OL Admittance
Will I have to be admitted to UAH to take online courses?
Anyone taking a course from UAH must be admitted either as a degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking student.
Lecture Capture
How Does lecture capture work?
At UAH, we record (capture) live classes using advanced media encoding software from Panopto to consolidate audio and video lectures alongside materials presented by faculty members. Our unique lecture capture system allows any content presented in class to be captured and made available to you through our server. These materials may include slideshows such as PowerPoint, demonstrated documents such as drawings or excerpts from textbooks, audio and/or video media clips, SmartBoard and Sympodium annotations, as well as many other technology inputs. Synchronization of this content is completed and the captured lectures are placed online for asynchronous viewing via Panopto. You have the option to watch content as many times as you need, and at any time after the lecture has completed. Some classes may also be available for downloading and live streaming, based on the settings applied by your professor. Additionally, you will be able to bookmark as well as add notes to each of your sessions.
How to access your OL Content/Lectures
Online Learning video content can be accessed through Canvas. For information regarding features available within the Panopto system during playback, such as note taking, bookmarks, using the viewer, and other functionality, visit UAH OIT Documentation and Training or download "Viewing Sessions" from Panopto Support.
OL Class Structure
What will my classes be like?
UAH Online courses are offered online with content delivered via video streaming, videoconferencing, Canvas Learning Management System and/or other interactive technologies.
Will I have to attend classes on a campus?
No. Our online courses are offered and are accessible completely online, giving you the convenience and flexibility to earn your degree wherever you have high-speed Internet access.
Who teaches UAH’s online classes?
Classes are taught by UAH faculty members who have advanced degrees and bring situation-specific relevance to every course to ensure that you are prepared for real-life challenges after you graduate.
What are the On-Campus Visit Requirements?
Classes listed as “O” or “Online” are 100% online and do not require any on campus visits from students. Some assignments, exams, and other course activities may offer on-campus and synchronous activities. However, students should seek alternate options for these activities when unable to attend on campus due to distance or other conflicts.
Canvas
What is Canvas?
Canvas is the learning management system (LMS) used by the UAH Campus, adopted Spring 2015. Many of our OL faculty members may use this system to post syllabi, collect assignments, and distribute documents, as well as to communicate with students with asynchronous discussion forums, among other uses. If you need assistance with use of this system with your OL classes, please contact Canvas Support. Canvas Support can be accessed by logging into Canvas, and clicking the 'Help' icon located at the bottom of the blue, left-hand column. From there, you can choose to chat with Canvas Support, call the Canvas Support number at 844.219.5802, or view common Canvas questions.
Panopto
What features are available through Panopto when viewing a Webcast (live streamed) event?
Panopto allows viewers to watch content on-demand (asynchronously) and also via Webcasting, which is also called live streaming. Webcasting events allow viewers to see and hear the presenter while the event is being recorded, along with seeing any content being presented (i.e., PowerPoint slides) as time-synched pictures alongside the presentation, just as though you were watching asynchronously. Webcasting events may be configured to allow viewers to also see and respond to live polls, submit questions via a Q&A tool, and view linked documents that are being shown live in class along with the rest of the class. Q&A functionality is typically managed by an on-site moderator during live events.
If you are interested in seeing your class live, contact your professor to request this option. (Please note that you may also view polls that have been completed, view linked documents, and submit questions when viewing videos on-demand/asynchronously, if these tools are enabled in your event).
What are the Technical Specifications for Using Panopto?
Visit the Panopto Viewing Requirements page for more information on system requirements.
Taking Exams
How Do I Take My Exams & What are the Online Learning Testing and Proctoring Procedures?
Proctoring of on-site and online examinations are common among OL courses offered by UAH, in order to ensure the integrity of both the student completing the exam and also of the content presented in the examination itself. OL policy requires the OL student to identify someone in the student's local region that is willing to serve as a testing proctor.
Students who are registered as OL students are expected to complete examinations through the process noted by their instructor; some examinations may be completed in paper-based format, while others may be online. Information on examination formats will be provided by your OL instructor.
Visit the Testing Services website for complete guidelines on all proctoring services, to schedule an appointment, and more information on services offered to students with special needs.
What options are offered to have my exams proctored either on-campus or at another institution?
This live document will give you up-to-date information regarding where you can have exams proctored and the cost of that service.
What technologies are used when OL students take exams remotely?
In some circumstances, individual courses and Colleges may use specific products to enhance testing security, such as a lock-down browser software called Respondus. Respondus increases confidence in online testing–-A custom browser that locks down the online testing environment, so students can not cheat while taking their online exam. Use of such technology will be provided as a notification to students in individual courses.
Tuition & Fees
Is there a difference in OL Tuition Fees?
Online Learning students will receive full online, readily available access to all captured class lectures recorded during the semester in which the student is registered. Where approved by your professor, you are also allowed to join in on the live class, should you be available locally during the term.
For more information covering tuition, please refer to the Office of the Bursar.
What is the refund policy?
