What is a Michigan Tech Online Learning class?

Michigan Tech Online Learning courses are developed for the virtual classroom using the latest distance education technologies.

Internet classes allow you to arrange your class attendance around your own schedule. Except for turning in assignments when they are due, your schedule is totally up to you. You can review lectures, ask questions, and participate in discussion groups at a time and from a place that's convenient to you.

Most Michigan Tech Online Learning courses take approximately 14 weeks to complete, largely paralleling Michigan Tech's standard academic calendar. Most instructors use Blackboard Learning Management System ( formally WebCT) to present the course content: videostreamed lectures, lecture notes, requirements, homework, objectives, readings, among other materials, at the beginning of each week for you to access when you log-on to Blackboard.

Preview a streamed video presentation

How do we communicate?

You–and other students in your online class–communicate with your instructor by e-mail anytime. You may seek clarification, respond to questions raised, or introduce other matters. Your classmates may participate in your e-mail communications with your professor and, likewise, you may engage in discussions launched by others. Should you wish, you may discuss things with your instructor privately by e-mail. In more interactive classes, student-instructor and student-student interactions occur via online "discussion boards" where you can post comments viewed by all or a select group.

What about exams?

Your instructor will tell you what is required–whether you will be asked to answer quizzes or take mid-terms and final examinations. Some quizzes and exams may be taken online and others may require proctoring. For some courses, you may be asked to submit reports, results of research, or other documents–usually delivered online by e-mail, some with attached files.