Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Uses for T.O.E. Courses
How are T.O.E. courses aligned with NCLB?
NCLB (Title IX, Part A) specifies that professional development activities are to be “high quality, sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction and the teacher’s performance in the classroom.” T.O.E. courses are noted for their emphasis on practical application, development of professional expertise, and relevance to today’s classrooms. All T.O.E. course assignments, journal entries, and forum discussions are expressly designed to help participants to apply what they are learning in their own classrooms. Furthermore, participants in all T.O.E. courses interact with their instructor and fellow teachers throughout each course to deepen and expand both their knowledge base and professional experience.
NCLB (Title II, Part D) “Enhancing Education Through Technology” requires every student to be technologically literate by the time he or she completes eighth grade. All T.O.E. courses utilize a range of technological applications, thereby introducing its teacher-participants to first-hand experience using said technologies in a learning environment. This experience may then be transferred to the participant’s own classroom as a means of helping his or her own students to increase their technological literacy.
Will the credits for my T.O.E. courses be accepted in my district?
It is your responsibility to determine if a T.O.E. course will be accepted by your district before you enroll. If your district requires further information or a syllabus, you or they may contact the Course Administrator, who will be happy to provide them with any information they need.
Where do I get a full syllabus if my district needs it to approve my course?
If you need a copy of the full syllabus, please contact the Course Administrator, who will be happy to help you.
Are T.O.E. courses part of any online degree program?
T.O.E. courses are not part of any online degree program. They may be used as electives in many degree programs, however. To find out, check with the Program Administrator for your degree program. T.O.E. will be happy to send them our full syllabus. This may be obtained from the T.O.E. Course Administrator.
Can I use T.O.E. courses for electives?
T.O.E. courses may be used as electives in many degree programs. To find out, check with the Program Administrator for your degree program. T.O.E. will be happy to send them our full syllabus. This may be obtained from the T.O.E. Course Administrator.
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Technology Expertise
What kind of computer do I need?
Minimum technology requirements include the following: Internet service, email account, and printer, as well as the following software and hardware requirements:
- Software: Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, or another word processing program capable of saving files in RTF (Rich Text Format), Web Browser (Netscape 4.0 or Internet 4.0 or higher).
- Hardware: PC minimum requirements: Pentium II 500 MHz PC, Windows 2000 OS, 128 MB RAM, 28.8 Kbps modem, sound card and speakers, 40 MB free disk space. Macintosh minimum requirements: PowerPC or G3 233 MHz machine, 128 MB RAM, 28.8Kbps modem, sound card and speakers, 40 MB free disk space.
How skilled at using a computer do I need to be?
T.O.E. courses require basic computer literacy skills such as knowing how to create and save simple documents using word-processing software (like Word or WordPerfect), use a mouse to navigate and open or close windows, and how to access the Internet. Participants need not worry if they have never taken an online course before. The Moodle platform is highly intuitive and very easy to learn. Participants will receive online training in how to use Moodle (the online platform for all T.O.E. courses) at the very beginning of their course. This training includes video demonstrations as well as written guidelines to print out and save. If you have any further questions about what online learning is like, or would like to take a quick self-quiz to see if online learning is right for you, click here.
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Enrollment
What if I’m not sure I’ll like online learning?
If you have any qualms at all, please click on How Online Learning Works on our website. There, you’ll find information, some online FAQs, and a fun quiz you can take to see if online learning is really for you.
Do I have to register at a university first?
No. When you enroll in a T.O.E. course, we take care of this step for you. Your information will be forwarded to the university you selected.
What if the course is full and I need the credits?
The first step is to put your name on the waiting list for that course. If an enrolled participant withdraws before or during the first week of the course, persons on the waiting list will be contacted in the order the names were added to the list.
Our Course Administrator continually monitors interest
in course waiting lists. If there is enough interest before
the course is set to open and an instructor is available,
she will open a new course and place you in it temporarily.
You will be contacted immediately and offered a position.
If you do not enroll within the time limit, your “seat” will
become available.
How do I get on a Waiting List?
To add your name to a waiting list, access the Course List (by clicking on Courses on the website Home Page). Find the course in which you are interested and the section of that course in which you want to register. Click on Waiting list for that section. Enter and submit the information required.
Is it ever possible to enroll in a course once it has begun?
Yes. If there are still seats available after the course begins, there is the option of enrolling late. This requires you to contact the Course Administrator, who will contact the instructor. Late enrollments are unlikely after the first two weeks of any course. Anyone enrolling late will still have to abide by the beginning and ending dates of the course. Thus, someone enrolling 2 weeks late would only have 10 weeks to complete the course, not 12.
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Course Materials
How do I get my textbook and the articles for my course?
The textbook(s) and any print-based articles required in your course will be shipped to you approximately 2 weeks prior to the opening date of your course. If you do not receive your materials by 3 days prior to this date, please contact the Course Administrator.
When are materials shipped?
