Online/Blended Course Requirements
The University’s online learning environment includes a substantial expectation of interactive virtual learning activities and engagement. Chat rooms and threaded discussions provide opportunities for productive class interaction, and to connect with faculty members for help and guidance. Chat rooms are open for discussion with peers (at any time) or faculty (during office hours). Online courses engage students with interactive learning exercises and animated activities. Online courses also provide an audio visual advantage. Students are able to see and hear each lesson from any computer with access to the Internet that meets the hardware and software specifications listed herein. Because West Coast University is aware that students may have multiple ways of learning, the sights and sounds associated with online courses add a valuable dimension to the educational experience. Moreover, animations, graphs, charts, and slide presentations are regularly integrated into the courses.
Registration for online classes is opened determined by each campus no later than the fifth week of the term for next term. Students are informed of this registration period via email. Signing up for an online class using this process does not guarantee students placement into the class; registrars verify class schedules then place students into respective classes. Sign up information is found at the following link on the University website: http://westcoastuniversity.edu/forms/online-course.html.
New students will receive login information from eCollege Learning Studio via email. Alternatively, students can go to: http://westcoastunivonline.com to get a password, using their WCU student ID number as the login ID. Additional information is provided on the login page for forgotten passwords and user assistance.
First-time online or blended course students are enrolled into the New Student Training that takes place the week before classes begin. The Online Course Calendar provides training week dates.
Several academic programs include blended courses. Students can contact their program department for more information regarding the use of online or blended instruction. Blended courses combine traditional classroom instruction with online delivery. Generally blended courses meet in face-to-face the first and last days of class; all other class meetings occur online. Students enrolled in online or blended courses are required to participate in online course activities as outlined in each course’s syllabus.
Blended courses in the Nursing program meet in residence the first and last week of the term.
Online Course Calendar
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JANUARY Term
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Sunday, January 27, 2013 to Saturday, April 6, 2013
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Sign-Up Deadline Dates
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Training Week
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Class Start Date
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Class End Date
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| First-Time Students: |
Sunday January 20, 2013
to
Saturday January 26, 2013
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Sunday January 27, 2013 |
Saturday April 6, 2013 |
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Thursday January 17, 2013
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| Continuing Students: |
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Thursday January 24, 2013
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APRIL Term
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Sunday, April 7, 2013 to Saturday, June 15, 2013
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Sign-Up Deadline Dates
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Training Week
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Class Start Date
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Class End Date
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| First-Time Students: |
Sunday March 31, 2013
to
Saturday April 6, 2013
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Sunday April 7, 2013 |
Saturday June 15, 2013 |
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Thursday March 28, 2013
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| Continuing Students: |
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Thursday April 4, 2013
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JUNE Term
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Sunday, June 16, 2013 to Saturday, August 24, 2013
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Sign-Up Deadline Dates
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Training Week
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Class Start Date
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Class End Date
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| First-Time Students: |
Sunday June 9, 2013
to
Saturday June 15, 2013
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Sunday June 16, 2013 |
Saturday August 24, 2013 |
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Thursday June 6, 2013
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| Continuing Students: |
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Thursday June 13, 2013
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AUGUST Term
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Sunday, August 25, 2013 to Saturday, November 2, 2013
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Sign-Up Deadline Dates
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Training Week
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Class Start Date
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Class End Date
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| First-Time Students: |
Sunday August 18, 2013
to
Saturday August 24, 2013
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Sunday August 25, 2013 |
Saturday November 2, 2013 |
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Thursday August 15, 2013
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| Continuing Students: |
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Thursday August 22, 2012
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NOVEMBER Term
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Sunday, November 3, 2013 to Saturday, January 25, 2014
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Sign-Up Deadline Dates
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Training Week
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Class Start Date
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Class End Date
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| First-Time Students: |
Sunday October 27, 2013
to
Saturday November 2, 2013
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Sunday November 3, 2013 |
Saturday January 25, 2014 |
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Thursday October 24, 2013
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| Continuing Students: |
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Thursday October 31, 2013
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Online Course Calendar: Courses offered totally online only.
