Remote Learning
for Students
Frequently Asked Questions
Online learning
Q. Where will my online learning take place?
A. Many of you will already be familiar with learning online
through using GCU Learn. This is our virtual learning
environment using the Blackboard platform : GCU Learn
Q. How will I know when to ensure I am online?
A. Students should stick to the timetable they have been
issued for Trimester B, this will ensure there are no module
clashes. Module Tutors will endeavour to use these these
slots to deliver teaching or facilitate a discussion forum or
direct students learning etc Module tutors will also be able
to respond to student questions in these slots or through
the discussion board, by email or via other technologies.
Q. How will my tutor keep in touch and how will I get
information about my module (s)?
A. The key ways that your lecturers will use GCU Learn to
offer online learning will be through the module GCU Learn
site. Here you can find:
ā¢ Announcements
ā¢ Module handbooks
ā¢ Learning materials
ā¢ Assignment Guidance
ā¢ Discussion Board and Use of Collaborate Ultra
Check the module announcements every day. Your module
team will post information and guidance here.
Q. How can I get information on how to use GCU Learn?
A. There are many resources to support you to learn online
for those new to learning in this way. The key source of
information on how to make the most of learning online is
available to you by clicking on the Student Help tab when
you log into GCU Learn.
Q. What if I canāt engage with my modules over the
remainder of the teaching period in trimester B
A. Module teams are developing a āCatch upā plan to support
students who for whatever reason been unable to engage
over the next 4 weeks. These plans will be enacted when
the University Campus is open again. Information on ācatch
upā will be provided by module teams and will be developed
locally to meet programme and module specific needs.
Q. What is a Discussion Board?
A. A Discussion Board is an area where you can post your
ideas and share these with others. You can post comments
in response to others, and this creates an opportunity for
discussion to take place.
Q. What is Collaborate Ultra?
A. Your lecturer may invite you to join an online group
discussion, or to view a recorded version of a planned
lecture. This will probably use Collaborate Ultra as the tool
on GCU Learn. Collaborate Ultra works best using the
Chrome browser so download this if you do not already
use this. If you are unfamiliar with Collaborate Ultra full
guidance is provided on the Student Help Tab on GCU
Learn. (Your lecturers may voiceovers to Powerpoint slides,
so please ensure you have your device sound switched on.)
Q. Iām new to Online Learning, can you give me some
practical tips to prepare myself?
A. 1. Be patient: Your lecturers have been asked to make
their teaching available to you online at the last minute.
The best online learning takes time to develop. Please
be patient with yourself and them if things donāt go right
for you the first time. Ask for help.
2. Embrace online: Online learning will become more and
more common in the future, so this is a great chance for
you to develop some skills to help you succeed.
3. Develop your communication skills: You will
communicate in different ways on various online
formats (email, discussion boards, social media, online
seminars). Be professional and appropriate, but donāt be
afraid to project your personality.
4. What if I have a technical issue? Develop your initiative
and resilience. Donāt give up if you hit a technical issue.
For example, if your reading link is broken, maybe you
can search for the journal article yourself by using the
GCU library search.
5. Stick to a routine: There are many time management
techniques, so find one which works for you. There will
likely be daily and weekly tasks for you to do plus longer
term targets like deadlines. Plan a daily, weekly and
monthly schedule to manage these different timescales.
6. Get connected: Be proactive with communicating with
your course mates. Set up course Whatsapp groups
or Microsoft Teams group (or another platform if you
prefer) for offline chatting and engagement. Form small
virtual study or reading groups and work through online
materials together.
7. Find somewhere quiet to work. Yes, you can work from
bed but this might not be the most comfortable! Make
sure you have somewhere peaceful to work, try and
use a workspace like a desk or table, and cut down on
external and online distractions.
8. Use the right channels to solve your problems: This will
be signposted for you in your course, so contacting the
correct person will help you get your problem solved
more quickly.
