Student Responsibilities in Taking an Online Course
- Obtain access to computers and the Internet.
Students are responsible for finding access. Internet access faster than dial-up
is needed. There are labs at all campuses where students can locate computers with
Internet access.
- WSCC computer systems orientation.
Check the “Student Orientation webpage” (opens in a new window) to find how to log
onto campus computers, access online services, activate your accounts, and access
MyWS, Senators Mail, eLEARN, and the WSCC HelpDesk website.
- Orient yourself to the course.
Check to see if there is a module of Content called “Getting Started” or “Orientation”
or “Introduction to the Class.” A module in Content with these sorts of titles indicates
that the module will contain important information applicable to the course as a whole.
In an online course, this module may also contain assignments to complete as an orientation
to the course. Your instructor will also have a set of assignments to complete to
verify your attendance in the course for reporting of first day attendance. Please
let your instructor know if you do not know how to complete that set of assignments.
- Submit assignments in the file format requested.
Take note of file format requirements. Some instructors require PDF file formats for
certain assignments, others require Word files, while still others require PPT. If
you are not sure which assignment calls for which format, ask your instructor.
- Submit assignments by the due dates and deadlines given in your course.
Even though online classes do not meet face to face on designated days, there are
due dates and deadlines for assignments. Check dropbox, quizzes, syllabus, and discussion
boards to see if there are due dates, or check the Calendar tool, or check with your
instructor about due dates and deadlines for particular assignments.
- Read the syllabus.
The syllabus and related material like the addendum is your contract with your instructor.
Read the material carefully. Ask your instructor about anything on the syllabus or
addendum you do not understand.
- Purchase materials for the course.
Your instructor has chosen textbooks, web companion sites, software, and other materials
for your class that may be available in the bookstore. Details regarding these materials
as well as instructions on how to purchase them can be found in the course syllabus
and/or eLEARN. You are expected to purchase these materials within the first week
of class in order to be prepared and keep up with assignments (Note: many courtesy
access options for online materials end after the first two weeks of the course).
If for some reason you cannot obtain all materials within the first two weeks of the
course, it is your responsibility to contact the instructor immediately to notify
him or her of your inability to acquire the materials. You will not be excused from
assignments or given extensions due to your delay in acquiring materials.
- Email your instructor.
Communication in classrooms assists students and faculty in understanding the content,
processes, and procedures in the class. Communication is especially important in an
online course. Email your instructor if you do not understand. Email your instructor
if you have a problem. Email your instructor if you are sick or unable to accomplish
the work of the course. Email your instructor if you have any questions at all. Do
not sit and wait. Email as soon as possible. If you do not hear from your instructor
within a week, contact the division's Executive Aide. This information should be located
on the syllabus. If you go to “email” and then “settings,” you will be able to create
an electronic signature that will help you and your instructor communicate effectively.
You should check and READ your eLEARN email at least three times a week. If your instructor
emails you weekly assignments, use it to guide you through the material.
- Email and mobile phone notifications.
rom Notifications, you can have automatic notifications sent to an email account or
to your mobile phone. Items for notification include new News items posted, new grades
posted, updates to Content pages, due date reminders for Dropboxes and Quizzes, and
other information about the course.
- Attend class.
Students attend online class by clicking into class and completing assignments. If
you don’t click into class and complete assignments online, you are not attending
class. If you are not attending class, you are not learning. Check with your instructor
about how frequently he or she expects you to check into class.
- Academic Dishonesty is not acceptable.
Copying others’ work, plagiarism, cheating on tests, and having others do your work
are various forms of academic dishonesty. Walters State’s policy on academic dishonesty
prohibits these acts. Check the syllabus in your course for possible consequences
of violating this policy.
- Avoid “recycling” work from previous courses.
If you have projects, papers, and other written work from previous courses, do not
submit them again in your current course without prior approval from the current course
instructor. This is considered a form of plagiarism.
- Schedule any proctoring service well in advance.
Some online courses include the requirement of proctored examinations. Check the syllabus
for your course. Be sure to create needed accounts, contact proctors as needed, and
create appointments for the exams far in advance. Visit the Counseling and Testing
Center website (opens in a new window) for additional information.
- Follow the rules of Netiquette.
“Netiquette” is a word created from “etiquette” and “net”—where etiquette meets the
Internet. While you are working online, it is important to note that email, discussion
boards, web pages on the Internet, and other forms of communication via the computer
seem (but only seem) private. Although the Internet seems closed and private, it is
actually a very public place.
Please be aware you should always consider your work in your online course a public
matter. Write your emails to your professor in such a way that you would not mind
if his or her department chair read them. Write emails to other students in such a
way that you would not mind if your professor or other members of the class read them.
In emails and discussion board postings, know that human beings will react as much
to how you say your message as they will to what you say in the message. Your readers
are human beings with human strengths, failings, flaws, biases, and feelings. As you
write emails or post to discussion boards, think: how would I say this if I were speaking
aloud in a regular, brick-and-mortar classroom; how would other people react to how
I say this idea?
