And more importantly, are the services provided to me as an online student any good? Participating CALL campuses across the state have placed an emphasis on student services for online students. New strategies and structures are in place for providing the necessary services, from online libraries to textbook services, to special arrangements for exams. For example, online students can register and pay bills online, as well as access other services such as online tutoring. Interestingly, these same services are now demanded by on-campus students. Like you, they like the ability to pay a bill online at 2:00 in the morning, to drop/add a course online or to search an online library collection to complete a paper (which they submit to their faculty member online).

There are really two questions here. The first is an unequivocal yes �" the courses you enroll in through CALL are real courses offering real credits from fully accredited colleges and universities. As to whether these real credits will transfer depends on several factors, including the college or university you are attempting to transfer the credits to (they ultimately decide on whether credits will transfer) and your degree program. Often it depends on whether the course you have taken is one needed at the other institution, etc.

If by tricks, you mean strategies for learning, there are some. If you mean shortcuts, that's a different story. (We don't have any of those, and wouldn't tell you if we did!) Seriously, you need to develop a strong plan for learning, develop a comfortable regimen for when you will get online, when you will read, etc. and be committed to that plan. Engage your instructor and fellow students �" don't be shy or passive. Indeed many online learners have suggested they feel emboldened in online courses because they have no fear of asking a silly question or offering a poor response.

Yes, you can . . . . in fact, over 550 adults already have earned a degree through CALL. A growing number of students at colleges and universities across the state are taking advantage of 100% online courses and degree programs! Other students are combining online courses with traditional "face-to-face" courses in what is called a "blended" or “hybrid” format. Typically how you attend is dictated by the distance from the campus and your particular desires. You should take a course in the best format to suit your learning style.

Indeed, you can and will probably show those youngsters the way to learn. Once you get over the fear of engaging in learning with the "kids" you will be just fine. You bring experiences to the classroom, in this case a virtual classroom, just like you do in a traditional classroom. Your experiences will benefit fellow learners in the course. Moreover, CALL degree programs have been designed with the adult, online learner in mind and with special emphasis on student engagement in the course.

They may be, in particular, if you do not have the right equipment or equipment configuration. See Below for suggested basic computer requirements. For most courses you will not need to have excellent computing skills as long as you are a person who casually uses a computer. Since much of your input will be by keyboard (for online courses), some keyboarding skills are helpful. But typically you will not have to be an expert in software packages to participate and to be effective. For some courses, your computer and modem won't be a problem, although it will be a bit slow. In other courses, speed counts and a higher speed modem and faster processor in your computer will save you lots of time. You should check with your college or university about the program or course requirements to learn what the "tech specs" are for your degree program. Click here to test your computer’s readiness for online classes. Basic Computer Requirements Checklist: ·Is your computer up-to-date with an operating system no more than three years old (i.e., Microsoft Windows XP, Microsoft Vista, Windows 7 or Apple OS)? ·Is your computer equipped with current word processing and multimedia presentation software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access 2007)? ·Is your computer reliable, meaning that it does not "lock up" or "freeze" frequently? ·Is your computer running a current virus protection program? ·Do you have technical support if you have a computer problem? Reliable hardware and software is imperative for successful participation in an online course. If you answered "no" to any of the preceding questions, you may want to consider registering for a traditional face-to-face course. Unreliable hardware and software can be detrimental to your success in an online course.

Yes, it is �" you are taking real courses from regular faculty members and the rigor (requirements, grading, and work) will be similar to on-campus courses. Some students make the incorrect assumption that online courses are easy, don't require much work, and you don't have to plan or organize very much. If you approach the courses in that way, you will find them quite tough.

Learn more about the fast-track, online degree programs available at Louisiana public college and university campuses across the state on our website. You are right where you need to be. Simply contact us for more information on online learning courses and programs. Finally, consider applying now for one of the CALL degree programs. Good Luck.

That's an oft-asked question. It is for most individuals, but not necessarily for everyone. To determine if online learning is right for you, visit the helpful student online readiness tool (SORT)on our website to find out if you are ready to be an online student. If you give honest responses, this tool will give you honest feedback about your level of being prepared to learn online. If you have completed the Student Online Readiness Tool and want more information, then you can discover MORE answers to your questions, and many others, in the next section regarding the myths and realities about adult learners and online learning.

The CALL program offers degrees for the working adult’s schedule. These programs are offered almost exclusively online in a format conducive for accelerated learning. Since you can expect the same amount of work as in a regular 16-week course, it is important to only take one or two accelerated courses at a time. CALL accelerated courses have been redesigned to pace adult learners and help them focus on daily and weekly tasks. Each accelerated course is engineered for you to successfully achieve the stated learning outcomes. An accelerated 4-week or 8-week course progresses quickly, thus, logging in on the first day, printing the course syllabus and calendar, and mapping your plan to complete each assignment is critical to starting well. After the first day and throughout each accelerated course, it is critical to log in multiple times daily and communicate with your teacher. A recent graduate shared that his secret was to block out time each day, as if he were attending a face-to-face class, and dedicate that time to completing his assignments and getting ahead. As one accelerated student stated, “The CALL program is an exciting, fast paced journey to a successful future. It definitely requires dedication and self discipline, but the end reward is worth the work!" Another graduate from an accelerated online program explained, "Honestly, I did not know what to expect in the beginning and questioned if I would be able to even complete the course. Although the work load in a fast-track class is intense, it is doable!”

Are you concerned about missing out on the "give and take" in a classroom setting? This is a good question without a single answer. First, many online learners indicate that they have more interaction in online courses than they have previously had in traditional courses. They indicate that teachers actually respond to their questions and they have constant dialogue with the faculty and other students in the course. Your faculty member, or course format, has lots to do with the interaction. If he/she engages, encourages, or even demands your input, there will be lots of interaction. If he/she does not, you can sit in the "back" of the classroom just like many other students have in large lecture halls and take notes. But you should expect to have lots of interaction in your online course.

You will probably do a bit of both. Online instructors require their students to use some textbooks and traditional materials in hard copy and also have information and assignments available to you via the Web. More and more media such as video clips are being incorporated. One option is to print text on the screen to your printer. The texts and tools you will use in an online course are essentially the same as a regular course only the delivery method is different.