E-Learning (Distance) Classes

E-Learning courses are delivered through:

• Audio Conference - an e-Learning course via audio conference (by phone or other audio connection) as the dominant delivery method, often with other supporting e-Learning components.
• Web Conference/Meeting - an e-Learning course that require attendance in online meetings during scheduled times.
• Satellite (UATV) - an e-Learning course that is broadcasted via satellite as the dominant delivery method, often in conjunction with other e-Learning methods.
• Online/Web - an e-Learning course via website or Internet as the primary delivery method.
• Multimedia - an e-Learning course that uses a combination of the methods listed above.

UAS offers many of its courses through e-Learning. Often there will be an on-campus section as well as an e-Learning section for the same course in a given semester.

The easiest way to find out if a course is offered via e-Learning, is to check the Course Schedule. When looking through the course schedule, under the Building/Room section, if it is an e-Learning course it will have one of the following for the Building/Room. For a visual, view this graphic.

• DIST
• DIST AUDIO
• DIST ELIVE
• DIST SATLTE
• DIST WEB

The course section number will also be one of the following:

• JD#
• KD#
• TD# or UD#

Students who live in Juneau, Ketchikan or Sitka who are in e-Learning programs can choose to take their degree requirements on-campus if the courses are offered.

Students who live in Juneau, Ketchikan or Sitka who are in on-campus programs can choose to take e-Learning courses for some of their degree requirements as well.

View what programs are offered via e-Learning.

Although the course content remains unchanged, some students find e-Learning courses more difficult than traditional college courses. The following skills are essential for success in distance education:

• Work and learn independently,
• manage your time,
• gather information from a variety of sources,
• strong academic skills,
• goal-oriented, and
• the ability to commit time.

Yes, you can take e-Learning classes from the comforts of your home as long as you have a computer with the ap

Computer Requirements

Before you begin, you must be sure you are working on a computer that has the following minimum requirements:

Connection Speed

To use Elluminate Live, broadband is preferred, or a minimum of a 56 Kbps (.056 Mbps) connection speed. To check your connection speed, use the following bandwidth meter.

It depends on the course you are taking. Some e-Learning courses do have designated meeting times, while others do not.

Generally it will be specified in the course schedule under the meeting times, or the instructor will make note of it in the course syllabus.

• Log into UASOnline, click on your course, click on Web Meeting.

If you have questions about using Elluminate:

• Go to www.elluminate.com/support.  The site will help you check to make sure you have the software you need and let you go to a sample web meeting to try out your microphone and speakers.
• Visit the UAS Elluminate Support page www.uas.alaska.edu/its/instructional_support/technologies where you’ll find a link to a Video Overview and Documentation.
• Call the Helpdesk at 907-796-6400.

It could be due to technical issues at the main campus. Power outages can affect the main server which can temporarily bring down UASOnline, preventing students from logging in to their classes, or from satellite and Elluminate classes.

For UAS updates and notices relating webmail and UASOnline, you can subscribe to the Helpdesk daily status reports which will send an update anytime there is a reported issue. You can also call the Helpdesk at 907-796-6400 for more information or any questions you may have.

• If you are taking a distance course from the UAS Juneau School of Management (accounting, business, CIOS), complete their Proctor Information Form
• If you are taking a distance course from UAS Sitka, complete the Sitka campus Proctor Form and return it to the Sitka campus.
• If you are taking a distance course from UAS Ketchikan, inform your instructor.
• If you are taking a distance course from UAF, use the following link and provide the necessary information:  UA Fairbanks Center for Distance Education
• If you are taking a distance course from UAA, use the UA Anchorage Student Information/Proctor Form

For additional testing services information, refer to one of the following UAS testing sites:

UAS Juneau

UAS Sitka

UAS Ketchikan

For classes that use Elluminate, you may be required to have a headset with microphone. This allows you to interact with the other students in the class as well as the instructor.

If you plan on taking numerous e-Learning courses, purchasing a quality headset would be a useful investment.

E-Learning courses match the on-campus versions very closely both in duration and in content. On-campus students spend 3 hours in class and 6-12 hours on the reading, studying and assignments per week for one 3 credit class.

Although some e-Learning students complete the course in fewer hours, many find they work more slowly studying on their own. Plan to spend 9 - 15 hours reading, studying and doing homework per week per 3 credit course.

Before the first week of class:

• Login to the class website
• Read the syllabus;
• Introduce yourself on the Discussion Board;
• Begin to review the course material

During the semester:

• Read the assigned reading (chapter, article etc) during the week it is assigned (or ahead of time);
• Complete practice problems/questions;
• Do the homework/quiz;
• Engage the faculty - ask questions through email, phone call, Discussion Board or Forum;
• Continue to review material.