Online, Hybrid, & HyFlex Courses
Before you enroll in an online or hybrid course, make sure you read each question and answer below.
What is an online course?
An online course is a course that is conducted over the Internet. The Chabot-Las Positas Community College District uses Canvas to deliver its asynchronous online courses and Zoom to deliver its synchronous (live) courses. Canvas allows students to communicate, collaborate, and complete coursework – all within a secure environment.
How do online courses work?
For asynchronous courses, activities such as discussions, exams, written papers, and even exams are accessible at any time of the day because everything is done electronically. You simply log into your course through a web browser, and you're in class. Most of these classes are not self-paced, so you’ll be required to adhere to due dates for assignments, quizzes, tests, etc.
For synchronous courses, all class meetings occur live online on scheduled days and times in Zoom. You can interact with your instructor and classmates in real time.
How do I know if I’m ready to take an online course?
Here are qualities that successful online students possess:
- Independent learner
- Self-motivated
- Good time-management skills
- Disciplined
- Daily access to a computer with an Internet connection
- Comfortable using a web browser and uploading/downloading files to/from the Internet
- Comfortable sending and opening attachments
- Comfortable using word-processing programs
If you don’t possess these qualities (i.e. you’re a procrastinator with low computer skills), you might want to take an on-campus course instead. If you are unsure about your qualities, contact a counselor.
How can I prepare for my first online course?
You can complete a series of Online Student Readiness Tutorials. If you feel more comfortable attending an orientation in person, come to an on-campus orientation.
Will I have a college email address?
Yes. Your college email, or Zonemail, address will be the default used in Canvas. However, you can set up automatic forwarding in Zonemail to your private account, or you can change your default address for Canvas in CLASS-Web.
Aren’t online courses easier than on-campus courses?
No. Although they cover the same content, they require at least as much time as on-campus courses. Typically, successful students report spending more time, not less, in an online course.
If I begin the course late, can an instructor drop me?
Yes. The instructor may drop students who miss the first meeting of a course. The first meeting of online or hybrid Distance Education courses is the first day of the class as specified in the class schedule listing. For these courses, instructors may drop students who do not log into their Canvas course and/or complete indicated activities by the third day of classes.
What is a hybrid course?
A hybrid course is a combination of an on-campus and an online course. If you prefer to learn in a traditional classroom setting but also want the flexibility offered by online courses, you might want to enroll in a hybrid course. You’ll come to campus for some of the class meetings, and you’ll go online for the others.
What would I be doing in the online portion of a hybrid course?
Some of the online activities that your instructor can require are group work, class discussions, research on the Internet, quizzes, and exams.
How can I succeed in a hybrid?
To succeed in a hybrid course, you will need to take responsibility for your own learning. This includes developing time management skills for online learning and being comfortable with technology, particularly the Internet. Much of the information on the previous pages about online courses apply to hybrids.
What is a HyFlex course?
The term "HyFlex" combines the words "hybrid" and "flexible", meaning that the classes are offered online and on campus (hybrid), but they give you the choice of how you want to attend (flexible).
While HyFlex classes give students the option of participating on campus, live online, or asynchronously online, not all HyFlex instructors offer all three participation choices. Here are the choices they can offer:
- Students either come to class on campus or participate in class live online.
- Students either come to class on campus or participate asynchronously online.
- Students either come to class on campus or participate in class live online or participate asynchronously online.
As a HyFlex student, whatever choice you make is not set for the rest of the semester. For example, you can attend a class session on campus one day, then participate live online the next session. It's up to you!
Chabot Online Learning Home Page
LPC Online Learning Home Page