Online Learning at Alexander College

Alexander College offers select courses in a fully online format.

An online course is one that is specifically designed to be delivered online. There is no face-to-face component to an online course, and typically no instructor lecture. Instead, students taking an online course learn by following along with the schedule of assigned weekly readings and by participating in discussion forums with their instructor and classmates. With an online class, there are no fixed class times.

The information below refers specifically to courses designed for online delivery (ON)

What is an ‘online” course?
An online course is a course that is designed to be delivered fully online, and which does not take place on a fixed weekly schedule. When you take an online course, there is no lecture from the instructor; instead students are provided with the schedule of weekly readings and are expected to read on their own, to discuss the readings in the class forums every week, and to complete assignments.

If you prefer to study at home or you have difficulty attending classes at a fixed time or location, and if you have excellent self-discipline and time management skills, then an online course may be right for you.

With online learning, you can:
- Earn credit for university transfer courses and complete part of your Associate Degree program without having to physically be at the College every day.
- Work part-time while you study.
- Get a quality education from Alexander College without leaving home.
How can I be a successful online learner? To succeed in online classes, you must:
- You must have a valid Alexander College ID card (we need those pictures integrated into MyAC so that we have a face to go with the name).
- You must upload a current photograph on to your Canvas account profile – this picture must be similar to the picture on your AC Student Card (no avatars, graphics or blurry photos)
- Be able to meet the course deadlines, which are not negotiable.
- Reliably and regularly log into your course, connect with your instructor and classmates.
- Complete assignments, readings and discussion posts on time.
- Use the online Learning Management System to download course materials and upload assignments for grading.
What are the technology requirements for Online Learning?
- Access to a laptop or desktop computer on a daily basis. For detailed specifications and tips when choosing a computer, read our recommendations here
- Stable, secure internet connection.
  - A minimum of 5.0 Mbps download and 1.5 Mbps upload speed is required to run course content on Canvas and Zoom. This is assuming a single device is connected to the internet.
  - 25 Mbps download speed and 2 Mbps upload is recommended for best performance.
- Familiarity with Office programs such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.
- Personal, not shared, email account such as gmail, yahoo, outlook, etc.
  - We do not recommend qq, naver, or 123.com email accounts.
How is online learning different from traditional face-to-face learning?
- In many ways, there are few differences. Online courses deliver the same content and quality as their classroom counterparts.
- One difference between face-to-face learning and online learning is the way that content is taught to students.
- The other is that with face-to-face learning the students meet at a fixed class time, whereas with online learning the students study on their own schedule.
What happens if I need help with my online course?
As an online learner at Alexander College, you’ll be supported by friendly staff and real-time services to help you access your online course technologies and use the College Library online.
- Program staff provide you with directions on how to access your course and where to buy course texts and other required materials. In many cases, course materials are provided free, online as well.
- The Canvas Online Help Desk is set up to support your use of all course tools and technologies.
  - canvashelp@alexandercollege.ca (response will arrive within 24 hours [48 on weekends])
  - 604-558-6195 (Mon. – Fri. 8:30-4:30) Live phone calls only, no texting.
    - If you get voicemail, please leave your full name, student number and clearly describe your issue.
    - Phone calls are not returned; your issue will be dealt with and an email reply will be sent.
Do online courses count toward my full-time enrolment status?

Yes, online courses are count toward full-time enrolment status just like a face-to-face course.
How many online courses can I take in the same semester?

That depends on your study plans and your academic performance. If you are a strong student with excellent attendance and time management skills, one or more online courses may be right for you. There is currently no limit on how many online courses can be taken in the same semester. There are course registration limits (i.e. the greatest number of courses that a student can take in a single semester), normally a maximum of 6 courses during Fall and Winter terms, maximum of 5 courses during Spring term, and maximum of 3 courses during Summer Intensive term. These maximums can include any combination of face-to-face courses and online courses.
Do online courses count toward my Associate degree requirements?

Yes. Online courses are equivalent to face-to-face courses, the only difference is the delivery model (e.g. face-to-face vs. online)
Do online courses count towards my Post-Graduation Work Permit eligibility?

Yes, but only 50% of degree requirements can be completed online (i.e. a maximum of 30 credits can be taken online within an Associate degree program). https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/study-canada/work/after-graduation/eligibility.html#distance