Welcome to the world of online learning! Progress through each of the tabs below for information and suggestions that will set you up for success.

Whether you are embarking on an entire program, or taking a single course, we are here to help you thrive.

Student Learning Outcomes

Upon completing this orientation, you will:

Connect with faculty, student supports, and peers to establish a sense of belonging with Lethbridge College.
Identify the academic supports and student services that you can access to help overcome potential challenges in an online learning environment.
Describe and apply best practices for online learning, including time management, communication, organizational and study skills.
Demonstrate basic technological skills required including Lethbridge College email, Canvas Navigation, MyHorizon, and Office 365 for online learning.

So let's get started. Although you may access any section of this orientation at any time, we would encourage you to work through this Introduction to Online Learning section before progressing to the other sections. Read the information carefully, and complete any necessary actions as you go.

Online learners at Lethbridge College come from a wide range of locations and backgrounds, but generally have the following characteristics in common. Our online learners:

need or want flexibility in their learning to accommodate other areas of their life
are self-directed, disciplined, goal-oriented and organized in their school work
manage their time carefully, taking into account their personal, work, and academic obligations
realize that an online course can be just as challenging and just as much of a commitment as a face-to face class
like to think critically, explore solutions to problems independently, and have a love for learning

Does this sound like you? If so, take the following quiz to assess the skills you will want to focus on developing as you prepare to begin this experience as an online learner.

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Want to hear from someone who has completed an online program?

Watch the video below as Early Childhood Education diploma graduate, Faza Ariaee, shares advice on connecting with instructors, time management, and navigating Canvas, the learning management system used to deliver our online courses.

Faza provided this video while he was still a student, he currently works as the program director at Kids@Play Daycare and OSC in Stony Plain, Alberta.

Lethbridge College Video

Both students and instructors have roles to play in developing an effective online learning environment. The roles outlined below are also available in the course materials for all online courses at Lethbridge College.

Roles of Online Instructors and Students
Your online instructor will:

Provide you with their contact information and applicable online office hours.
Provide information early in the course regarding exams and assignments,
Respond to your emails and questions in a timely fashion.
Provide feedback on assignments and exams.
Provide information early in the course about any synchronous aspects of the course where students may need to be online at a given time.
Monitor online discussions in the course, acknowledging student contributions and answering questions.

As an online student, you should:

Be actively involved in your own learning. You are responsible for knowing when assignments are due and for handing them in on time.
Expect your online courses to be comparable with face-to-face courses in terms of time-commitment. As with a face-to-face course, the time spent on the course will vary due to personal learning requirements.
Make arrangements with Testing Services and a proctor in your area to write any invigilated exams
Check your Lethbridge College email and Canvas Inbox frequently. If you prefer to use another email address, forward your Lethbridge College email there.
Use the Discussion Café as a resource for finding answers or clarifying difficult points in the course. Your classmates often have the answers you seek.
Notify your instructor immediately with any concerns or issues you may have; don’t leave it until too late.
Attend web conferences or any synchronous events in the course that require you to be online at a certain time. If you can’t do this, notify your instructor beforehand and arrange to make up for it in another way.

As an online student, you also have both rights and responsibilities related to conduct. Take a moment to review the Lethbridge College Student Rights and Code of Conduct Policy.

You've completed Section 1: Introduction to Online Learning!

Use the Home button below to return to the main page and then begin the next module: Preparing to Learn.