Expectations for Online Study

Suggested practices for both students and professors are found below, outlining NNU's ideal expectations for effective online learning:

Student Expectations

• Students are expected to log on and respond to posts five out of seven days each week. This attendance requirement is critical for group participation and learning as colleagues in community.
• Students should spend the same amount of time on an online course as they do for an on-campus course.
• Students are expected to complete all assignments on the due dates provided by professor, no later than 12:00 midnight (Mountain Time).
• NNU's online environment encourages collaborative and community learning. Competition is discouraged since all students are expected to be working toward the same goals in a learning community.
• Students are expected to submit strong academic work that reflects graduate level education. Discussion Group posts should be well-formed with accurate grammar and spelling.
• Since the online class is only six or eight weeks long, each one is considered an intensive course. As a result, it is critical that students not fall behind in the learning process. If extraordinary circumstances arise, exceptions can be made for the student to make up work, but only if arranged in advance with the professor.
• Students can expect approximately 20-25 hours of course work per week.
• Students are to use accurate, respectful language in all writing assignments.  

Faculty Expectations

• Faculty members are expected to log in to Blackboard to check posts daily. It is recommended that professors do this more than once each day, although Sundays can be set aside as “non-working” days. It is crucial that online faculty members maintain their presence online throughout each course.
• Professors are expected to respond to student questions within a 24-hour period. While there may be times when professors need to be away for a day, it is essential that online faculty members communicate this to all students, since they are expected to reciprocate and will expect timely responses from their professors.
• Online courses should accomplish the same learning outcomes as on-campus courses.
• Course assignments should be supported by web-based assignments and information available via the Internet.
• Course assignments should include the use of the NNU's online library resources.
• Assignments need to be graded in a timely manner, typically within a week of their due dates. Since the online class is intensive, timely feedback on assignments is imperative.
• The role of online faculty members is to be a facilitator of learning, not someone who only provides transmissive education.
• Faculty members need to demonstrate flexibility, openness, diversity, concern, and sincerity in all online interactions. It is very important that professors create an ecology of learning that is supportive and respectful of each student.