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Understanding Online Learning

Online Learning

Education that takes place using the internet, digital classroom platforms and different types of software. Online courses are designed by Humber faculty using a common set of design principles: simplicity, usability and accessibility. They include activities and tasks that inspire thinking and creative applied learning experiences.

Online Learning/In-person

Often referred to as blended or hybrid learning, the online components of a program or course are designed to complement hands-on education that typically occurs on campus, creating an enriched learning experience.

Synchronous Learning

Instructor and learners engage with the course content in a group setting together in real-time, but from different locations. The class time is set and can occur over a number of weeks. The instructor interacts with the group of learners by means of a video conferencing platform to lecture, hold discussions and breakout sessions, live stream audio, video and presentations. This format is also sometimes referred to as online live/virtual live.

Asynchronous Learning

Instructor and learners engage with the course content at different times and from different locations. The learner has more flexibility to choose when to engage with the course content within the overall schedule set for course milestones. The content is a mix of lectures, learning activities, and recorded audio, video, and presentations.

Self-Paced Learning

Online learning that is designed to allow the learner to work according to their own schedule and proceed from one topic or segment to the next at their own pace. Learners have a set number of days to engage with the content and complete the course. The start date for each individual learner begins when they enroll.

About Online Learning

Online courses are similar to face-to-face courses as they cover the same learning outcomes and course content. However, they will differ in terms of content delivery and assessments. For example, some of our online courses are a mixture of synchronous and asynchronous moments; which means you might be working on your own or with a group, digesting course content, and then you might be attending a virtual office hours with your instructor. The critical path will give you a better understanding of course expectations.

Your online course will use a virtual classroom to facilitate learning. Once you have registered for an online course, you will received a welcome email with details on the type of learning platform the online course will be using. Once you have access to your course site, you’ll be able to find out all about your course and find things like a course outline or what textbooks are required.

Our online courses are available in a variety of different formats to suit the needs of learners. Many online courses do have firm start and end dates, however. While you can access your course material anytime, students are expected to complete the course requirements as per the schedule outlined by their teacher in the critical path.

All of the course content, materials and assignments will be available within your course site. Depending on the course, you may need to complete a final assessment in a proctored environment.

Once you enrol in an online course and gain access to your course site, you will find that the course materials take a variety of different forms. Any reading materials/textbooks that your course requires, will be listed in your course outline within your course site. Textbooks and supplies are an additional cost and are not included in course fees. Textbooks required will be mentioned in the course outline for the course.

Our online courses use a variety of evaluation methods, and in some cases, include a final assessment. Final assessments, where applicable, may use a variety of delivery methods. Your instructor will at some point indicate that delivery and how it may be completed.

Innovative Learning Support Centre

For technical help with your online course visit Humber’s Innovative Learning Support Centre for service hours and resources

Visit the Support Centre