Direct Deposit of Refunds may be made by filling out the Direct Deposit Request form and turning it along with a voided check. Your name must be on the account and imprinted on the check. Read more about the UAH refund policy.
Registration/Drop/Add
How do I register for a OL course?
To register for an OL course, contact your academic advisor with in chosen area of study for your registration access code. Once you have obtained your access code, you can self-register for the OL courses by logging into Banner. You will then be able to utilize the new UAH Interactive Class Schedule that allows for sorting by class Instructional Method (Online, Hybrid, or Traditional).
How do I drop an OL class?
To drop or withdraw from an OL course, you must do so through Banner or contact your academic advisor for assistance.
OL Degrees
What degrees do you offer through Online Learning?
Refer to the Online Degrees page for the most up-to-date source of information on UAH online courses.
Are the college credits earned in UAH degree programs equivalent to those earned at a traditional university?
Yes. Transcripts do not reflect the delivery method of a course, only the credit hours earned. The objectives and outcomes of online courses are identical to those of an on-site class.
Technical Assistance
What if I need technical assistance with my online course?
Faculty and staff experiencing problems with their UAH-owned computer or online resources run by their college or department are encouraged to first report the problem to the technical support staff of their college or department before contacting the OIT Help Desk.
To report a problem, contact the OIT Help Desk. Please be prepared to share the following information:
- Your Full Name
- Charger ID
- Contact Information
- General Description of the Problem
You can reach the OIT Helpdesk at:
Phone: 256-824-3333 | Email: helpdesk@uah.edu | OIT Help Center
Contacting Canvas Support
Need help? Canvas support is available 24/7 for all course formats, traditional, hybrid, and online. They also provide assistance with Panopto, TurnItIn, Respondus Monitor, and Respondus LockDown Browser.
You Can reach Canvas Support at:
- (844) 219-5802 or,
- Login to your Canvas Course (canvas.uah.edu), click the Help icon on the left-hand menu bar, select "Chat with Canvas Support"
Please contact Online Learning with any questions you have specific to Online Learning. You may also contact your instructor or program advisor by email at any time.
Parking
I am taking classes FULLY online, can I park on campus for free?
No. Students that are fully online, no hybrid or traditional classes, are able to purchase a one day parking pass for $5.00. You can purchase up to five passes a semester. If you need to park on campus more than five days in a semester you will receive a credit for the money spent on one day passes and you will have to purchase a permit. You are able to purchase a second unscratched pass for a future date in the semester.
Student Resources
What are the UAH Online Learning Communication Tools?
To log into the UAH campus-wide email, web calendar, and other tools, available through Google, see the OIT Google Apps page.
For additional assistance, review the Gmail help sheet on setting up your UAH Gmail account, which includes information on forwarding your new UAH Gmail account to another address.
How do I Access the Online Learning Library Assistance?
OL students have full access to the UAH M. Louis Salmon Library. Contact our Online Learning Liaison and Instructional & Reference Librarian:
Mr. Doug Boulden
Web Services Reference Assistant
Salmon Library, Room 119
256.824.6529
doug.bolden@uah.edu
How do I Purchase Online Learning Textbooks?
Each OL student is responsible for obtaining all required textbooks for OL classes. All textbooks for OL courses (as well as traditional courses) offered at UAH may be ordered through the UAH Bookstore.
Contact your instructor for information pertaining to required textbooks, if you are unable to locate this information from the UAH Bookstore.
Student Evaluation & Complaints
What are the OL Student Evaluations & Complaint Procedures?
At the end of each semester, please take a few moments to evaluate the OL course that you have completed through UAH by completing the OL Student Experiences Survey. A link to this survey will be included in an email sent out to OL students towards the end of the semester. You should complete one survey per course, per term. Thank you for your feedback! We look forward to hearing your suggestions.
Note: The OL Student Experiences Survey is anonymous. If you would like to be contacted after the survey, please add your name and email address in the additional comments field of the survey form. If you have not had the opportunity to complete the Online Student Experiences Survey and would like to do so, please contact the OL Office.
What are the OL Student Complaint Procedures
Students who have a grievance regarding courses or programs being completed through Online Learning are encouraged to address such concerns first informally, as guided by the UAH Student Handbook. Informal procedures encourage students to seek resolutions by discussing their complaints informally with the relevant faculty or staff member who is most associated with the matter. A student who is uncertain about how to seek informal resolution of a concern is encouraged to seek advice from the Online Learning Department. Formal complaints to the Director should be submitted in writing to Dr. Kendra Minor at kendra.minor@uah.edu, and should include all course identification information and specifics of the complaint. Students will receive a response within 3 business working days on these complaints.
Handbook & Academic Calendar
Where can I access the UAH Student Handbook?
The UAH Student Handbook includes the Student Code of Conduct, which lists the student rights and responsibilities, types of misconduct, procedures for disciplinary proceedings, and sanctions.
View the UAH Student Handbook, or it may be downloaded.
Where can I access the UAH Academic Calendar?
View the UAH Academic Calendar.
