Example of online course expectations: Course Expectations

Why are clear student expectations important?

1. new enivironment - In many cases participating in an online course is a new environment and new experience for students.  While most students have a good feel for what the expectations are in a traditional classroom setting, they probably don't have a good idea for what is expected in this new environment.
2. student appreciation - Students appreciate when course expectations and requirements are clear and given to them at the beginning of the course
3. active learning - Distance education courses rely heavily on the principle of "active learning."  Students learn in their courses through active participation in class discussions and forums
4. discussion classroom - In web-based distance learning environments the online discussion creates "the classroom."  This is where students and instructors share ideas as they might if they were in a traditional classroom setting.  Instead of participating by physically showing up to class, students participate by actively contributing to the online discussions.

Example of Course Expectations:

L630: Teaching Languages for Specific Purposes 

• participation requirements