Student Responsibilities Online Course - Walters State Community College

Student Responsibilities in Taking an Online Course

Obtain access to computers and the Internet.Students are responsible for finding consistent and reliable access both on and off campuses. Full internet access of speeds sufficient for streaming videos and uploading assignments is required. There are labs at all campuses where students can use computers with Internet access. Students can check out loaner laptops (free of charge) by contacting the library.
WSCC computer systems orientation.Check the eLEARN for Students Video Series to find how to log onto campus computers, access online services, activate your accounts, access MyWS, and access eLEARN. Contact the Walters State IT Help Desk for assistance.
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.
Read News Items Posted.Some instructors may use the course homepage by posting News Announcements. Please be sure to read all announcements and check the course homepage on eLEARN frequently.
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. Students may request assignment extensions; however, instructors are not required to extend deadlines.
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 prior to the assignment deadlines.
Purchase/ Gain access to 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 and have access to these materials within the first week of class as guided by the syllabus 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. Your instructor will inform you of preference for using eLEARN or Senators email accounts.
Email your instructor as soon as possible
- if you do not understand
- if you have a problem
- if you are sick or unable to accomplish the work of the course
- if you have any questions at all
Do not sit and wait. 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. For more information about eLEARN email, please see this video.

You should check and READ your email at least three times a week. If your instructor emails you weekly assignments, use it to guide you through the material. *Please note that it is easy to miss an important email. Please, be sure to watch the video above for eLEARN email guidance.
Email and mobile phone notifications.
Through eLEARN, 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 or review the syllabus to learn about how frequently he or she expects you to check into class as well as the participation requirements.
Academic Dishonesty is not acceptable.
Copying others’ work, plagiarism, cheating on tests, using AI (except as permitted by the instructor), 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 page 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.
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 by calling 423.585.6800 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 englishwritinglabFREEWS%20to make an appointment or just drop by Room 120 in the Judge William H. Inman Humanities Complex on the Morristown Campus. Online tutoring also is available.

Mathematics Lab - Free tutoring is available at the Mathematics Learning Lab. Student can email questions to beth.dixonFREEWS. Instructional videos are available. Click on your course to see the list of 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-peson, via email, or over the telephone. Students are encouraged to contact Research Coaches through contact information on the library homepage, via eLEARN classlist or via phone 423.585.6903.
Use the information below as needed.
A wide range of services are available to all students. Use the links and contact information below to find answers to your general questions about advising, student success, retention and other matters.