Online courses at ODU are just as rigorous as face-to-face courses, and they can even require more technology preparation. You are expected to complete the same quality and amount of work as you would in an on-campus class, because they are both college courses. So make sure you don’t underestimate how much work your online course requires and adjust your time commitments when you enroll in it.
Cheating is not easier or more prevalent in online courses than in face-to-face courses. In fact, online instructors can prevent cheating by using plagiarism detectors (e.g., SafeAssign), webcams to verify your identity (e.g., ProctorU), software like the Respondus Lockdown Browser, or individualized assessments (e.g., e-portfolios, presentations). Instructors can also track students’ activity in Blackboard—they recognize the warning signs of when a study group is cheating, for example.
Remember: you are bound by the ODU Honor Code, all student policies, and their consequences!
Most instructors log into the course daily, checking for students’ questions, assignments, or problems, and they try to respond promptly. Students have commented that it feels like someone is "always there" online, unlike a traditional weekly class. Keep in touch with your instructor—it’ll help you stay engaged in the course. And you can meet with them by appointment when you need assistance. Check your course for online office hours.
Students enrolled in online courses can still access campus resources, , including the University Libraries, computer labs, and student support services (e.g., mentoring, advising). Many ODU departments also web conference with distance or commuter students by appointment, or you can phone them. You can also use services at ODUOnline’s partner locations. Keep this in mind, in case you ever need to use a computer lab.
Some online courses at ODU are self-paced; most are not! Our courses usually require active participation and deadlines on a regular basis, perhaps even daily. You’ll have the same assignments and projects that an on-campus class would—so that you receive the same quality of experiences and learning online. You can expect to watch lecture videos or use interactive online tools in your course, too.