Biggest Surprises
You don't have to be computer savvy to excel in an online course.
Required Tech Skills
Other than knowing how to turn on a computer and follow directions, you don't really need any high-tech skills. The student portal is pretty straightforward, providing students a direct link into the system. Plus, if you do have any questions or need help, assistance is available with just a click of a mouse.
Typical Online Course - Start to Finish
Courses run five weeks, with students required to participate in two discussion posts, a written assignment, plus one or two quizzes each week. The first discussion post has to be posted by Day 3 of a class week, and then the other discussion post and assignments are due by Day 7. Typically, an Ashford class starts out with around 30 students, but many drop out by the end of the course. Student interaction is great. Generally, students will chat with each other in online forums and discussions. The instructors are also helpful, especially since most of them have taken online classes themselves.
Online Testing & Grading
Tests are online, timed, and typically consist of multiple-choice or true-or-false questions. The student has 90 minutes to complete the test before it is shut off due to inactivity. If the student doesn't have time to complete the test, he may save his answers until he is ready to submit it, usually on the sixth day of the week. The final paper makes up about 25 percent of a student's final grade. The rest of the grade is based on discussion posts and other assignments.
Did You Know?
Online courses at Ashford University are a convenient way to work, have a family, and still have time to complete your studies. With online courses, there is only one five-week class to concentrate on until the five-week course ends. There is no worrying about other classes, except for the one class you are currently enrolled in.