So you’re new to DeVry? Well, every college can be confusing in the beginning, and that’s especially true for one with an online campus. But hopefully this guide can make your transition much easier.
Classes, Semesters, Sessions
DeVry runs all year long, with three semesters almost entirely back to back. These semesters, however, are further broken down into 8-week sessions. Session A runs the first 8 weeks and Session B runs the second 8 weeks. Most colleges run their classes for 16-week sessions, so DeVry classes are accelerated, however you’re focusing on less classes at a time. For example, if you’re attending full time you’ll most likely take 2 classes per session, instead of 4 at once.
Advisors and Mentors
DeVry has the best support system that I have seen in a college thus far. First and foremost each student is assigned a team of academic advisors to help you schedule classes, plan your degree and just answer your general school-related questions. Aside from that, however, you’ll be assigned a “success coach” which is somebody who works to help you through the more mental and emotional parts of college.
They’ll help you with time management, effective study habits and balancing your school life with your work and personal life. All in all, they’re there to make your college career as stress-free as possible. Each week during your first semester or two you’ll receive a call where you’ll meet with your success coach for 20 minutes. Aside from that, coaches are available through phone and e-mail whenever you may need a little extra support. In addition, they send you neat tips and tricks for each week via e-mail.
Important Links
Now that we have a little background down, you’ll want to know all the handy links.
http://devryonline.net
This is the basic website for general information. You’ll only really use this when you need the phone numbers for your academic advisors or student finance, but it’s helpful none-the-less. Also includes information on career services and needed software.
http://my.devry.edu
You’ll be using this one quite a bit. It’s what they call your “student portal” that contains your current academic status, degree plan, financial account and all that good stuff. Also contains a link to the help desk, info on setting up your student e-mail account and a link to the library.
http://library.devry.edu
Speaking of libraries, this website is amazing. Try to get yourself off the habit of googling information for all your papers and give this baby a try! From here you can access a nearly unlimited amount of articles, reports and more! It’s very easy to use and search, and even includes the proper documentation for citing it in your papers.
http://devryu.net
This is the website you’ll be using the most. After logging in, you’ll be brought to a page that has a message center at the top for any useful bits of information the school needs you to know, and at the bottom a link to your classes.
Getting the Needed Software
Don’t want to go spend $200 on a copy of Microsoft Office? No problem! Simply go to devryonline.net and click on the link for student software. Login from there and you’ll be brought to a site that lets you buy all the software you need. The only thing you pay for is the shipping – everything else is free! Try to get ahold of this before your classes start.
Aside from that, most other software you need will be provided either through online servers (programming classes, for example, use the Microsoft VB.NET software on an online server rather than buying or downloading it to your computer). If you need to purchase software, you’ll be notified ahead of time and can then look to buy it from the school’s preferred academic website, http://www.journeyed.com or anywhere else you prefer.
Attending Class
Attending class is simple, and doesn’t take much to get used to. Login to http://devryu.net and click on the appropriate class on the bottom of the page. From there, you’ll see a frame on the left with links for each week, a menu along the top with things like “Dropbox” and “Gradebook” and a frame below that which contains a welcome message.
Navigating is simple. Click on the appropriate week (weeks start on Sundays, and you cannot access them before then) and a menu will appear below that week. This menu may contain a number of things. Lets go over some of the things you may see:
Objective: Almost always there, this page contains the “TCO’s” or “Terminal Course Objectives” applicable to that week. It’s really just a summarized version of what the teach aims to teach you.
Assignments: This page tells you everything you’ll need to do that week. You can access your reading from there by clicking on the link, or from “TheHUB” located above the Week1 heading. It will also tell you any additional assignments, such as discussions and quizzes and essays that maybe be due.
Lecture: Just as it sounds. A written lecture that students are expected to read each week.
Live Lecture: If your course offers this, you’re lucky! It’s a great feature. Live Lecture is an actual live lecture – held through elluminate.com. Lectures are held at certain times each week. When you connect to the lecture, your teacher can use a virtual “chalkboard”, stream video and audio, post pictures, etc. You can also virtually raise your hand, ask questions, speak with your professor and students and use the virtual chalkboard. A great learning experience that I highly encourage.
Discussion: Nearly every class requires you to post to two seperate discussions each week. Each discussion must be posted to a minimum of three times, and the first post must be before the Wednesday of that week. Your classes may have different requirements, so always double check first, but this tends to be the standard. These discussions are usually the easiest way to get points for the week, and are also a really great learning experience, so don’t skip out!
Quiz: Just as it sounds. Most classes will have you take your quizzes right there. Some quizzes can be taken once, others multiple times. All quizzes, except the final exam (which ends on Thursday of Week 8) must be completed by Sunday of the current week. More directions for the quizzes appear before you take it, so make sure to read them over carefully your first few times.
iLabs and Math courses
Some courses may contain a lab. Labs are sometimes contained in the course, and other times link off-site. Each class is different so make sure to read all appropriate information on the labs early in the week in case you have questions for the professor.
Math courses are self-guided, meaning you can do them as fast as you like. You can also do them slower, however professors can take of points for doing so if they desire. The course will be guided by weeks,but you can speed ahead if you so desire. Discussions are normally optional, but helpful none-the-less.
The Top Menu (Dropbox, Gradebook, Doc Sharing, Etc)
Along the top of the window you’ll see a row that has things like “Dropbox”, “Gradebook”, and “Doc Sharing”. Let’s take a look at what these things do, shall we?
Gradebook: Shows your grades for each week, along with instructor comments for your submitted assignments.
E-mail: Used to e-mail your professor as well as your classmates. Note that e-mail sent through the online classroom does not contain your name or e-mail address, so be sure to sign it with such.
Chat: Used to chat with your fellow students or professor. Especially helpful to schedule meetings during group work.
Doc Sharing: A place where your professor posts things that may be of interest to you. Here you’ll probably find example assignments, study guides and etcetera.
Dropbox: This is very important, as it’s where you’ll submit your assignments to your professor. Click “submit assignment” and it’s pretty self-explanatory from there.
Webliography: A place where you, your classmates or your professor can post relevant websites to help with various assignments and lectures.
In Conclusion
The DeVry online classroom is amazing, and very easy to get used to. Even if you do have trouble, there’s always somebody willing to help. Good luck!
