LCC Online Frequently Asked Questions

Are online classes harder than face-to-face classes?

What is the difference between ANGEL and WAOL?

Are there assignment due dates, or can I work on things when I want?

How accessible are online instructors?

How do I order textbooks?

What if I get into the class and experience technical difficulties?

How do I get financial aid verification?

How do I get help with technical problems?

How do I get information about withdrawal or course add/drop procedures and other registration information?

How do I get help with assignments, course content, or other course-related questions?

How do I get help with questions not covered here?

Q: Are online classes harder than face-to-face classes?
A: Online classes cover the exact same material that face-to-face classes do, but due to the method of delivery it sometimes takes students longer to cover the material. For example, one page of text can be delivered as a lecture in about a minute, but it takes different people different lengths of time to read one page of text. So if a 50-minute lecture class covers about 50 pages of material, someone reading this text can take between 100 minutes (at 2 minutes a page reading) to 250 minutes at (5 minutes a page reading).

Q: What is the difference between ANGEL and WAOL?
A: WAOL, or Washington Online courses are part of a statewide system used by all the community and technical colleges in the state. When you enroll in a WAOL course at Lower Columbia College you go to WAOL and login to your Blackboard Classrom to enter your online course space. (Blackboard is the online learning management system used by WAOL.) After the quarter is over your instructor enters a grade that appears on your Lower Columbia College transcript.

ANGEL is Lower Columbia College’s learning management system and is used for most online classes that are not WAOL courses. For assistance with using ANGEL contact the . You may also view the online Video Orientation (approximately 20 minutes long).

Q: Are there assignment due dates, or can I work on things when I want?
A: Each online instructor structures their classroom differently, but most have assignment due dates. These dates are given to you at the beginning of class so that you can structure your time to meet the deadlines. This allows you flexibility in your schedule but also keeps you on track to complete the class by the end of the quarter. All for-credit online courses are quarterly.

Q: How accessible are online instructors?
A: Most online classes are taught by Lower Columbia College faculty but WAOL courses are taught by instructors from various colleges around the state. All instructors must put their contact information and schedule of availability in the syllabus of their online class. If you have problems accessing your instructor, contact the .

Q: How do I order textbooks?
A: You may purchase your books from the Lower Columbia College Bookstore or the WAOL online bookstore.

Q: What if I get into the class and experience technical difficulties?
A: If you are trying to figure out if you are comfortable enough skill-wise to take an online class, consider taking the Are You Ready online quiz, or go through the Week Zero Demo Course in ANGEL. To do this go to ANGEL and log in with username 'weekzero' and password 'demo'. If you feel very comfortable with the demo course, you should do fine.

If you run into computer technical difficulties, you can use a computer in the Lower Columbia College Learning Commons, the LCC computer labs or any Internet-connected computer at your local library, grange, Internet cafe, etc.

If the class does not work out, you can drop it by following the regular procedures. Contact the if you need assistance.

Q: How do I get financial aid verification?
A: Login to your Blackboard or ANGEL classroom and print off the "Welcome" page. Attach this page to your financial aid verification form or request that your instructor e-mail , telling her that you have begun the course. Contact the if you need assistance.

Q: How do I get help with technical problems?
A: Contact the . Assistance is available Monday – Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Messages left after hours or on weekends will be responded to as quickly as possible. For help with a WAOL course, go to the WAOL Help Desk for 24-hour per day technical support.

Q: How do I get information about withdrawal or course add/drop procedures and other registration information?
A: Contact the or call the Entry Center at 360.442.2311.

Q: How do I get help with assignments, course content, or other course-related questions?
A: Contact your course instructor. Your instructor's email address is in your online classroom. Lower Columbia College also has online writing and math tutoring and assistance available via ANGEL for all students. Log into ANGEL and click on the “Online Writing and Math Tutoring Service” link under Groups

Q: How do I get help with questions not covered here?
Contact the or call 360.442.2520.