syllabus, Course Handouts, Course Discussions, Tests and Quizzes, Course Grades and/or a Course Calendar. Each Instructor may choose to use one or all these tools as part of your learning experience. <span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; msobidifontfamily: Symbol; msofareastfontfamily: Symbol; msolist: Ignore;">· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; line-height: 115%;">Please contact CougarNet (708-209-3131) if you experience problems logging in or your instructor if you have questions about the content of the course. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">T he following browsers are recommended for use with Blackboard.
 * //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">How can I get help? //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; msobidifontweight: bold; msospacerun: yes;"> **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">
 * To access Blackboard:**

<span style="color: #3f3f3f; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">**//Note: See specific syllabi as some courses may have additional technology requirements.//**
 * **<span style="color: #03487c; font-family: 'Georgia','serif'; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Both Windows and Mac ** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Memory **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;">512+ MB RAM; 60+ GB hard drive ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Network Connection **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;">56 K modem or NIC (10/100 BASE-T Ethernet)
 * Recommended: High speed broadband or DSL** ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Optical data devices **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; msofareastfontfamily: 'Times New Roman'; text-align: center;">32x CD-ROM/CD-RW; 512+ MB USB drive ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Adobe Acrobat Reader **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || Adobe Reader 8.0 or higher ||
 * **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">Adobe Flash Player **<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> || Flash 9.0 or higher ||

Tips
The more familiar you are with the online learning environment, the more you will benefit from the learning experience. cougarnet@cuchicago.edu