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.

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 with the Proctorio extension installed
• 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
• 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 has partnered with Proctorio to provide proctored exams in all YHC online courses. Proctorio is a cloud based system that integrates with the Moodle LMS (Learning Management System). Proctorio authenticates the identity of the test taker and captures the entire exam session which is later reviewed by the instructor.

Students will need a computer with a webcam and microphone (internal or USB), their student ID, the Google Chrome browser, and the Proctorio extension for exams. Proctorio is NOT compatible with tablets such as the Kindle Fire or iPad. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure these requirements are met.

If you have technical problems with proctoring, check to make sure that you are using the Chrome browser and have the Proctorio extension installed. If you continue to experience technical issues, Proctorio offers 24/7 technical support to students at  866-948-2039.  This number should work 24/7 but you may have to leave a message and receive a call back.  More information can be found at Proctorio’s Student Help page.

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.