Studying Online
As long as you have a computer and a high-speed internet connection, you are ready for class. Courses are divided into sessions that each last approximately one week. A clear schedule is given throughout the course to help you stay on track. Sessions typically include:
- a set of objectives
- text or reading assignments
- interaction and posting requirements
- written assignments to be turned-in
- a "lecture" and content enhancement material
- a quiz or other form of assessment
Basically, you log in to receive your assignment, do your work offline at your own pace, and then go back online to interact and submit your results. To facilitate an online learning community, you are required to interact online with fellow classmates, but most courses have no set class or meeting times. This flexibility allows you to handle schedule conflicts and gives you time for athletics, work, and other activities.
Cedarville's online courses are, in many ways, very similar to their face-to-face equivalents and, in general, are neither harder nor easier. They require the same amount of effort. Structured weekly assignments provide a framework that helps students to keep on track while allowing professors to provide consistent feedback on course performance. Online course management systems such as Blackboard® provide the technology that makes that possible in Academy courses. You will take quizzes during the week and then a summative assessment of some type at the end of the section block (normally a week).
For courses that have a lab component (e.g. Principles of Earth Science) you receive a lab kit or virtual lab package and individually perform the lab and then submit the results.