“Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore.” – Dorothy Gale, The Wizard of Oz
(However, while I’m not in Kansas, I’m finding out that Missouri really is right next door. Confused? Don’t worry, I’ll explain.)
Before actual online courses begin, A.T. Still University wants to ensure that I know how to use the online campus web site, and can access all the different resources I’ll need as a student. So, as an ungraded but required activity before real courses begin, I just completed the online orientation activity.
Fortunately, this was a cakewalk. Most of the activity consisted of showing one can navigate the WebCT online campus system they use as well as their student online portal that leads to library and other academic and registration resources. I’d never seen WebCT, but I’ve been a system administrator for a number of similar systems, including Blackboard, eCollege, and Moodle, so figuring out WebCT wasn’t any harder than I expected it to be. There were a few differences, but nothing that was too far away from what I’ve already done.
In other words, I may not be in Kansas anymore, but that’s okay, since A.T. Still University is in Missouri, the state right next door. Get it? It’s not the same… but really close…
…okay, okay, enough of my lame joke. A good question would be whether I think that the online orientation would be difficult for someone who doesn’t have a strong background with computers. I came away from it thinking that someone who’s reasonably competent, say who has no problem surfing the web and checking email, would be all right with this. Someone who’s genuinely a little technophobic, however, might find this way of doing things a bit challenging.
The good news is that the university gives new students about two weeks to do all the orientation activities, and the instructor is responsive – when I asked a question he responded within a few hours. Given that, I’d recommend A.T. Still University’s system of online learning to all but the least enthusiastic of computer users.
Next time I’ll comment on one of the lightning rods of eLearning – admissions counselors.