In an Internet-based program, students do not attend any regularly scheduled classes. Your entire contact with both other students and the instructor is conducted over the Internet. The bulk of the course work, with the exception of text books, and specified exams, including the final exam, is transmitted to and from you via the Internet.

An Internet-based approach has the potential of offering several benefits. Since you do not have to attend any regularly scheduled classes, you do not have to be in a specific place at a specific time each and every week. You can do the required work when and where it is convenient for you. Also, since the class is offered in cyberspace, students from several campuses can easily participate in the same course. Courses are less likely to be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

There are differences in the way you "take" an Internet-based program as compared to a classroom-based program. The program instructors have adapted classroom experiences to Internet delivery. You may, for example, answer questions from the textbook's study guide on your computer rather than taking a quiz in the classroom. You may be required to "participate" in a discussion by writing your thoughts on a particular topic in a venue such as e-mail, World Wide Web page, or online discussion forum. Many courses and textbooks utilize CD Roms to instruct and create visual experiences.

You will be able to find help with your studies from at least three sources: your instructor, the School and other students taking the course with you.

• Help from the instructor: Although there are no regularly scheduled class meetings, there is an instructor for the course and she or he is available to guide your studies and provide extra help when needed. You will receive assignments on at least a weekly basis that will be evaluated in the same manner as a classroom-based course. You can contact the instructor via e-mail and, during the normal work-week, receive a response within 24 hours. Also, you may receive "RealTime" assistance via the telephone. The course syllabus for the program you are taking contains phone numbers for contacting the instructor.
• Help from the School: You have full access to the School's staff. The School directors, staff and faculty are available either through email or phone.
• Help from your classmates: Even though you will not be meeting in classroom sessions, you do have a group of peers going through the program with you. The School encourages you to work with your cohorts and develop a learning community over the Internet. Several provisions have been made to encourage the development of such a community. Each student can develop and post her or his own Web page for the course. The e-mail addresses of all students participating in the program are available at the courses Web site.
  

You will either thoroughly enjoy the convenience of making your own schedule and taking your class at home, or you may really miss the structure and "teacher-centered" education in a classroom setting! This is very understandable, and you may know what type of education will best serve you if you better understand your learning style:

You will more enjoy this type of course and program if you:

• Are highly motivated
• Are Independent
• Understand your "Learning Style"
• Have good organizational skills
• Put a high value on "convenience"
• Can adapt to new environments easily
• Enjoy searching for information on your own
• Have a good working knowledge of your computer and basic computer applications
• Check your email every day and can attach files and open attachments in your email program
• Are Disciplined
• Are not dependent on other class members and teachers to help you each class
• Have successfully taken School courses in a classroom
• Consider yourself a mature adult with time management skills

Please note that the The National Institute of Realtime Reporting Online staff and administration are available to you before, during and after your courses! Your fastest contact with us is through email, though you may call us during normal work hours.

1) Online programs are exactly the same as classroom programs in quality, objectives, credits and learning outcomes. They use a different "methodology" by using the Internet, instead of a "classroom."

2) Online programs are "Student Centered" rather than "Teacher Centered," so you will not sit and listen to long lectures, and not be required to log into your course at any specific time. Your teacher is a "facilitator" and will assist you in learning the material required; explain details clearly in writing; provide you with information links, CD Roms and web materials and references; answer all email questions usually within 24 hours; correct all required work, papers, projects and quizzes as quickly as possible; and post your grade in your grade book.

3) You must be an "active learner", not "passive" waiting for your teacher to remind you to do your homework, checking on your progress every day and telling you what you are missing each week. A successful online student will take the responsibility for his or her own learning: completing work on time; emailing the instructor for assistance; keeping the instructor informed of any personal issues and learning assistance you need; communicating with other students in the class; keeping up with readings, case studies and web links; logging into the course almost daily for updates, emails and information concerning the course; and completing the course on time.

4) Expect to be graded on the value, content and timeliness of your work - not on other issues such as number of emails and questions, class dominance, or past course performance.You can expect your teacher to give you as much of an opportunity to improve throughout your program, but all work must be completed by the timeline on the syllabus.

5) You will find that you learn more than you expected in this program. By being an active learner, you will remember more of this coursework content and feel more of an accomplishment upon completion. Expect an online program to take you more time and energy than a classroom course, but the results are often that you learn more, too!

6) Students are often surprised to find that they feel they get to know their teachers and classmates better online than in a classroom, due to the number of emails and contacts, and more active class discussions and interactions online during the weeks than in a formal classroom setting. (Shy students often comment that they participate more online than in any previous School classroom courses!)

7) Expect that your teachers and classmates may be from any place in this state, country or from around the world! The Internet offers a wonderful opportunity to take classes with people you would not normally meet from around the country.

8) You will learn more than the content of the course: expect to learn how to do research online, how to utilize and experience new web sites, how to use more computer applications (such as NetMeetings, Adobe Acrobat, file attachments, voice-streaming, PowerPoint(R) presentations, etc), utilize new search engines and, most importantly, how to express yourself better in writing.

9) Technical and academic assistance:
Please note that the The National Institute of Realtime Reporting Online staff and administration are available to you before, during and after your program! Your fastest contact with us is through email, though you may call us during normal work hours.

1) Complete an online School Application and SLM Financial Application if seeking financial assistance

2) Upon identification of the SLM distribution date or full payment of the program, your program’s equipment, software and textbooks will be ordered. Anticipate at least 3-4 weeks for delivery. Students can not start the program without the delivery of the equipment and software.

3) Passwords and usernames are assigned on the Friday before your class begins. An email with a Welcome Letter will be emailed to you before the start of the class with all the information and procedures you need to start the program.

4) Classes begin when a cohort of eight students have received their equipment and software to begin the class. Anticipate a a new program start every 8-10 weeks.

5) Please note that every part of the program is online: including all quizzes and final exams.
Please note that the The National Institute of Realtime Reporting Online staff and administration are available to you before, during and after your courses! Your fastest contact with us is through email, though you may call us during normal work hours.


The National Institute of Realtime Reporting Online
220 Forbes Road, Suite 302, Braintree, Massachusetts, 02184
Phone: 800-875-1552
admissions@real-timereporting.com
www.real-timereporting.com