Advice to students new to online learning

Corey Vigdor, Associate Dean of the School of Online Learning,
College of Natural and Applied Sciences, Kean University

Q1.How many online courses does WKU offer now?

A：We currently offer 130 different courses for WKU, with a total of nearly 500 lessons.They included courses in Architecture, English, Biology, Management, Finance, Math, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science，etc. Basically everything that was planned to be offered face to face is now offered online.

Q2.How long does an online course often last?

A：These courses will run for 13 weeks and take us from February 24th to the end of the semester. These weeks will have 16 units worth of material to make up for the time missing from not starting the semester on time.This way we have ensured that all of the necessary content will be covered.Kean online courses are usually 8-16 weeks long.

Q3.How is the content of online courses set up?

A：We go through a very rigorous process in how we develop online courses.We tie every activity to course objectives and measure all we do based on rubrics and time units.We use a special tool that we have developed which we call the “course map” that has been employed in all developments. All contents were then installed into our Learning Management System by our instructional designers.As we build the courses we make sure they are up to the highest standards in course design.This is the same for courses built in this initiative as well as those we have built in the past.

Q4.How does Kean University online courses develop?

A：I have over thirty years of higher education experience with most of the time spent in online learning.In the late 90s I was asked if I wanted to be part of online learning at a university and I said yes.To be honest I really didn’t understand what I was getting into but it sounded exciting.That was the best decision I ever made.Since then I have developed lots of programs,courses and have taught over 100,000 online students.I really love it and believe in it.I have taken the very best of what I have seen out there and brought it to Kean University.I started at Kean six years ago and since then have built a growing program that serves thousands of students each year from all around the world.Believe it or not but through our work these past few weeks the students at WKU have so much more of a variety.I am excited to take the terrific work done by the faculty at WKU and introduce it to the students of Kean USA in the future.

Q5.Do you have any suggestions and warm reminders for Wenzhou-Kean University’s students to learn the online courses?

A：During our Orientation I provided a recording of myself where I shared some advice to students.I was so impressed with the fact that just about every student 99% watched my message. Anyway,the advice I would give to any students new to online learning is as follows:1) Manage your time well.There is a lot to do.Each unit was built with 9-12 hours worth of work to do each unit.If you are taking five courses that is 45-60 hours.Work cannot be left to the last minute.You have to be on it every day.No procrastinating.2) Post early and often in the discussion boards.This is where you get to meet your classmates,faculty and share your thoughts and experiences. Students who get in there early and throughout the week tend to do better than those who do not.3) Read everything.Each course has lots of details and you don’t want to miss anything.4) Rely on your faculty member.They will be with you every step of the way.If you need assistance,ask for it.Don’t be shy.5) Have fun.This is a different way of learning and one that you might not be used to but if you go into it with the notion of having fun it will open your world and your will learn much more about the material and yourself then you ever expected.

Best of luck to all faculty and students and I hope to have their feedback at the end of the semester.