Learn online

Taking an online course provides students with flexibility by replacing face-to-face traditional classes with engaging online instructional activities. Online courses require that you work on your own at a computer and do a lot of reading. In order to be successful in an online course, you must:

• Successfully complete the Moodle Online Orientation course prior to the class start date
• Download and install all necessary software and be willing to watch tutorials if you need help with the software
• Seek help from your instructor when needed
• Regularly log in to the online course and follow the course calendar located in this syllabus
• Fully engage in the online learning activities including podcasts, homework, discussion forums, and projects
• Ensure that you have a quiet learning space for completing your online work

If you still are unsure if an online class is right for you, download and complete a self-inventory.

If you have a good, stable internet connection, you should be fine.  If you are visiting a foreign country, you might have problems with blocks placed by that country.  If that is an issue for you, contact out IT department for a resolution.

An online course will require students to download and upload documents, participate in online forums, and discussions and take online quizzes and tests. Students should be comfortable using a computer, navigating the Internet and sending/receiving email.

You must have access to a computer (not a tablet) with:

• Broadband Internet connection. Examples of broadband Internet connection are high-speed DSL or cable modem. You must have a back-up plan (a local library or fast-food restaurant, for example) in case your Internet goes out. Lack of wi-fi is not an acceptable excuse for missing a deadline.
• Chrome or Edge for Windows and Apple computers
• Respondus Lockdown Browser – free download available one you have obtained YHC Moodle access
• YHC e-mail
• A webcam with microphone for quiz/exam proctoring
• The latest version of Adobe Reader
• A current word processing software
• Other software as dictated by course requirements in the course syllabus

Students are provided with a downloadable copy of Microsoft 365. Once you have obtained a YHC username and password, use these instructions to download the software.

Final exams are held in the last week of the semester. They can be taken from anywhere with a good Internet connection. The exams have a window of time to be taken and you can choose when to take the exam in that window of time. Once you begin, you only have 150 minutes to complete the exam. You must use a computer with a webcam/mic and a Chrome browser.

NOTE: If you will be out of the United States, your country might block some internet access.  Please contact the YHC IT department to find a solution.

To ensure the security and integrity of the exam process, a proctored experience is required for successful completion of a YHC online course. A proctored exam is one in which the student is monitored while taking the exam. All YHC Online Courses have proctored final exams. Some may have additional proctored tests within the course.

Environment requirements for testing

• A quiet, secure, fully lighted room for the examination
• No other people in the room
• The student’s face must be clearly visible at all times.
• No baseball caps
• Sit at a clean desk or clean table (not in a bed or sofa)
• No talking out loud or communicating with others by any means (with the exception of contact with the faculty member in an emergency)
• No leaving the room
• Nothing except computer and external cameras on the desktop or tabletop. This includes the removal of all books, papers, notebooks, and other materials, unless specifically permitted in written guidelines for a particular examination.
• Students are not allowed to use the following unless otherwise noted by instructor/exam giver: Excel; Word; PowerPoint; Calculator (online/computer or handheld devices; Textbooks (online/computer or hardcopy books); Notes (online/computer or hardcopy notes); Pen and Paper (for the purpose of taking notes during exam or calculations); Other websites.
• External cameras, when possible, should be placed on the lid of the laptop or where it will have a constant, uninterrupted view of the test taker
• No writing visible on desk or on walls
• No music playing
• No other computers or other digital devices running in the exam room
• No headphones or ear buds allowed
• Webcam must be focused on the individual test taker
• Lighting must be good quality

Young Harris College Online LockDown Browser + Webcam Requirement
Young Harris College online courses require the use of LockDown Browser and a webcam for online exams. The webcam can be the type that’s built into your computer or one that plugs in with a USB cable.

Watch this brief video to get a basic understanding of LockDown Browser and the webcam feature.

https://www.respondus.com/products/lockdown-browser/student-movie.shtml

Downloading the LockDown Browser

• Select the quiz in the course
• You will see the message “This quiz has been configured so that students may only attempt it using the Respondus LockDown Browser.”
• Below this will appear a “Download LockDown Browser” link. Click the button to go to the download page and then follow the instructions. (Note: if you are using a school-issued Chromebook, you may not have permissions to download and will have to ask your school IT person to help you)
• Download Respondus LockDown Browser to your computer; follow the installation instructions
• Return to the Quiz page in Moodle (it may still be open in another tab)
• Select “Launch LockDown Browser”
• The quiz will now start

Note: LockDown Browser only needs to be installed once to a computer or device. It will start automatically from that point forward when a quiz requires it.

Guidelines
When taking an online exam, follow these guidelines:

• Select a location where you are comfortable having a video recording taken of yourself and your workspace environment. This area should be free of distractions and interruptions.
• Turn off all other devices (e.g. tablets, phones, second computers) and place them outside of your reach
• Before starting the test, know how much time is available for it, and also that you’ve allotted sufficient time to complete it
• Clear your desk or workspace of all external materials not permitted – books, papers, other devices
• Remain at your computer for the duration of the test
• If the computer, Wi-Fi, or location is different than what was used previously with the “Webcam Check” and “System & Network Check” in LockDown Browser, run the checks again prior to the exam
• To produce a good webcam video, do the following:
  • Avoid wearing baseball caps or hats with brims and make sure your entire face is visible during the entire quiz
  • Ensure your computer or device is on a firm surface (a desk or table). Do NOT have the computer on your lap, a bed, or other surface where the device (or you) are likely to move
  • If using a built-in webcam, avoid readjusting the tilt of the screen after the webcam setup is complete
  • Take the exam in a well-lit room, but avoid backlighting (such as sitting with your back to a window)
• Remember that LockDown Browser will prevent you from accessing other websites or applications; you will be unable to exit the test until all questions are completed and submitted

Getting Help
Several resources are available if you encounter problems with LockDown Browser:

• The Windows and Mac versions of LockDown Browser have a “Help Center” button located on the toolbar. Use the “System & Network Check” to troubleshoot issues. If an exam requires you to use a webcam, also run the “Webcam Check” from this area
• 24/7/365 Live Chat Support is also available from the Help Center, or from within the “it’s not working” troubleshooter.
• You can contact the Young Harris IT office by calling 706-379-5212 during business hours or by emailing [email protected].
• Respondus has a Knowledge Base available from support.respondus.com. Select “LockDown Browser & Respondus Monitor” as the product to view helpful articles.
• If you’re still unable to resolve a technical issue with LockDown Browser, go to support.respondus.com and select “Submit a Ticket”. Provide detailed information about your problem and what steps you took to resolve it

Although online courses take a lot of time and work, the time and work can be done on your schedule. If a student has work or family commitments, an online course might be a good fit.

Note: Real-time online courses do require you to log on during certain hours. Currently this only applies to the courses for the Master of Arts in Teaching. All other online courses can be done on your schedule.

YHC uses Moodle as its main tool for online courses and students will be required to pass a short orientation which will familiarize the student with the activities within Moodle. Within each YHC online course, the faculty member will be the guide to help the student navigate the course.

Once registered in your online course, you will receive information about your course materials and how to access the Moodle orientation. Students should complete Moodle orientation before the course start date. Students can email the instructor to ask about specific requirements.  Moodle can be accessed here.