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Online Classes FAQ

Online courses are completed entirely online through the internet without meeting in a traditional, face-to-face classroom. They are self-paced to an extent, but do have due dates throughout the term (they are not correspondence courses). A course offered online has the same educational objectives as a course taught in a traditional classroom: to help you acquire the knowledge, skills, and abilities appropriate to a specific course and body of knowledge.

DMACC uses the Canvas learning management system to deliver online courses. DMACC Tech Support and Distance Learning only support Canvas and my.dmacc software. If your instructor uses a publisher's site, you will need to contact your instructor if you have questions or difficulties (or contact the publisher's support). You will get access to your online course one day before the course begins. Buy or order your textbook ahead of time. Log in the day before or the day the course begins.

Face-to-Face, Web-Enhanced Course (WEB9E):

  • Face-to-Face class at DMACC Campus or Center
  • Canvas will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

[Classroom time is not lessened because of the online component.]

Online Course (WEB9D):

  • Taught completely online with no specific meeting times
  • Lectures, learning materials, assignments, tests are delivered using Canvas
  • No Face-to-Face component; Students will not come to a DMACC Campus or Center
  • Canvas will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

Web-Blended (Face-to-Face & Online) (WEB9B):

  • Partial Face-to-Face at DMACC Campus or Center
  • Partial Online Learning
  • Canvas will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

[The course format has at least one of the course credits (15 hours) online and at least one credit (15 hours) in the classroom. The time spent face-to-face is lessened because of the online component of the course.]

Web-Blended (Virtual & Online) (WEB9H):

  • Partial Virtual Classroom with specific meeting times via Kaltura Classroom (possibly face-to-face meetings as well, depending on circumstances)
  • Partial Online Learning
  • Canvas will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

Real-time Virtual (WEB9V):

  • Virtual Classroom with specific meeting times via Kaltura Classroom (possibly face-to-face meetings as well, depending on circumstances)
  • Canvas will be used for sharing course syllabus, course materials, and the gradebook

As a student taking an online course, you should know how to:

  1. Assess your own technical abilities
  2. Obtain regular access to a computer and the Internet, and have a backup plan
  3. Perform basic computer and Internet browsing functions
  4. Communicate efficiently and effectively in writing, text, chat, voice and voicemail
  5. Manage time to complete tasks and meet deadlines
  6. Direct your own learning
  7. Work independently

 

As an online student it is your responsibility to do the following:

  • Access your course on a regular basis — preferably two or three times per week.
  • Read the syllabus, determine due dates and exam dates, and put them on your calendar (check the course calendar in Canvas).
  • Make sure you are comfortable navigating the course and using the tools. See the Student Training and Resources course in your Canvas "Courses" list for guides and practice, or watch the training videos.
  • Manage time to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Use appropriate online communications etiquette and follow the instructor's guidelines for discussions and email.
  • Develop and use an alternate plan if your primary point of access to the online course fails. In other words, what will you do if your computer crashes or your internet goes out? It is your responsibility to keep up with your coursework even under unforeseen circumstances.
  • If life intervenes, make sure you contact your instructor immediately to make arrangements (i.e., to work ahead or submit assignments late).

For instructions on accessing your online course and using Canvas, please visit the Course Login page. 

You will have access to your course one day before the scheduled start date.

Online courses are NOT self-paced. Check the DMACC course schedule to see when your course begins. You will have access to the course one day before the scheduled start date.

The majority of DMACC's online courses are 15-weeks in the fall and spring terms and 10-weeks for the summer term. Check the DMACC course schedule for your course(s).

Online courses are not correspondence courses. There will be regular due dates for graded activities.

DMACC's policy states that an online student cannot be required to come to campus for any online courses. However, an instructor can require you to have a proctor for tests. DMACC has testing centers that can be used for these proctored tests or if you are too far away from one of our campuses, you are welcome to find your own proctor and have them fill out the paperwork required by the instructor. Web blended courses will have a face-to-face component along with the online component.

Yes, all DMACC online courses must meet the same competencies as their face-to-face (F2F) counterparts and the rigor must be sufficient so that the required learning does take place. However, how you do activities in your online courses will differ from how you might do activities in a F2F class. All online courses will transfer in the same way as their F2F counterparts. In your transcript, they will not be identified as online courses.

If you need help choosing classes, the order in which to take classes, determining how classes transfer, or anything else related, please see the Advising Website.

Contact your instructor first. Additional support options:

  • DMACC Online Tutoring (DOT)
  • DMACC Tutoring Though Email (DTE)​
  • Click the "Help" button in the global navigation menu in Canvas and choose "DMACC Student Resources and Support" for quick links to tutoring, counseling, advising, and more.

On-campus faculty support in our Academic Achievement Centers (AACs) and peer tutoring ​may also be available. See the Academic Achievement Center so you can learn more about the services offered at your nearest location.