Q&A: Do I Have to be Technologically Savvy to Take Online Classes?
Answer: It's rarely a bad idea for someone to take college classes and further their education. Online classes do require you to have some basic knowledge and understanding of the Internet. You need to know how to utilize the Internet to access your course, and you should use the correct browser. (The browser is what you use to get to websites on the Internet, e.g. Microsoft's Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.)
You also have to know how to log in to your class and navigate your online classroom. Students are strongly encouraged to read the course syllabus, assignment instructions and all class announcements posted by the instructor. Also, spend time looking around the classroom so you know how to submit assignments, send messages, post responses and questions, and understand how the classroom is setup.
A huge part of being an online student is submitting assignments. You need to know where to submit assignments and submit them as required. Most assignments are submitted in text, for example, in Microsoft Word or PowerPoint. After completing your work, make sure to save it. Next, you upload the assignment. Typically, you go to the course's dropbox, select "browse", find your saved assignment and click. You can see your document near the "browse" button. If there is an "upload" button, click this last. For further assistance, there should be a "help" button available.
In addition, you should know how to receive (read) and send emails. Many colleges and universities use email as their main mode of communication, including announcements and newsletters. College/university staff is likely to communicate by email. If you and the instructor are communicating about a personal concern, your instructor will most likely email you.
To be an online student, you don't have to know every inch of a computer. If you make sure to get the major functions down, you can concentrate more on your classes and less on being "online."