Taking Classes Online

Professor: You'll be able to meet with your professor one-on-one during virtual office hours using web conferencing. Your professor will make his or her availability known for email, phone conversations, and office hours at the beginning of the course.

Classmates: You will be able to engage with your classmates via web conferencing, through email, or using collaborative tools of your choice. Often classes have message boards and discussion rooms exclusively for student engagement.

Assignments: Often course assignments are turned in by uploading files or submitting content through the learning management system. Your professors will make the submission guidelines and deadlines clear at the beginning of the term.

Tests: Exams can be administered through our learning management system using a focus-only web blocker. Some exams may require a proctor, which can be arranged through an online proctoring service.

Your Classes

These courses involve real-time instruction, where your class meets virtually at scheduled times—typically through platforms like Zoom. You’re expected to participate during live sessions, creating an experience that feels a lot like a traditional classroom, just online.

Example: You log in at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays to attend a live Zoom class.

You may be able to go back and watch missed lectures, or watch them again to study or understand a point.

Web Conference Courses

These courses offer maximum flexibility. You’ll access materials—like readings, recorded lectures, and discussion boards—on your own time. Some courses may include occasional live check-ins via Zoom.

Example: You watch a recorded lecture on Monday and post to a discussion board by Wednesday.

This format works well if you’re balancing a busy schedule. While there are no set class times, you’ll still follow ODU’s semester schedule, with deadlines for registration and coursework.

Your courses may have a blend of both regular meetings and independent study time. These courses are highly customized by the professor to allow you to have the best learning experience possible for the specific subject.

Certain programs like teaching and nursing require a hands-on training component that can sometimes be completed at a physical location near you. You may even be able to work out a solution for this requirement that involves your current workplace. Your professor or advisor will work with you to find a practical solution that meets the training requirements of your program.

Our Master of Engineering Management (MEM) program is available to military servicemembers via portable media such as DVD or CD-ROM. This option helps our military students continue their education while deployed.

Course content is organized into learning modules with defined learning objectives and assignments to help you plan timely completion and return of course work. Courses must be completed within a specific time frame. For example, engineering management courses by portable media have a 90-day term.

There are no live online class meetings. If needed, you can communicate with faculty, advisors, and support staff using email and/or online discussion boards.

You will need:

A computer capable of playing CD-ROMs or DVDs. You should have administrator permissions to install a video player, if necessary.
A proctor to administer tests and exams.

Procedures for MEM Portable Media Courses