Online Learning Policy

All didactic courses within the TSTC LVN to RN Program are delivered through an asynchronous online format. As such, students are fully responsible for accessing and understanding all instructional materials, announcements, and communications posted on the course Canvas site. Canvas serves as the primary platform for communication between the department and students.

Student Responsibilities:

1. Canvas Access:

• Students must log into Canvas a minimum of twice per week, or more frequently if specified by individual course instructions, to check for course updates, announcements, assignments, and other critical information.

• Time management may be the most important aspect of distance learning. Usually there are weekly time frames on both assignments and quizzes. It is up to the student to set aside time for viewing power-points, watching videos, developing written assignments, and responding to discussion board questions. You should include a regularly scheduled routine where you can devote the required amount of time to the lesson and the work without being disturbed. As you prepare your written assignments, be sure to save your work as well as backup all files onto another source such as a thumb drive. Use spelling and grammar check regularly in addition to practicing good proofreading skills. Also, be familiar with work processing application and setting prior to beginning a written assignment.

• Avoid procrastination. Technical difficulties could prevent completion of assignments at the last minute. Routinely logging into Canvas to check course announcements and course e-mails should keep you informed of any changes in course work.

2. Pre-Class Preparation:

   • Prior to attending any class, lab, or clinical session, students are responsible for reviewing the Canvas course site to ensure they are up to date on all relevant content and changes.

3. Email Communication:

   • All faculty-student email communication must be conducted through the student’s official TSTC email address as listed in Canvas.

   • Students are responsible for keeping this email address current and checking it regularly.

   • Faculty are expected to respond to student emails within 24 hours during weekdays.

   • Emails sent on Fridays may be answered by the following Monday.

   • Never type in ALL CAPS (this is perceived as shouting).  To emphasize, put the important word or phrase inside of *asterisks* instead.

   • Write succinctly, regardless of whether the medium is an e-mail, discussion board posting, or chat room.

   • As in life, be polite and courteous.

   • Emoticons can be used to convey tone of voice or add levity
     
     

Verification of Academic Attendance in Distance Education:

Logging into an online class alone does not qualify as proof of academic attendance. To be considered present and actively engaged, students must participate in academically related activities. Acceptable forms of participation include, but are not limited to:

• Submission of an academic assignment or examination

• Documented involvement in interactive tutorials or computer-assisted instruction

• Meaningful participation in institution-assigned online study groups

• Contributions to course-related discussion forums

• Email correspondence or other documentation showing the student initiated contact with faculty regarding course content
  
  

These measures are required to comply with institutional and federal guidelines for attendance in distance education environments.