Online Learning
Requirements
Hardware
Students must own or have unlimited access to a personal desktop computer or laptop with the following MINIMUM requirements:
Windows:
- OS: Windows Vista or Windows 7
- RAM: 2GB or better
- Hard Drive: 50GB or greater of free space
- Modem: Broadband
- Browser: Microsoft Internet Explorer 9, Mozilla Firefox 9, Google Chrome 16, Apple Safari 5
- Browser Settings: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.6.0_20 or newer & Cookies enabled
- Word Processor: Microsoft Word or alternative word processor that can save to the Rich-Text format
- FTP Client: WSFTP, Filezilla or SmartFTPE-mail: Browser
Macintosh
- OS: 10.5 (Leopard) or later
- RAM: 2GB or better
- Hard Drive: 50GB or greater of free space
- Modem: Broadband
- Browser: Mozilla Firefox 9, Google Chrome 16, Apple Safari 5
- Browser Settings: Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.6.0_20 or newer & Cookies enabled
- Word Processor: Microsoft Word or alternative word processor that can save to the Rich-Text format
- FTP Client: Fetch, Cyberduck, or Transmit
- E-mail: Browser
Software
- Microsoft Office: 2007 at a minimum. Check with the instructor regarding additional software requirements for the course.
Check out the Microsoft Ultimate Steal at http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx#.
- Knowledge of common computing terms
- Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet and presentation software
- Proficiency with sending/receiving e-mail, including e-mail with attachments
- Proficiency with web browser software
- Familiarity with navigating the World Wide Web
- Proficiency with downloading large video files and playing them in the appropriate software packages (QuickTime, iTunes, …)
Responsibilities
Option 1: The student attends a testing session in Russell Hall, School of Business at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. This session will be proctored by the faculty member. This is the only option for those students in the Natchitoches area. (Defined as within 10 miles of NSU)
The only exception to this requirement is those students taught by instructors on the NSU Leesville/Ft. Polk campus. The student will make arrangements through their instructor for a testing room on the NSU Leesville campus.
The student must notify the faculty member via email that they will be attending the testing session. Refer to Moodle for the date, time, and place for each required testing session.
The student will need to provide a photo ID to the faculty member and work alone during the testing session under the supervision of the faculty member.
Option 2: A student may use one of the testing services approved to administer proctoring during the designated period:
- An instructor‐approved proctor from any Northwestern State University location, Marksville, Ft. Polk, Alexandria, Natchitoches, Barksdale, Shreveport Nursing Campus or military entity
- An official testing/educational center from any accredited college, university or military entity
- University designated online proctoring service
- High school students who are taking dual enrollment courses should be allowed to use their school’s approved proctor, i.e. Guidance Counselor, Principal, Assistant Principal or designated teacher
The following procedure must be followed to arrange an individual proctored testing session for Choice 2:
- Find an External Proctor and a center willing to proctor your Moodle testing session.
- Complete the External Proctor Approval Form which includes the name of the center, location of the center, proctor name, title (professor, etc.), business phone number and appropriate e-mail. This form must be completed before the student attends any proctored testing sessions. This form MUST be typed or printed legibly. If the form cannot be clearly read by the instructor, the student will not be allowed to use an External Proctor.
- The faculty member will contact the proctor by e-mail or phone to provide instructions on materials allowed for the testing session, if any, and how to access Moodle.
- Relatives, friends, employers, or tutors may not be proctors. Exams cannot be mailed to or accessed at a residential address. It must be a place of business. The emails provided for external proctors may not be personal email accounts. No exceptions.
- The student will need to provide a photo ID to the proctor and work alone during the testing session under the supervision of the proctor.
- The student is responsible for paying fees (proctoring, mailing, etc.) if required by the proctor.
- The student is responsible for making sure that Internet access is available at the location of the proctor if needed.
- The proctor must send an e-mail to the faculty member after the testing session affirming that the student completed the testing in the specified manner.
- If the testing session requires a scantron, it is the student’s responsibility to provide a scantron.
- If a student has not made any individual arrangements for a proctored testing session prior to the required date, the student will receive an “F”.
- Submit the External Proctor Approval form to the faculty member either by fax or email attachment (email attachment is preferred). This form is for one course only. If the student has more than one online course, the student must submit one External Proctor Approval form per course. NOTE: The School of Business will have final approval on all proctors.
- Register your online course with the Office of Electronic Learning & Global Engagement. Check the box to indicate that proctoring will be used per the College of Business requirements.
- A minimum of 50% of the course grade must be proctored.
- Include information in the course syllabus and/or online contract to inform students that proctoring will be used.
- At least one non-traditional time period for each required proctored assignment will be scheduled. (Non-traditional time is defined as 5:30 p.m. (CST) or after or any time on weekends.)
- Faculty members may not define a mileage range for exclusion of the student’s right to choose either option. The student always has a right to make their choice between Option 1 & 2.
- Reserve a room in the School of Business, Russell Hall, for the proctored testing session. Contact the Dean’s office for reservations and keys if needed. If teaching on the NSU Leesville/Ft. Polk campus, arrange for a room on the Leesville campus.
- Faculty members may choose to administer paper or Moodle delivery system for assurance of learning.
- Online Moodle Exam/Quiz
- The faculty member will e-mail a password to the approved external proctor for opening an online exam/quiz in Moodle. External proctoring of Moodle exams/quizzes will have a time limit not to exceed 1 hour and 30 minutes excluding final exams and projects. This time limit also applies if the faculty member is proctoring the Blackboard exam/quiz.
- Paper Exam/Quiz
- The faculty member will e-mail a password to the approved external proctor for opening an online exam/quiz in Moodle. External proctoring of Moodle exams/quizzes will have a time limit not to exceed 1 hour and 30 minutes excluding final exams and projects. This time limit also applies if the faculty member is proctoring the Moodle exam/quiz.
- Online Moodle Exam/Quiz
- Supervise students taking a Moodle exam/quiz during proctored session in Russell Hall, School of Business on the NSU campus. If faculty members are teaching on the Leesville/Ft. Polk campus, supervise on the Leesville campus. Supervision includes identifying students with a photo ID.
- Receive exam/quiz password and access instructions by e-mail and keep them secure.
- Administer and supervise exams/quizzes. Supervision includes identifying student with a photo ID.
- Administer and supervise exams/quizzes in a contiguous time period. No “split” or “continued” testing sessions are allowed. Students may not use course notes, textbooks, workbooks, manuals, the internet for browsing, or electronic devices to assist them in the completion of an exam/quiz unless otherwise noted by the faculty member.
- Terminate the testing session if the testing procedure is compromised and notify the faculty member by e-mail.
- Notify the faculty member by e-mail when the exam/quiz is completed.
- Assure that the student logs off and closes the browser after completing the testing session.
Paper Exam/Quiz
- Receive paper exams/quizzes by mail and keep secure.
- Administer and supervise exams. Supervision includes identifying student with a photo ID.
- Administer and supervise exam/quizzes in a contiguous time period. No “split” or “continued” testing sessions are allowed. Students may not use course notes, textbooks, workbooks, manuals, the internet for browsing, or electronic devices to assist them in the completion of an exam/quiz unless otherwise noted by the faculty member.
- Terminate the testing session if the testing procedure is compromised and notify the faculty member. Provide details on the exam/quiz or on a separate note.
- Return exam/quiz to the faculty member within 2 business days.