The textbook(s) and any print-based articles required in your course will be shipped to you approximately 2 weeks prior to the opening date of your course. If you do not receive your materials by 3 days prior to this date, please contact the Course Administrator.
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Using Moodle
Why can’t I see my course on the Moodle site?
You will not be able to see your course section until the day the course opens. The only courses visible on the Moodle course site are those currently in session. However, if you cannot see your course even though it has opened, please contact the Course Administrator immediately.
How do I learn how to use Moodle before I start my course?
You will complete an Orientation Module as the first element of each T.O.E. course you take. This module is focused on helping you learn about Moodle and how to use its functions. You may find the Course Demo helpful if you want to get a glimpse into what a course written in Moodle looks like.
Where can I get help during the course?
Help is provided for you throughout the course. Each participant will complete an Orientation Module at the beginning of each course. This module and all of its content are available to the participant throughout the course. Moodle provide little help icons (a circle with a question mark inside) throughout each activity. To access them, simply click on the icon and a help pop-up window will appear. In addition, T.O.E. has linked help files throughout the course as well. Look for the little red apple icon. If you cannot find the answer to your problem using these resources, you may contact your instructor or TeacherOnlineEducation.com for assistance.
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Grading
What is an “Incomplete”?
Any participant who does not submit all of his or her work for a course during the 12 weeks in which the course is open will automatically receive a grade of “Incomplete”. If the participant wishes to finish the course work and receive a final grade (and the graduate credits due), he or she should contact the Course Administrator to arrange for an extension.
Why is it required that I complete a Final Evaluation in order to get my grade report?
University partners have accountabilities to accreditation bodies that require them to gather feedback regarding specific course-related criteria. In addition—like their university partners—T.O.E. collects data from several questions in the Final Evaluation form. These data are used constantly to revise and update courses. T.O.E. relies on continuous feedback to improve current courses and add new titles that its participants want and need. Finally, each instructor receives a summary of feedback at the end of his or her course. This allows the instructor and T.O.E. to monitor instructional quality.
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Withdrawals & Extensions
What if I can’t finish the course on time?
All T.O.E. courses are set to allow participants 12 weeks for completion. If a participant needs more time, he or she may arrange for an additional 12 weeks to complete the course by paying an additional Extension Fee of $100 for a further 3 months. The maximum extension is up to 9 months after the initial course ends obtained in 3-month increments), or the last day of the 12th month following the course opening, whichever comes first. Arrangements for extensions are made with the Course Administrator.
What’s an Extension Course?
When a course closes at the end of the 12th week, any extension participants who have paid the Extension Fee will be placed in the Extension section of whichever course they have been in. There is one Extension section for each course title. A different instructor will be their instructor/facilitator for that period. The instructor will have a record of the work previously completed. The participant will continue the course where he or she left off.
What is your withdrawal policy?
Withdrawal policies depend on the time of withdrawal:
- Withdrawals made between the time of registration and prior to the shipping of materials (two weeks prior to the course opening date) will have a full refund minus a $50 Withdrawal Fee (which amounts to a refund of $449).
- Withdrawals made after the shipping of materials but prior to the course opening date will receive a refund of the full amount minus the $50 withdrawal fee and additional $50 Materials/Shipping Fee (which amounts to a refund of $399).
- The last opportunity for withdrawal and a partial refund will be between the time the course opens and the participant’s completion of the Orientation Module or the end of the first seven days of the course, whichever comes first. This refund will be for 60% of the course fee (which amounts to $299). If the participant enters the numbered modules of the course during this time, the offer for a refund upon withdrawal is canceled.
- Once the participant has either completed the Orientation Module or the first seven days of the course have elapsed (whichever comes first, there are no further refunds available.
- Requests for transfers of withdrawals for emergency reasons will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Course Administrator.
What happens if I have an emergency and must withdraw after my course has begun?
If you are enrolled in a T.O.E. course, please contact the Course Administrator immediately. She will explain your options and help you find the best solution.
If I have an emergency, is withdrawing the only option?
No. The Course Administrator will explain your options. We want you to be able to finish your course if you choose to.
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Receiving Your Graduate Credits
When do I get the credits for my course?
You may expect a grade report within four weeks after the last day of the month in which you complete all of your coursework.
How do I get semester credits if the university offers quarter hours (or vice versa)?
It is a generally accepted practice that courses granting 5 quarter hours of credit are equivalent to courses granting 3 semester hours of credit, and vice versa. It is not necessary to “get” one instead of the other since they are interchangeable. If you have a concern, please check before you enroll in the course.
Why do I get a Grade Report instead of a Transcript?
This policy is followed by many universities to speed up the process for teachers. Grade reports are generated more easily and more quickly than transcripts, which often come from a different department. Many districts accept the university’s Grade Report in lieu of a formal transcript.
How can I get a transcript?
If you need a transcript in addition to your Grade Report, you may contact the university directly. There is usually a small fee involved, and sometimes the process is free. On the University Partners page of the T.O.E. website, there are links to the appropriate university department for each university with which T.O.E. is affiliated.
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