Are You Ready for Online Learning?

Skills to succeed as an online student at JCC

Online courses offer students the flexibility to take classes without coming to campus. Successful online students tend to have excellent time management skills and an ability to work independently.

Time commitment

Students need to plan for 3-4 hours of work per week per credit hour. For one 3-credit course, you should set aside 9-12 hours per week for a fall or spring semester course (even more for a summer course). You should also plan to interact in a course several times during the week.

Computer skills

Students need to have a basic comfort level around computers and navigating the learning environment. Here are a few important considerations:

Reliable Device & Internet

Reliable access to a laptop or desktop computer: While courses may be mobile-friendly, you should not expect to complete an online course entirely from a mobile device.

Strong, reliable internet connection: You should have a have a back-up plan (e.g, public library or café with wifi) to access the internet should home internet be unreliable.

Depending on the course, there may be additional hardware or software requirements: For example, online synchronous classes will require a built-in or external camera and microphone for joining virtual class sessions. Check the course description and course syllabus, and ask your instructor if you have any questions.

General Computer Skills

Online students should be able to:

  • Install and update software
  • Download, save, and retrieve files
  • Take a picture of handwritten work and save it as a PDF
  • Send and receive email with the school email account
Online Class Navigation Skills

Once you enroll in classes at JCC, you will receive access to an Intro to Brightspace for Students course where you will learn how to navigate Brightspace, our online course platform. Online students should be able to:

  • Download course documents, such as a syllabus
  • View recorded presentations
  • Post responses and reply to other classmates' discussion posts
  • Upload assignment submissions
  • Take a quiz and view quiz results
  • View grades and find instructor feedback to keep up with progress
Video Skills

Online students should be able to:

  • Participate in a virtual meeting
  • Record a video using web conferencing tools or personal device
  • Upload a video to Brightspace
Web Literacy

Online students should be able to:

  • Conduct an effective search with a search engine (e.g. Google, Bing, Yahoo) using search commands
  • Evaluate web resources for authority, currency, purpose, and content
  • Understand copyrights, licenses, and plagiarism in a digital environment

Student success skills

While online courses have strong instructor presence and a wealth of JCC resources available for student support, it is up to the student to have the drive to log into the course, work through the course materials and interact in class activities, complete coursework on time, and reach out for help when needed. Online courses offer a great deal of flexibility, but that can sometimes come at a cost. It is important that you have a solid structure in place for student success.

Successful online students:

  • Put in the time. Students need to put in 9-12 hours of work time for each 3-credit hour online course.
  • Create a calendar of due dates and map out study time.
  • Have a designated, clutter-free, and quiet area to work.
  • Monitor their progress and make adjustments as needed.
  • Organize their course files.
  • Problem-solve technical issues.
  • Know where they can get help and seek help early and often.
  • Connect with classmates and instructors.