Blended Courses: Students are automatically signed-up.
First-Time Students: First-Time online students are those who have never completed an online course at West Coast University. First-Time online students have an earlier Sign-Up Deadline Date.
Continuing Students: Continuing online students are those who have previously completed a full-online course at West Coast University.
Students who are taking online and/or blended courses must:
- Complete the online New Student Orientation Tutorial or the online New Blended Student Tutorial, which includes exercises for students to test accessibility and become familiar with navigation;
- Meet the specific computer requirements with acceptable hardware and software configuration and internet access as follows:
System Requirements
Windows Users
- Window 7, Vista, or XP
- 56K modem or higher
- Soundcard & Speakers
- Firefox, Chrome, or Microsoft Internet Explorer
Mac Users
- Mac OS X or higher (in classic mode)
- 56K modem or higher
- Soundcard & Speakers
- Safari
iPad
Screen Resolution: The recommended setting for screen resolutions is 1024 x 768 pixels
Note: SPCH 142 requires digital video through a webcam.
Browser Requirements
Browsers listed below have been validated with the eCollege online course platform.
Windows Users
Recommended
- Microsoft Internet Explorer
- Mozilla Firefox
- Google Chrome
Mac Users
- Safari
- Mozilla Firefox
- Google Chrome
Please Note: In Safari web-browser the following prompt may appear:
“There is a problem with authentication, possibly due to inactivity. For your safety, you have been logged out and must sign in again to continue.”
To avoid this message:
- Use a different web-browser (Internet Explorer, FireFox, Google Chrome), or
- Contact the eCollege helpdesk 877-241-9344, or
- Follow the below steps in order to still use Safari:
In Safari click on “Preferences”
Click on “Privacy”
Click on “Block Cookies”
Change default or current settings to “Never”
Click “Apply”, this should all the course to be entered
Mobile Requirements
Mobile Sites
| iPhone |
iOS Safari 3.1.3 and above |
| Android |
OS Browser 1.5 and above |
| Windows |
OS Browser 7.0 and above |
| Blackberry |
OS Browser 5.0 and above |
| WEB OS |
OS Browser 1.4.1 and above |
| Symbian |
OS Browser 3.0 and above |
Native Applications
| Android |
2.1 and above |
| iPhone |
iOS 3.0 and above |
| Windows |
Windows Phone 7, 480 X 800 resolution |
Features Requirements
These commonly used plug-ins or tools may be required depending on the course. Students will be able to access courses without them; however, some features may not be available.
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Windows Users
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Mac Users
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| ClassLive |
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- Sun Java 2 SDK (Kava 1.5 or Java 1.6)
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- G4, G5 or Intel Processor Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5
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- Microsoft JVM (Windows XP SP1 only)
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- MacOS Classic Java (MRJ 2.2.5)
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ClassLive Audio
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- 56K kbps or higher modem*
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(Mac ClassLive Audio)
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- Windows Media Encoder 7.1
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- Soundcard with Speakers and Microphone or Headset*
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- Soundcard with Speakers and Microphone or Headset
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| Supported Browser Plug-ins |
- Real Player 8 Basic Player
- Macromedia Flash Player
- Macromedia Shockwave Player
- Windows Media Player
- Quicktime Player
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| Assistive Technology |
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| Third-party CoursePacks |
Instructors may choose to include a CoursePack (for example, a collection of readings, articles, video clips). Because actual CoursePack content varies, there may or may not have additional system requirements. Check with instructors or with the third-party CoursePack provider for specific requirements.
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*Instructor-only requirements for Audio Encoding
** Required for students only if instructor is using Live Audio
eCompanion
All face-to-face courses have a web-enhanced component called “eCompanion”. Each instructor will review how their course utilizes the web enhanced plug-ins or tools. The eCompanion component is supported by the same system requirements as specified for the online and blended courses.