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GU Home > CPSO Home > Fall 2008 Programs > Online Class Overview
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Online Class Overview

  • IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR TAKING AN ONLINE COURSE
    What is it like to take an online course? What are the computer requirements? What email account should I use? Where do I go for technical help? If you are planning on taking any one of our online offerings, please read this section carefully.

    Gallaudet University offers a selection of online courses for undergraduate, graduate or PST credits. These anytime, anywhere courses, covering topics from writing to education, allow students at a distance to study and participate in courses at the time and place of their choosing. Readings, assignments and activities are posted on the course website. Students are required to log on to the course website to post assignments electronically and to participate in online discussions. Students are responsible for obtaining their own internet access and are expected to have basic computer and internet literacy. For questions, contact online@gallaudet.edu.
  • What is it like to take an online course?
    At Gallaudet, we call our set of online learning technologies GDOC, which stands for Gallaudet Dynamic Online Collaboration. We use Blackboard technology to support our online courses.

    Typical elements of online courses include:
    * asynchronous, frequent student and faculty participation through email and electronic discussion boards
    * assigned readings, which may be either through electronic texts or paper
    * individual and group assignments and papers which can be posted online
    * use of online library resources (see the Library link for more information)
    * online quizzes and examinations
    * guest lecturers using webcasts.

    Online courses at Gallaudet are taught by internationally known Gallaudet instructors and are as rigorous as our face-to-face versions. Good time management skills are essential to succeed in these web-based courses. The experience of participating in a Gallaudet online course is highly interactive and learner-centered. Each time you "attend class," (you should expect to log on a miniumum of 3 to 5 times per week) you find a discussion in progress. The instructor can offer content overview, lectures and web-based resources, ask and answer questions, give assignments, assess your progress and give feedback through your online course and email. Fellow students discuss topics by posting comments, questions, and observations--even funny stories from time to time--just as in a traditional classroom. Your responses and contributions become part of the ongoing interaction and are an essential part of the learning community our online courses foster.
  • Computer Requirements
    A Mac or PC computer with access to the World Wide Web capable of running Netscape Navigator 7.0 or higher or MS Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher is necessary for participation in our online courses. The recommended operating system level is Windows 2000 or higher for PC or OS 9.2 or higher for Mac.

    Check to see that your web browser meets the following minimum technical requirements.

    * Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher
    * Netscape Navigator 7.0 or higher
    * JavaScript must be enabled.
    * Cookies must be enabled.

    For more specific information, see the Certified and Compatible Browsers Chart on the following page.

    If you use AOL as your internet service provider, please remember to close AOL's proprietary browser and open Internet Explorer instead to access your online course. The AOL browser may not be able to display your online course information correctly.

    Students are responsible for obtaining their own Internet access and are expected to have basic computer and internet literacy prior to the start of the course.
  • Certified and Compatible Browsers

    Blackboard Learning and Community Portal Systems TM
    Client Browser Configurations


    Generally, Internet Explorer 5.5 is the preferred browser for accessing online courses. Above are Blackboard's recommended browser versions. Client Browser Configurations marked with an "X" are Certified. Configurations that are blank are considered to be Compatible (no major known issues). Certified configurations have undergone a thorough set of testing by Blackboard Quality Assurance. If possible, please upgrade to one of the certified browser versions. If you have a PC, you should perform a WINDOWS UPDATE to ensure you have the most recent version and updates. Open Internet Explorer, go to TOOLS, click WINDOWS UPDATE, then check all the options. If you are doing this on a dial-up connection, this update may take a while.

  • Gallaudet Email
    You will be provided a Gallaudet email account. All communication will be directed to this account only. If you prefer to use your home email account (aol/hotmail/yahoo), you may forward your Gallaudet account to it.
  • Technical Help
    Integrated Technology Helpdesk: http://helpdesk.gallaudet.edu/ is Gallaudet's one stop shop for technical information or assistance. You will use your GDOC account to log in.

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