Online Learning Resources

From the technical point-of-view, it is recommended to have regular access to a computer, dependable Internet connection, word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software, while taking online courses. Your courses will be facilitated in Canvas, which allows you to access lectures from your professors, interact with your classmates and instructor, complete and submit assignments and assessments, and keep track of your progress by checking your grades.

Login: canvas.flint.umich.edu 

It is important to know that the major difference between online and traditional courses is the delivery format--not the content. A popular misconception is that online courses are easier than traditional classroom courses. However, online courses are equivalent in breadth and depth of content, workload, and quality of learning to traditional classroom courses, but the teaching and learning activities in the online learning environment may be somewhat different than the teaching and learning activities in on-campus courses.

Below are some simple best practices you can put into action to be a successful online student:

• Log in regularly

Logging in daily can help you to keep track of your course and avoid surprises.

• Pay attention to Announcements

• Carefully review the Course Information area of your course

Save your syllabus for later reference

• Don’t wait until the last minute to complete assignments and exams.

Instructors are less likely to be accommodating of your technical issues if you experience them just before a deadline.  A computer that freezes at 11:57 p.m. the night an exam is due is a much bigger problem than a glitch two days before the test window closes.

• Expect to work

Just because the class is online, don’t expect it to be a breeze.  Homework, tests, and participation are a part of online courses, too.

• Make your own schedule and stick to it

Though your instructor may not require you to be online on any certain day at a certain time, make a schedule for yourself to establish a rhythm for the course.  Have a two hour break on Monday and Wednesdays?  Use that window as time for your online class.

• Check your UM-Flint email regularly

Your instructors won’t know your personal email address, so keep an eye on your @umich.edu email address.  Any messages from your instructors, classmates, financial aid, the Registrar, and all other departments on campus will be sent to this address, so don’t fail to check it regularly.

• Ask Questions

Please contact your professor if you have questions regarding course content, due dates, exams, grades, resetting a test, etc.

Supported Operating Systems

Windows (Microsoft)

• Windows 10

• Windows 11

macOS (Apple)

• macOS 10.13 or higher

Chrome OS (Google)

• Most recent 2 versions supported

Supported Web Browsers

Visit the Canvas support site for the most up-to-date information on supported browsers

Recommendations

We recommend all computers have the following:

• 4GB minimum RAM

• High speed internet

• Webcam/Microphone