eLearning FAQ's
General:
- Why would I take an eLearning course?
- Am I a good candidate for an eLearning course?
- Who teaches the LKDSB eLearning courses?
- What if I do not have a home computer with internet?
- How does an eLearning course affect university or college applications?
- What if I have a problem during my eLearning course?
- When can I take an eLearning course?
- How are eLearning courses scheduled?
- Can I take an eLearning course offered from another school board?
- How do I enroll in an eLearning course?
- How many online courses can a student take?
- Does an eLearning course count toward an Ontario Graduation Diploma?
- How computer literate do I have to be to take an online course?
Computer/Internet:
- What type of computer equipment do I need?
- Do I need an Internet connection at home?
- Do I need a high-speed Internet connection?
- How much computer expertise and skill does one need to be successful in an online course?
- What if I have a problem accessing my online course?
Attendance:
- How much time a week will I need to spend working on my online courses?
- How often are students required to log in?
- How does the teacher know when I am ‘attending’ the course?
About An eLearning Course:
- Are online courses harder or easier than regular classroom courses?
- Will I be in a class or am I the only one taking the online course?
- What if I don’t understand a question or don’t know what to do next?
- How do I contact my teacher?
- Will I be able to contact online classmates?
- Are there exams?
- Will I have a schedule for handing in my assignments?
- Will I need a textbook?
- How is the course content determined and the final mark calculated?
- Where will I be located when taking an eLearning course?
General:
1. Why would I take an eLearning course?
Your school does not offer the course you require or it will not fit into your timetable.
2. Am I a good candidate for an eLearning course?
Take an eLearning Quiz and view an eLearning Demo to determine your readiness at http://oelc.ca.
3. Who teaches the LKDSB eLearning courses?
Certified teachers employed by the LKDSB deliver the eLearning courses. These teachers have been trained in the delivery and methodology of online instruction.
4. What if I do not have a home computer with internet?
A school computer may be used during the school day and any computer with internet access after school hours, such as the Public Library.
5. How does an eLearning course affect university or college applications?
Online courses are considered the same as regular day school courses. The delivery mode is different by the curriculum and assessment are the same. Courses and marks will appear on your transcript and be included in the university or college application process.
6. What if I have a problem during my eLearning course?
Through the online classroom, you have the ability to 'talk' securely with your teacher by email, instant messaging and/or chatroom. Your Guidance Counsellor is your contact at school and may be able to assist you, or will contact the teacher or Program Consultant to assist you.
7. When can I take an eLearning course?
In LKDSB, senior level courses are offered to assist students in earning courses required for graduation, post-secondary programs. These situations may occur due to timetable conflicts, a required course is full or a required course is not offered at the home school of the student. Students should meet with a Guidance Counsellor to ensure prerequisites are met.
8. How are eLearning courses scheduled?
Students will be enrolled into an eLearning course(s) during the semester that it is offered. The remainder of the timetable will include other courses from his/her home school to a maximum of four courses/semester. Students engage in the eLearning course during their spare period, in the evenings and weekends.
9. Can I take an eLearning course offered in another school board?
Yes, if the course is not offered by LKDSB. Please meet with your Guidance Counsellor to explore this opportunity.
10. How do I enroll in an eLearning course?
Follow the registration process outlined on the LKDSB eLearning homepage.
11. How many online courses can a student take?
Providing the prerequisites are met, a student can take 1, 2, 3 or 4 eLearning courses in a semester. LKDSB offers three different courses each semester.
12. Does an eLearning course count toward an Ontario Graduation Diploma?
Yes, all eLearning courses offered by LKDSB meet the Ministry Expectations, are offered by one of our Secondary Schools and taught by a certified LKDSB teacher.
13. How computer literate do I have to be to take an online course?
You only need to know how to type, surf the internet, email, and manage computer files to successfully complete an e-learning course. Most students who are familiar with computers should be able to meet the computer literacy requirements for the e-course.
Computer/Internet:
1. What type of computer equipment do I need?
2. Do I need an Internet connection at home?
No. You can work on assignments on a computer without an internet connection. You will however, require an internet connection to login to the eLearning classroom, submit assignments into the dropbox, post messages on the discussion board and contact your teacher and classmates. To access the internet, a school computer can be used during the day or computer such as one in the Public Library after school hours.
3. Do I need a high-speed Internet connection?
No. But if you have a dial-up connection at home, you may want to use some features of the course at school where you can get your work done more quickly.
4. How much computer expertise and skill does one need to be successful in an online course?
You only need to know how to type, surf the internet, email, and manage computer files to successfully complete an e-learning course. Most students who are familiar with computers should be able to meet the computer literacy requirements for the e-course.
5. What if I have a problem accessing my online course?
Contact your Cuidance Counsellor or Carole Scott at scottca@lkdsb.net
Attendance:
1. How much time a week will I need to spend working on my online courses?
You should expect to spend approximately the same amount of time working on your eLearning course as you would in your regular courses.
2. How often are students required to log in?
Students should expect to login to the eLearning classroom (D2L) daily to check the homepage for announcements from the teacher, pick up email or instant messages, review course content or assignments.
3. How does the teacher know when I am ‘attending’ the course?
Teachers submit student attendance weekly. Students "attend" an eLearning class by participating in discussions and posting/submitting their work. If you are not meeting these "attendance" expectations, your teacher will contact you directly to find out what assistance you might need to get back on track. Desire2Learn also tracks when you log in and what pages you open. This information is available to both you and your teacher on the User Progress page.
About An eLearning Course:
1. Are eLearning courses harder or easier than regular classroom courses?
eLearning courses and regular classes are considered equal in terms of course expectations and requirements. However, some students may find eLearning courses challenging because the teacher is not there physically to teach them and keep them on task.
2. Will I be in a class or am I the only one taking the online course?
Usually, you will be in a class with other students.
3. What if I don’t understand a question or don’t know what to do next?
Your teacher is available to you within D2L by email, instant messaging or the discussion board. If there is something you are unsure about contact your teacher. Please be aware this may mean that you need to wait up to a day for a response. If possible, try to work on a different section until you can proceed. As well, your course has a discussion board set up where you and your classmates can interact and answer each others questions related to the course.
4. How do I contact my teacher?
You will contact your teacher through the eLearning classroom, D2L (Desire to Learn). The communication can be by email, instant messaging or discussion board, but will always be through D2L.
5. Will I be able to contact online classmates?
Yes, you will contact your classmates the same way that you contact your teacher... within D2L, you will use email, instant messaging or the discussion board.
All courses offered by LKDSB will have an exam at the end of the semester. It will be written in your home school on a computer and supervised by a teacher.
7. Will I have a schedule for handing in my assignments?
Yes! Just like your regular courses you will need to hand in assignments as the course progresses.
Depending on the course, you may or may not need a textbook. If one is required, it will be loaned to you by the teacher/school offering the course and must be returned.
9. How is the course content determined and the final mark calculated?
The course follows the Ministry Curriculum. The assessment and evaluation policy will be provided by the teacher at the beginning of the course. Provincial Report Cards will be issued by the school offering the eLearning course at the Midterm and Final reporting periods.
10. Where will I be located when taking an eLearning course?
You will have the flexibility to work on your eLearning course during your spare period, in the evenings and on weekends. You may work at school, home or another convenient location.