Class away from class

Online classes, whether at Portland State or elsewhere, carry the allure of convenience. Outside of the classroom, students can kick back after a long day, a plate of warm homemade cookies at their side, and listen to a biology lecture. Here’s a little information about how the how process works.

Online classes, whether at Portland State or elsewhere, carry the allure of convenience. Outside of the classroom, students can kick back after a long day, a plate of warm homemade cookies at their side, and listen to a biology lecture. Here’s a little information about how the how process works.

For students who haven’t taken online classes at PSU before, the first thing to do is obtain an ODIN account from the Office of Information Technologies, located in the basement of the Smith Memorial Student Union (room 18).

Students need to use their ODIN account, used with PSU’s online learning system Blackboard, for things like registering for Web classes and getting course assignments.

Enrolling in an online class is done the same way as registering for non-Web classes. Students can look up classes online at banweb.pdx.edu or the PSU Web site.

Classes are offered for both undergrads and graduates and range from being conducted either entirely or partially online. Many non-Web classes also use Blackboard for holding discussion groups and posting notes, homework projects and study materials.

Professor Sharon Blanton, CIO of Information Technologies, said that this fall there are 550 courses registered to use Blackboard in some form, and that about 12,000 students are registered in the Blackboard system.

Aside from courses that may be specific to a major, independent study and general education classes in subjects such as English, math, science and others are available.

Michael Chamberlain of the Center for Academic Excellence said that the Skills Enhancement and Tutoring Center, located in room 425 of the SMSU, is offering training in how to use Blackboard for students or faculty looking for practice, or just answers to questions.

For more information on Blackboard, visit psuonline.pdx.edu.

Pros and cons to online classes according to three Portland State students who have taken them

PRO“I decided to take online classes because I didn’t want to attend classes all day long, I wanted to save a lot of printing paper, and I have found that some online classes will include their book as part of the portal, which saves me a lot of cash.” -Cody Bakken

“I think it was good learning because to pass the final and end-of-term paper you had to read and have an outside study group.” -Amber Hunt

Martin said he is taking two online classes because he was unable to register for a non-Web equivalent and another was only offered during fall term, respectively. -Steven Martin

CON“Online classes can have weird deadlines, like ‘midnight of this Saturday’.” -Cody Bakken

“No dialogue or personal interaction with the professor, just e-mail, and the professor wasn’t always timely with responses.” – Amber Hunt

“You can’t pop up a hand to ask a question. You have to e-mail.” -Steven Martin