WashingtonOnline (WAOL) is a statewide consortial effort that offers learners the opportunity to earn credits toward an Associate in Arts & Sciences Degree (AAS) by attending classes completely on-line. WAOL classes comparable in content to their campus based counterparts, appearing no differently on transcripts. They are scheduled quarterly with beginning and end dates and have assigned deadlines for assignments, classroom activities, homework, readings, and virtual classroom discussions. They offer flexibility because you don't have to be "in class" at any given time and you can set your own study schedule around personal activities. These "online" courses require specific computer hardware and internet access. A good place to start is with the current View Schedule of Classes for information on quarterly offerings, item numbers to use for registration and related fees. This page will provide a variety of information to clarify what you need to do to take WAOL courses through OC.
Select from the topics below for additional information:
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Orientation to WashingtonOnline Are you new to the concept of "online" learning? The link on the left will take you to a page that gives more details on the nature of WashingtonOnline, what it is like to take an online course, the hardware support required, and some of the limitations as compared to campus based classes. Also be sure to review the general information on Media Player - Channel 7, in particular, the readiness survey. |
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List of Online Courses Of the courses created by the WashingtonOnline statewide consortium,
a select group has been approved by Olympic College discipline faculty
and curricula committees. In addition to those courses, Olympic College
faculty have developed their own courses using the WAOL model and technology
infrastructure. View the listing of Olympic College online offerings
by visiting the link on the left. Any published information about
our course offerings and their availability is dated, as circumstances
change regularly. The official quarterly offerings with associated
item numbers for registration can be found in the Olympic College View
Schedule of Classes (download
link from OC web site) for the current quarter. You may also
review what we've provided to WAOL about our offerings by selecting Olympic
College from the WAOL
"Class Schedule" link.
The most up to date and accurate information can be obtained by calling
Admissions and Records at (360-475-7200 or 800-259-6718, ext.7200).
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Registering for WAOL Courses The general demand for easier registration has resulted in new options at Olympic College which are particularly suited to the needs of online students. Registering from a distance is allowed by Touchtone Registration and Web Registration. Follow the links on the left to explore which one works for you. If you are also taking campus based courses, you can certainly register in person, too. First Significant Point: WAOL courses do not require a registration appointment. You can register the first day OC registration opens for a given quarter. Since students from across the state are also trying to get into the same limited number of course sections at other colleges, your chances of getting into the desired class(es) increases if you register as early as possible. Second Significant Point: To use Web registration for WAOL courses, you must enter the course item number to be sure you are getting the online offering as opposed to a campus based offering. The most up to date source for this information is the View Schedule mailed to every resident of Kitsap and Mason counties. The list on this Web site (above) is the next likely source to check, or you can go to the WAOL web site and view the Olympic College offerings. The first two links assume you have gone through all the steps to get admitted and ready to register. If you are new to Olympic College, please start with the Ten Easy Steps link so you will have all the information needed and steps completed to begin your college career at Olympic College. You should start this process well in advance of the quarter in which you wish to take classes. If you are just taking a single course online from OC (less than 7 credits), follow the Web admissions procedure described on Media Player - Channel 7 Distance Learning @ OC; OC Online Admissions Procedure. |
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After Registration Steps Once you complete your registration, OC submits your name to WAOL for addition to the statewide class roster. About two weeks prior to the start of WAOL classes, they will send you a postcard with instructions for steps you should follow. These steps are available on the WAOL Web site at the "Getting Started" link. Media Services also has a list of steps to follow that is comparable. We used to mail this to OC students, but will now refer students to our web page. Significant Point: Please review the steps on the link to the left as soon as possible after registering! |
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WashingtonOnline and Embanet Links If you are interested in general information about Washington Online or want to take advantage of the specialized information at their site, like book ordering, students services, etc., follow the link on the left. Embanet is the company in Toronto, Canada that provides the servers where the courses are hosted and provides the virtual classroom environment where class interactions take place. Follow the link on the left to find out more about Embanet. |
Washington Online is a growing and dynamic enterprise. It started with 20 courses which made possible earning an Associates degree online. New courses are being developed this coming year with an emphasis on professional/technical programs. In addition, it is anticipated that offerings will be added in the academic transfer arena. A special training program is under rapid development to bring Microsoft Office User Specialist (MOUS) curricula to state residents.
The popularity of distance learning as a means of higher education is challenging Washington college and university leaders to rethink how they offer instructional programs. As the Community and Technical College systems responds to this challenge, they are addressing how to best manage the significant change entailed. A Virtual Education Coordinating Board has been established to look at the many issues and direct future development. WashingtonOnline took the first steps down this new millennium road and will continue to be central to its development and operation in the coming years.
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We have attempted to give you all the information you will need to decide if online courses via WashingtonOnline at Olympic College are what you need, and if so, provide the starting points along the way to the first day of class. If you have unanswered questions or identify other information that would be of help, e-mail us at Media Services or contact us during office hours.
Good luck in your online endeavors!
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