eLearning - PCOL, WAOL, and Hybrid Courses
These courses are designed to replicate as closely as possible the classroom experience while still allowing you the freedom to learn wherever and whenever is most convenient for you. Pierce College Online (PCOL) and WashingtonOnline (WAOL) courses are as demanding as traditional, classroom-based courses and you should be prepared to invest the same amount of time into completing them.
You should plan to be online five out of seven days per week, for a total of roughly 15 hours per week for each course. During this time, you will participate in threaded discussions online, submit assignments electronically, and visit various websites and report back what you learn.
Before your class
- Secure an Internet connection. Most students use their home Internet connections, but others choose to do their learning at work or in the campus computer labs. Wherever you choose to study, a reliable Internet connection is required. (Remember, if you're choosing to study online at a library, Internet café, the home of a friend or relative, or other site, there may be restrictions on your ability to download materials. Check with the owners of those sites before registering for an online course.)
- Review the login procedures and practice logging in before your courses start. Also, be sure to enter your email address in the "Editing Personal Information" section.
- Purchase your textbooks. WAOL students will need to go through the WAOL website to purchase their textbooks. PCOL students can purchase them in person at the bookstores at Pierce Fort Steilacoom and Pierce Puyallup or online from the bookstores' website.
- Review the key dates to ensure you're starting your courses on time. Then, once your classroom opens, be sure to check in and explore. You can do this by finding the "Quick Start Guide" in your online classroom (on the left side of the screen, click the button marked by a question mark. Also, for all students using the online classroom system are encouraged to take the Week Zero Tutorial available on the WAOL website.
Start your class
- Once your classes begin, login and look for a welcome message from your instructor. This will list all of your further instructions.
- Experiment the first week and be patient. Most technical glitches occur during this time, and it happens to almost everyone. This is also a great time to make friends or organize a study group.
- Classes run from Thursdays through Wednesdays for 10 weeks. Your instructor will tell you when assignments are due.
- If you're having trouble, speak up early. If you cannot continue a course or you decide not to start, notify the Registration office immediately. You must officially withdraw from all courses.
After your class
- After the quarter ends, you can check your grade at Student Online Services. Click on the "Transcripts" tab to find your grade. Note: You will need to enter your student ID number and PIN. Grades often aren't available immediately after the quarter ends, so keep checking back.
- Complete a course evaluation. This is required of all eLearning students in all eLearning classes.
Key Dates
Spring 2012
| Key Date | PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
March 29 | March 22 | March 29 |
| Registration Ends: | April 6 - Noon | March 29 | April 13 |
| First Day of Class: | April 5 | March 29 | April 2 |
| Last Day for 100% Refund: | April 6 | April 4 | April 6 |
| Last Day for 50% Refund: | April 20 | April 17 | April 20 |
| Last Day to Withdraw ("W" on transcript): |
May 17 | May 17 | May 17 |
| Last Day of Instruction | June 13 | June 6 | June 12 |
| Last Day of Access to the Online Classroom: |
June 20 | June 13 | June 20 |
Summer 2012
| Key Date | PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
June 21 | June 28 | June 21 |
| Registration Ends: | June 29 -Noon | July 5 | July 10 |
| First Day of Class: | June 28 | July 5 | June 25 |
Last Day for 100% Refund: First 4 week session |
June 26 |
June 26 | June 26 |
| Last Day for 100% Refund: 8 week session | June 27 | June 27 | June 27 |
| Last Day for 50% Refund: First 4 week session | July 2 | July 2 | |
| Last Day for 50% Refund : 8 week session | July 9 | July 9 | |
| Last Day to Withdraw ("W" on transcript): |
July 10 | July 10 | July 10 |
| Last Day of Instruction | Aug 22 | Aug 29 | Aug 21 |
| Last Day of Access to the Online Classroom: |
Aug 29 at 11:59 PM | Sept 5 at 11:59 PM | Aug 29 at 11:59 PM |
Fall 2012
| Key Date | PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
Sept 20 | Sept 20 | |
| Registration Ends: | Sept 28 - Noon | Oct 5 | |
| First Day of Class: | Sept 27 | Sept 24 | |
| Last Day for 100% Refund: | Sept 28 | Sept 28 | |
| Last Day for 50% Refund: | Oct 12 | Oct 12 | |
| Last Day to Withdraw ("W" on transcript): |
Nov 13 | Nov 13 | |
| Last Day of Instruction | Dec 12 | Dec 7 | |
| Last Day of Access to the Online Classroom: |
Dec 19 at 11:59 PM | Dec 19 at 11:59 PM |
Contact eLearning
distedu@pierce.ctc.edu
Voice: (253) 964-6244
Voice (Toll Free): (877) 353-6763
Edward Bachmann
Director of eLearning
(253) 964-6377
Mary Davis
Program Support Supervisor
(253) 964-6244
Earl Sallade
Instructional and Tech Support
(253) 912-3768
Tony Grace
Retention Specialist
(253) 912-3778
