Orientation
Welcome
Online learning requires that a student possess certain skills, behavior, study habits, computer equipment and discipline in order to be successful. Therefore, students enrolled in online courses through RODP/ROCE are encouraged to complete an Online Mastery Test.
Getting started online: Where do I begin?
- Read and complete all of the sections of this orientation.
- Make sure that you have access to a computer with Internet connection.
- Verify that all of your classes have been listed in eLearn.
- Note the Technical Help Desk Number: 1-866-550-7637
- Find your campus contact’s e-mail address and telephone number.
Try a Sample Module!
To learn about the Desire2Learn course management system, visit http://elearn.rodp.org/ and log in with the following credentials:
Username: guest
Password: guest
Desire2Learn User Documentation
The following job aids for the Desire2Learn learning management system are available to help you get the most out of your online learning experience. Check back often for information on new resources and tools.
Getting Started
How to Use Email
- About Email
- Composing & Creating Email
- Managing Email Messages
- Using Email Folders
- Using the Address Book
How to Submit Assignments via the Dropbox
How to Use the Discussion Board
How to Use the Checklist
How to Use the Classlist
The following PDF documents are available for download. They describe various features of the Desire2Learn course management system.
- Calendar
- Course Content
- Discussions
- Dropbox
- Getting Started
- Giving Feedback
- Grades
- Locating a Course
- User Preferences
- Quizzes
Technical Requirements
| Type | Components | Requirements |
| Mac Users | Operating System | OS X, version 10.4 or later |
| Office Suites |
-Microsoft Office 2004 or later; or, |
|
| Windows Users | Operating System | Windows XP, Vista, or 7 |
| Office Suites |
-Microsoft 2003 or later; or, |
|
| Cross-Platform Requirements | Internet Connection | 56K dial-up, DSL, or cable internet connection; Please note that performance will vary based on connection speed.* |
| Browser |
-Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher -Firefox 2.x or higher -Safari 2.x or higher |
|
| Browser Plug-Ins |
-Adobe Acrobat |
|
| Multimedia |
-Sound card -Speaker -Microphone** |
|
|
* - Some courses with multimedia or other large file content may require extensive download time for users on a dial-up connection. |
||
Technical Skills Assessment
Are you ready technologically? Answer the following questions honestly to determine if you have adequate computer hardware and software to successfully take an online course. Respond YES or NO to each question.
- I have Internet Explorer 5.0 or later or Netscape 4.x or later on my computer
- I have a current word processing program on my computer (MS Word recommended)
- My Internet access is via 56K modem or better
- I have either of the following systems:
-A Pentium II Class PC with Windows 98, 2000, or XP
-800 MHz or greater
-64 MB of RAM or more
-Sound card & speakers
OR
-A Mac with Mac Os 9 or later
-800 MHz or greater
-64 MB of RAM or more
-Speakers
- If you answered YES to all of these questions, you most likely have the technical requirements to take an online course. NOTE: Individual courses may also have technical requirements. Check with the instructor prior to the first class meeting.
- If you answered NO to any of these questions, you may lack the technical requirements to take an online course. Therefore, to be successful you will need to upgrade or obtain the recommended equipment.
Are you ready as a computer user? Answer the following questions honestly to determine if online learning is a good match for your current level of computer skills. Respond YES or NO to each question.
- I have frequent access to a computer AND to the Internet
- I currently have an e-mail address
- I can download documents, images or other files from the Internet
- I can participate in an online chat, listserv, or bulletin board discussion
I can perform the following computer tasks:
- Turn my computer on, off and reboot
- Comfortably use a mouse
- Create folders on the desktop and organize files
- Find lost files on my hard drive
- Create a new word processing document
- Save files to the desktop
I can perform or am aware of the following Internet skills:
- Use a URL or web address
- Use the refresh/reload button on my browser
- Create and use bookmarks or favorites
- Search the web using a search engine
- Download and install programs or plug-ins
- Send and receive e-mails
- Attach a file to an outgoing e-mail message
- If you answered YES to most of these questions, it is a good sign that you have the computer skills needed to succeed in an online course.
- If you answered NO to most of these questions, it's possible that an online course may not be your best option. You may wish to try online learning in a web-enhanced course or take an online course after developing the computer skills mentioned in the questions above.
Information and questions provided by Armstrong Atlantic State University, 2005.
Videos
