How do I know if taking online courses is right for me? What do I need to think about?
Taking online classes is a different experience from taking a face-to-face class. In some ways, taking an online class can be more rewarding and exciting, but then again, in some cases it can be much harder. So you should evaluate very carefully whether or not you are ready to begin an online degree program. And if you currently have a job or family responsibilities that take a lot of your time, taking online classes may be more stressful than you expect.
In general, to be successful in online classes you need to be self-motivated so that you get the work done that is required in the courses. The majority of the time that work is done independently, so you’ll need to be able to stay ‘on task’ and get things done. That usually means staying up late working on the computer, or spending weekends studying and doing coursework instead of going to the lake. And sometimes, you might be required to figure things out on your own by looking around for solutions to problems. You might not be able to get in touch with someone to help you, so you’ll have to find a way to solve the problem yourself. So being self-motivated helps in that area as well.
It will also help you succeed if you are comfortable writing. Online courses usually require more writing than face-to-face courses simply because the professor must get interaction with the students and you are not together in a classroom to do that. So writing papers or writing on discussion boards is typical of online courses. It also is a plus if you are somewhat organized.
And finally, to be successful in online courses, you need to possess some basic technology skills so that you don’t waste time struggling with simply tasks that online courses require. We have a list of those skills listed here. (we will put a link here to the skills requirements.)
Are online courses easier?
That is a tough question to answer. Some people thrive in the online environment because they enjoy the types of activities that online courses typically include…online discussions, writing assignments, doing research on your own, etc. And people who really don’t like those types of activities might consider an online course ‘hard’. But it has been our experience that online courses require just as much time from the student as face-to-face courses. In fact, for most people online courses require more of your time than face-to-face courses. So trying to decide if online courses are harder or easier than face-to-face courses is hard to answer because you have different habits and expectations than the next person. But we can safely say that online courses do require just as much, if not more, of your time.
Another factor to consider is that each student has classes that are easier for that student than for another student. Many students noted this in previous experience in classes where some students appeared to be “gifted” in certain types of classes. The same will be true for online classes.
I only have dialup internet access at home, will I still be able to take online courses?
The reality is that you will probably access your online courses from several locations, such as home and work. So it is important to consider what type of internet connection you have at every location where you’ll get online. While some people have reported that they can ‘get by’ using a dialup connection, you will not be able to take full advantage of all that online courses have to offer if you use dialup internet access. So we suggest that you use some sort of ‘high speed’ internet connection such as DSL or Cable modems.
What are the HARDWARE (computer) REQUIREMENTS for taking an online course?
Click here to go to view Technology Requirements.
What are the BROWSER and PLUGIN requirements?
Click here to go to view Technology Requirements.
Who can help me with technical problems?
UT Online provides a 24 hr. helpdesk to help you with problems that you may have during a course. You can reach them by email at helpdesk@utm.edu, or 731-881-7900. You can also contact our office during regular working hours (8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Friday) and we can try and help you with your problem. If we can’t we can then send you to the helpdesk for assistance.
Do I need to be ADMITTED to UT Online to take online courses?
Yes, but the application is online at {http://www.utm.edu/departments/admissions/apply.php }. Each student must be admitted through the same processes as other students. The student will need to request copies of their transcript from their high school (or GED) and copies of transcript from each college that they have attended. Due to federal privacy laws the high school and each college will require a signed statement to be faxed or mailed to the institutioin with the student’s full name, social security or student ID number, the approximate dates of attendance. These transcripts should be sent to Admissions Office, 200 Hall Moody Administration Bldg., UT Martin, Martin, TN 38238. Fax copies direct from the institution may be acceptable while formal copies are sent through the mail.
How do I REGISTER for online courses?
To register for online courses is the same as registering for a campus course. You have to be a BUS major and not be taking any courses on campus to register early for courses. If you are a campus student you can register for the online courses on the first day of regular classes as long as you are willing to pay the additional fees for the online course.
How much does it COST to take an online course?
Click here to find out about Tuition and Fees.
How do I PAY TUITION and fees?
Most distance students pay their fees by credit card, but checks can be accepted. Checks are to be mailed to the Business Office, 116 Hall Moody Administration Bldg., UT Martin, Martin, TN 38238 or you can do an electronic check in Banner.
How do I GET my BOOKS?
You can order your books form the UTM bookstore (http://utm.bncollege.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/BNCBHomePage?storeId=25553&catalogId=10001&langId=-1 ) or from any web site you prefer such as Amazon.
How do I GET an E-MAIL address?
The university assigns you an email address once you are registered for courses. If you have a home or work email address that you use we also need this because this is the main way that we stay in touch with you during the semester especially before you get your UTM email address assigned to you. If we do not have a current email address or you do not check your UTM email address you could miss important information sent to you via email.
How do I LOG IN to E-MAIL?
You can log into your email by entering myUTMartin or by check UTM web mail under the main quick links drop down box.
When can I ACCESS my COURSES?
You will not be able to access your courses until the first day of classes and they will be on Blackboard.
HOW do I ACCESS my COURSES?
Courses are accessed through Blackboard. You can enter Blackboard by the main quick links drop down box or you may log into the myUTMartin and access them this way.
Are there tests in online courses?
Yes there are tests in some online courses and some professors require students to have a proctor (someone to administer the test so students won’t cheat)
Do I ever have to come to campus?
No.
What is the process for DROPPING a UT Online course?
The process of dropping a UT Online course is the same as dropping a campus course. There are deadlines to dropping courses, especially if you wish to get a refund of some of your money or if you want no record of being registered for a course.