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 2013
Key Date |
PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
March 28 |
March 21 |
March 28 |
Registration Ends: |
April 5 - Noon |
March 28 |
April 12 |
First Day of Class: |
April 4 |
March 28 |
April 1 |
Last Day for 100% Refund: |
April 5 |
April 3 |
April 5 |
Last Day for 50% Refund: |
April 19 |
April 16 |
April 19 |
Last Day to Withdraw |
May 16 |
May 16 |
May 16 |
Last Day of Instruction |
June 12 |
June 5 |
June 11 |
Last Day of Access |
June 19 at 11:59 PM |
June 12 at |
June 19 at 11:59 PM |
Summer 2013
Key Date |
PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
First Day of Access |
June 20 |
June 24 |
June 20 |
Registration Ends: |
June 28 |
July 1 |
June 26 |
First Day of Class: |
June 27 |
July 1 |
June 24 |
Last Day for 100% Refund |
June 27 |
July 5 |
June 26 |
Last Day for 50% Refund |
July 8 |
July 15 |
July 8 |
Last Day to Withdraw |
July 30 |
July 30 |
July 30 |
Last Day of Instruction |
Aug 21 |
Aug 23 |
Aug 20 |
Last Day of Access |
Aug 28 at 11:59 PM |
Aug 30 at 11:59 PM |
Aug 28 at 11:59 PM |
Fall 2013
Key Date |
PCOL |
WAOL |
Hybrid |
First Day of Access to the Online Classroom: Week Zero |
Sept 16 |
Sept 19 |
Sept 16 |
Registration Ends: |
Sept 25 |
Sept 26 |
Sept 25 |
First Day of Class: |
Sept 23 |
Sept 26 |
Sept 23 |
Last Day for 100% Refund: |
Sept 27 |
Sept 27 |
Sept 27 |
Last Day for 50% Refund: |
Oct 11 |
Oct 11 |
Oct 11 |
Last Day to Withdraw |
Nov 12 |
Nov 12 |
Nov 12 |
Last Day of Instruction |
Dec 6 |
Dec 4 |
Dec 6 |
Last Day of Access |
Dec 13 at 11:59 PM |
Dec 11 at |
Dec 13 at 11:59 PM |
Contact eLearning
eLearning Office
Voice: (253) 964-6244
Voice (Toll Free): (877) 353-6763
Mary Davis
Program Support Supervisor
(253) 964-6244
Earl Sallade
Instructional and Tech Support
(253) 912-3768
Tony Grace
Retention Specialist
(253) 912-3778
Edward Bachmann
Director of eLearning
(253) 964-6377
