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
Fall 2011
| Key Date | PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
Sept 15 | Sept 15 | Sept 15 |
| Registration Ends: | Sept 23 | Sept 22 | Sept 23 |
| First Day of Class: | Sept 22 | Sept 22 | Sept 21 |
| Last Day for 100% Refund: | Sept 27 | Sept 27 | Sept 27 |
| Last Day for 50% Refund: | Oct 10 | Oct 10 | Oct 10 |
| Last Day to Withdraw ("W" on transcript): |
Nov 9 | Nov 9 | Nov 9 |
| Last Day of Instruction | Nov 30 | Nov 30 | Dec 6 |
| Last Day of Access to the Online Classroom: |
Dec 7 at 11:59 PM |
Dec 7 at 11:59 PM | Dec 7 at 11:59 PM |
Winter 2012
| Key Date | PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
Jan 5 | Dec 29 | Jan 5 |
| Registration Ends: | Jan 13 - Noon | Jan 5 | Jan 23 |
| First Day of Class: | Jan 12 | Jan 5 | Jan 9 |
| Last Day for 100% Refund: | Jan 13 | Jan 11 | Jan 13 |
| Last Day for 50% Refund: | Jan 27 | Jan 24 | Jan 27 |
| Last Day to Withdraw ("W" on transcript): |
Feb 23 | Feb 23 | Feb 23 |
| Last Day of Instruction | March 21 | March 14 | March 20 |
| Last Day of Access to the Online Classroom: |
March 28 at 11:59 PM |
March 21 at 11:59 PM |
March 28 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
