FAQ's

Am I Ready for Online Learning?

Online Learning is a challenging learning format. Your success is directly tied to your effort and ability to be organized.

Online Learning requires a high level of motivation and self-discipline, and you may spend more hours on coursework than you would if you took the same course in a face-to-face classroom.

Purchase the textbook (and any other materials) before day one of the course. Unlike some face-to-face classrooms, the online courses begin with readings and assignments due immediately, even in some cases on day one. It is very important to be prepared.

Plan to spend 10 to 15 hours on assignments each week for each course.

How do you know if you are ready to learn online? To determine if online learning is right for you, check the box next to the statements you can answer "yes" to:

I have daily access to a computer with Internet access.
I can organize my time well, even when managing multiple demands.
I have good reading and writing skills.
I use the Internet, e-mail and word processing software regularly.
I can spend 10-15 hours a week on each class.
I enjoy working independently.

If you answered "yes" to most of these statements, online learning courses may be a good option for you. You need to be self-motivated. The ability to communicate well in writing is essential to success.

What technology is necessary to take an online course?

Students taking online courses through Mount Aloysius College need to be prepared for the learning conditions presented by such courses. Please take a moment to review the information below to determine your level of preparation. Students are strongly advised to consult additional information regarding taking online courses at the Mount by consulting the Mount Aloysius College Online Education Student Guide. This document is available at the Mount portal web site at http://portal.mtaloy.edu. From the Mount portal page, select MAC Policies - Documents, then locate the student guide.

Equipment and Software Requirements

The computer and technical criteria listed below are requirements for participation in an online course. If you are planning to participate in an online course, be sure your computer meets these standards. Please Note: These are standard minimums; your instructor or course may require you to have other types of computer/ technical capabilities on your computer.

Windows

500 MHz Pentium III Processor
Windows XP or 8 with necessary critical updates and security patches (see MS download site for details)
512 Mb RAM
Audio Card
Printer
15Gb Hard Drive Space
Internet Service Provider
Internet Browser (Internet Explorer Recommended – 6.0 or higher or Mozilla Firefox recommended).NOTE: If AOL is your Internet Provider, download, install and use a compatible browser only. Do not use the browsers embedded in the AOL software.
Modem (high speed preferred)
Screen “Popup Blockers” (if installed) must be deactivated prior to using Blackboard or taking Blackboard tests online.
Cookies and (updated) Java must be enabled
Microsoft Office Suite highly recommended (MS Word (or equivalent) required for all courses; other MS Office components such as MS PowerPoint or MS Excel may be required for other courses, see the course syllabus for details)
Current up to date Anti-Virus Software
Adobe Acrobat Reader Installed (free download from www.adobe.com)

Macintosh

Mac OS 8.5 or later
G3 233 (or faster) PowerPC Processor
64MB of RAM
Virtual Memory turned on, set to 128
60 Gig Hard Drive Space
Printer
Audio Card
Internet Service Provider
Modem (high speed preferred)
Internet Browser (Internet Explorer Recommended – 6.0 or higher or Mozilla Firefox recommended). NOTE: If AOL is your Internet Provider, download, install and use a compatible browser only. Do not use the browsers embedded in the AOL software.
Screen “Popup Blockers” (if installed) must be deactivated prior to using Blackboard or taking Blackboard tests online.
Cookies and (updated) Java must be enabled
Word Processing Software: MS Word preferred
Current up to date Anti-Virus Software
Adobe Acrobat Reader Installed (free download from www.adobe.com)

If you cannot meet all of the standard equipment requirements above, your online experience may not be successful. We highly recommend that your computer equipment meets or exceeds the criteria above before planning to participate in an online course.

If you have further questions, please contact the help desk at (814) 886-6502 or helpdesk@mtaloy.edu.

The Mount Aloysius College portal page at http://portal.mtaloy.edu has a link for information on purchasing software at student discounted prices. Select Discount Software on the portal page. Then select Mount Aloysius College on the JouneyEd Software homepage. JourneyEd provides deep discounts on software purchases to Mount students, including MS Office and other popular software programs and packages.

Is technical assistance available?

The College help desk is available during normal business hours by phone or e-mail to all college faculty and students regardless of location. Students or faculty requesting help after hours will receive a follow up phone call or e-mail the following business day. All technical inquiries are to be directed to the helpdesk.

Access to the helpdesk is by phone 814-886-6502 or email at helpdesk@mtaloy.edu.

How will I contact my instructor?

All faculty have a phone number and email address that is provided in their syllabus. In addition, a directory of Mount personnel is available within the MyMAC portal. Each instructor will respond to requests for help within 24 hours (48 hours on weekends).

How are classes setup?

Mount Aloysius College Online uses Blackboard. Classes are divided into modules, and each module typically lasts one week. Modules include a variety of activities and assignments such as readings, discussion board postings, online quizzes, written work to be submitted, and individual or group projects. Most importantly, classes are asynchronous, meaning that you don't have to be online at a particular time of day to do classwork. Instead, you will meet regularly scheduled deadlines for submitting required class work.

Can I easily access specific information about the program?

Most of the questions that prospective and current students have can be answered from one of the buttons on our online programs page (www.mtaloy.edu/online). From program description to admissions, tuition and fees to class schedules, along with helpful links to different departments at Mount Aloysius College, plenty of information is provided to help assist you in making an informed decision about our online degree completion programs. Need more information? Just email or call our Graduate and Continuing Education office at 814-886-6406 or at GCE@mtaloy.edu