Welcome to Butler - Butler Online

Course Format
Frequently Asked Questions Butler Online
What is online learning? At Butler Online, learning opportunities(Web and Web Blended) are presented through the Internet using a learning management system known as ANGEL Learning (ANGEL). These courses cover the same objectives and competencies as courses offered face-to-face on campus. Instead of having an instructor physically present, you will get notes, lectures and assignments from web pages (and video material in some cases), participate in discussions, communicate, research, and take quizzes, and turn in assignments using the specially designed tools in ANGEL. You will still have a live instructor, classmates, textbook materials, a syllabus, assignments, feedback and exams. We even keep class sizes similar to those in Butler’s on-campus counterparts, about 18-25 per class. Are Butler Online courses open entry/open exit? No, both online courses and blended courses are subject to the school calendar. Although the course materials can be accessed at the student's convenience, there are deadlines and due dates for assignments and tests throughout the term. Each course has a definite start and stop date. Online students are expected to log on to their courses during the first week of classes and continue active participation throughout the semester. Do Online Courses have class meetings? There are two formats for Butler Online courses: Web courses and Web Blended courses. A Web course has no required on-campus visits. However, all instructors have the option to require proctored or on-site testing. A Blended course has required on-campus visits throughout the semester. These required meetings provide opportunities for labs, learning activities, and performance outcomes that are not feasible in an online environment. Check the online schedule and Blended schedule for specific information about on-site requirements for each course. How do I take tests? The individual instructors design theassessment process for their courses. Some require tests to administered in a proctored environment while others post the exams online and do not require a proctored environment. The Butler Testing Center is located at the Butler of Andover site. Students outside a 60-mile radius of a Butler site can make arrangements to take exams with a Butler-approved proctor. Exams may be administered in paper-based or Web-based formats. Butler of McConnell is not available for online testing. [back]
Personal considerations
What are some advantages of online learning? • You get the same high-quality instruction and course content that you demand, but without the day-to-day obstacles like fixed class schedules and travel time to get to a class. • You log on at the best time for you – even if you’re an early riser, or night owl. • Less worry about parking, gas, or day care hassles! What should I consider before enrolling in a Butler Online course? In an online course you and the instructor are connected through a computer network. You receive instruction, compose and submit assignments, ask questions, discuss issues and actively participate in the class anytime and anywhere you have access to the Internet. It is recommended that first-time online students do NOT enroll in more than one online course. Although you can access the course anywhere or anytime, there is a definite class structure and deadlines! Online courses, just as classroom-based instruction, require that you are fully aware of the instructor’s expectations and requirements. You need more self-discipline than required in most other learning format. Highly motivated, responsible and self-directed are key phrases that describe students who are successful in online learning. This short assessment will help you to understand whether your learning style is well-suited to online learning. You need easy, consistent access to the Internet. If you are not already very comfortable with word processing and using the Internet, then wait to take an online course. Instructors are there to teach the course content; they cannot teach you the necessary “computer literacy” skills at the same time! Take our technical self-assessment to get a good perspective on your current technical readiness. [back]
Technical Issues
Will ANGEL work with AOL or a Macintosh computer? ANGEL works with both PCs and Apple Macintosh computers. However, it is important to have a compatible Internet browser with specific settings. We recommend Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox. Macintosh's Safari browser is not supported by ANGEL. Is there an online orientation program to help me get started in online courses? Yes. We highly recommend attendance for your first online class. We offer numerous on-site orientations .

Send inquiries to: Meg McGranaghan Director of Instructional Technology Butler Community College El Dorado, KS 67042 316.322.3345 megmcg@butlercc.edu