Always be polite, considerate, and mindful of your readers as you work inside your
online course.
Be respectful of others' reactions, opinions, and interpretations. If you disagree
with others, you are welcome to say so. But you should talk about the ideas, not about
the people who have them. Saying "I don't think the article says students of Asian
descent are better students" is much better than saying "I think you are an idiot
for thinking the article says students of Asian descent are better students."
- Student Conduct.
All students, regardless of the type of course you are taking, are required to follow
the Walters State Student Code of Conduct. This can be found in the Catalog and Student
Handbook (opens in a new window).
- Contact the department of Student Support Services as needed.
If you need an accommodation to your learning (extra time on tests) please contact
the department of Student Support Services. The department of Student Support Services
includes advisement, counseling and special assistance in all school related matters.
The department offers a wide variety of services. The department utilizes resources
of both campus and community agencies to meet the needs of students with disabilities
and support them in meeting their educational goals. Please call 423.585.6860 to schedule
an appointment with the Coordinator of Disability Services.
- Academic support.
The college offers all students the support of the following services.
Student Tutoring – The office of Student Tutoring provides support services to help
students make the most of their abilities. Seek assistance from Tutoring Services
as soon as you experience any academic difficulty in any course. This increases your
chances of succeeding in college. Tutoring services are available in most subjects
and are free to students at all campuses.
Offices include:
**Morristown Campus, Student Services Building lower level, Room L108
**Niswonger Campus, Bldg. 2, Room 226
**Sevier County Campus, Maples-Marshall Hall (MMH), Room 210
**Claiborne County Campus, Room 123A
Online tutoring is also available. Contact Fran O'Connor for more information by
calling 423.585.6770 or by email at tutoringFREEWS.
Writing Lab – This free lab serves all Walters State students to improve their writing
abilities and become more independent learners. The lab provides one-on-one tutorial
services to students who are involved in any writing-related activity, including documentation
of research. Call 423.585.6970 or email englishwritinglab@ws.edu to make an appointment,
or just drop by Room 120 in the Judge William H. Inman Humanities Complex on the Morristown
Campus. Online tutoring (opens in a new window) also is available.
Mathematics Lab – Free tutoring is available at the Mathematics Learning Lab (opens
in a new window). Students can email questions to beth.dixon@ws.edu. Instructional
Videos (opens in a new window) are available. Click on your course to see the list
of videos. Videos are also available on YouTube (opens in a new window) – search Beth
Dixon and Statistics to see a list of MATH 1530 videos.
Research Coaches – Research Coaches or librarians are available to help students with
completing the research needed for any class. This includes finding sources for assignments,
evaluating information, or citing sources correctly. Research coaches are available
to assist students in-person, via email, or over the telephone. Students are encouraged
to contact Research Coaches through contact information on the library homepage (opens
in a new window) under Make an Appointment with a Research Coach or to call the Reference
Desk at 423.585.6946.
- Use the tables below as needed.
A wide range of services are available to all students. Use the tables below to find
answers to your general questions about advising, student success, retention, and
other important matters.
Retention Services
Academic difficulty, not sure where to get help, feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Retention Services Contact Information
| Contact |
Campus Location |
Room Number |
Phone |
Email |
| Connie Earls |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses
|
SSB, U111 |
423.585.6938 |
connie.earlsFREEWS |
| Brandy Lester |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
SSB, U114 |
423.585.6925 |
brandy%20lesterFREEWS |
Counseling & Testing
Career and personal counseling
Counseling & Testing Contact Information
Student Tutoring
Free student tutoring services
Student Tutoring Contact Information
ESL
Students whose first language is not English
ESL Contact Information
| Contact |
Campus Location |
Room Number |
Phone |
Email |
| Michelle Mitrik |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
CCEN, 207E |
423.585.6930 |
michelle.mitrikFREEWS |
Student Support Services
Support service for disability-related issues, academic accommodations
Student Support Services Contact Information
| Contact |
Campus Location |
Room Number |
Phone |
Email |
| Amy Jackson |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
SSB, U136 |
423.585.6860 |
amy.jacksonFREEWS |
| Helen Cox |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
SSB, U130 |
423.585.6893 |
helen.coxFREEWS |
Student Success Center
Major change or selection, class selection, transfer to another institution
Student Success Center Contact Information
| Contact |
Campus Location |
Room Number |
Phone |
Email |
| Karen Lawson |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
CCEN, 222D |
423.318.6176 |
karen.lawsonFREEWS |
| Frank Umbarger |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
CCEN, 222A |
423.585.3849 |
frank.umbargerFREEWS |
| Erin Dean |
Morristown
Serves students on all campuses |
CCEN, 222H |
423.585.2654 |
erin.deanFREEWS |