Course Description | Course Objectives | Course Topics | Course Format | Mandatory LiveTalk Attendance | Course Grades | Contact Information | Help | Schedule | Course Materials | Ethical Conduct

Introduction to Online Learning (IOL) is a mandatory course that will prepare a learner and their computer for taking an online course offered through the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Attention is focused on learner responsibilities and communication strategies in online courses. Course content is written so that both the experienced and novice Internet user will understand the concepts. Course instructors do not assume that anyone taking the course is a computer expert, although it is expected that all online students have a good, basic understanding of how to operate a computer.

Please note: Do not wait until the month before a term starts to take IOL! Unforeseen issues (such as problems with LiveTalk!) often force users to take IOL multiple times before passing, and the School will not allow a student who has not passed IOL to enroll in an online course. Note also that students can take IOL a maximum of three times.

After completing this course, you will be able to:

• Navigate through a standard JHSPH online course
• Use online communication tools, including the BBS and LiveTalk
• Determine whether or not the computer that you use is capable of running JHSPH online courses
• Discuss expectations that both faculty and student bring to online courses.

• Using the Flash player
• Using the Adobe Acrobat reader
• Watching lecture presentations
• Finding lecture and course resources
• Communicating in a bulletin board (BBS)
• Participating in LiveTalk sessions
• Registering for online classes
• Being a JHSPH online learner

IOL has three modules, each of which has an exercise that must be completed. The full course can be completed in approximately 1–5 hours total over a two-week period, depending on your personal skill level:

Beginner: 2.5 hours per week, or 5 hours total
Intermediate: 1.5 hours per week, or 3 hours total
Advanced: 1 hour per week, or 2 hours total

Like most of online courses at JHSPH, Introduction to Online Learning allows you to work on the class materials on your own schedule — with the notable exception of LiveTalks, which are scheduled at specific days and times.

For IOL, you are required to read through the content and complete the exercise for each module. Additionally, you are expected to complete individual lecture evaluations and a final course evaluation. All exercises must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM EST/EDT on the last day of the course. No extensions will be granted and no exceptions will be made. If you do not complete all exercises in the time allowed, you must re-do any exercises you have already done if you take the course at a future time. Completed exercises do not carry over from offering to offering of this class.

You may use the progress tracking page in the Resources section of the course to track and confirm which exercises you have completed. If you fail to complete all the exercises, then you must re-register for the course. You may take the course a maximum of three times.

If you successfully complete all exercises in the class, you will receive email notification of completion of the course. You will also have access to the course Web site for future reference. No grades are given for this course, nor will it appear on any official Johns Hopkins transcript.

Concerns Contact Concerns about course topics and assignments Brian Klaas bklaas@jhsph.edu Technical concerns about the functionality and operation of course Web pages (before emailing, please make sure that you can replicate the problem) DEHelp, the central help system for all tech support inquiries related to DED courses Technical help on weekends JHSPH User Support: 410-955-3781 Concerns about your Internet connection Your Internet service provider (e.g., AT&T, Erols, etc.) Concerns about your personal software Your software vendor

Click on the "Schedule" link at the top of this page to view the schedule for this class, including all dates and times of course LiveTalks.

All online classes at JHSPH require that students have a USB headset microphone in order to participate in LiveTalk sessions. Information and recommendations about headset microphones for LiveTalks can be found on the computing requirements page.

No textbook is required for this course. For additional course-related information, please use the resources listed in the Web links section of each module and explore any other resources in support of mastering the course material.

The academic ethics code, as discussed in the Policy and Procedure Memorandum for Students, March 31, 1998, will be adhered to in this class.

If you are a student with a documented disability who requires an academic accommodation, please contact Betty H. Addison in the Office of Career Services and Disability Support: dss@jhsph.edu, 410-955-3034, or Room E-1140.