The LeTourneau Online MBA and Online MBA in Educational Leadershp are designed to give students the ultimate advantage of flexibility—taking classes from the comfort of your home. With the online MBA program, classes start every two to three months and the Online MBA in Educational Leadership classes start every four to five months. The curriculum design follows a weekly format, but you choose when and where you want to go to class. Our program enables our students to earn their degree without setting foot on campus.

The difference in online learning and traditional face-to-face instruction is the distance between you, the students and the instructor. Since classes are held in a virtual classroom you, students are required to have the technology and skills necessary to succeed as an online graduate student.

To determine if you have the technology and the skills necessary for online learning you will need to review the system requirements for the program as well as the “Are you ready for online learning?” questionnaire.

Now, take a Test Drive and see what The LeTourneau Online MBA or Online MBA in Educational Leadership can do for you. Click the Student Login button to enter the online classroom known as Blackboard. In the Login Box, key in the word “testdrive” as the Username and Password. Once you are logged in, click the course link titled: “ MBA_Testdrive: Are you ready for a Test Drive? ”

Are You Ready For Online Learning?
You will find that online learning is both challenging and rewarding in providing you with an educational experience that is equal to the quality found in a traditional face-to-face (f2f) setting. Taking an online course requires the use of different learning skills than those used in an f2f course. To be successful as an online student, you should:

•  Have access to a computer . You must have access to a computer with Internet capabilities and a printer. The recommended computer and software requirements for online courses is available at: http://online.letu.edu/login/requirements.html.

•  Be comfortable using a computer . You do not have to be a computer expert to take an online course, but you do need to have some basic computer skills. You must know how to:

•  Access the Internet, e-mail, and the World Wide Web

•  Run common computer applications including word processing, and any additional specific program which may be necessary for completion of the course

•  Create, save, and manage files on the computer

•  Download and install software on the computer

•  Check for computer viruses and clean these from the computer

•  Send and receive e-mail messages

•  Copy & Paste text from a word processor into an e-mail message

•  Attach a file into an e-mail message

•  Receive a file attachment from an incoming e-mail message

•  Thoroughly search the Internet for information

•  Be comfortable at written communication . An online course may have several audio and visual components but a majority of communication is through writing. You will be writing quickly and often. If you feel uncomfortable expressing yourself in writing, work on improving these skills either as part of your online course experience or through online university writing labs and writing centers such as LeTourneau University 's Writing Center at: http://owlet.letu.edu/

•  Be a self-disciplined, self-motivated student . Online learning provides greater flexibility in when and where you learn, but you must stay disciplined and motivated to meet the course requirements. If you need the structure of an f2f setting to motivate you to complete assignments and course work on time, then online learning may not be the best learning method for you.

•  Know your learning style and be willing to adapt . Online learning is different and will require you to develop a learning strategy that will help you succeed. To learn more about learning styles and possible learning strategies visit the web site VARK: A Guide to Learning Styles at: http://www.vark-learn.com.

•  Speak up . In a f2f setting an instructor would use visual clues (looks of confusion, boredom, frustration) to determine if students understand the material. In an online course the instructor cannot see you so if you are having problems send the instructor an email or place a phone call. If you are experiencing problems with the course then communicate this to your instructor immediately.

If you are experiencing technical problems (i.e. problems with your computer, password, Internet connection, accessing the course site), technical support staff is available to assist you. Tech Support can be reached at TechSupport@letu.edu or 903-233-3500 and additional resources are available at: http://online.letu.edu .

•  Manage your time . An online course takes time to complete just like a f2f course. Some students have the misconception that an online course is easier than a f2f course since you are not in a “physical classroom”, but this is far from reality. Usually an online course will require 9 to 15 hours a week, if not more, to complete assignments, participate in discussions and complete required reading and research. You must be able to manage your schedule and provide enough time to complete assignments by developing a daily routine of logging in and going to class.

•  Manage your location . Find a place, usually in your home, that you can devote to study and work on your course. This will allow you to “shut out the world” and work and study in peace. When you share your location of study in a bedroom or at the dining room table, sleeping or eating may take priority over studying.

•  Manage your course . Online learning takes work so learn to manage the course so you can receive the most out of it. Plan to login everyday to participate in course discussions and to “keep up” with assignments and due dates. Also, keep a “hard” and “digital copy” of key documents such as course syllabus, assignments, important communications, grades, and other materials that reflect your work and progression through an online course. Keep a copy as a file on your computer hard drive (digital copy) as well as a printed copy in a binder or file folder (hard copy) so you have a record of your course for future reference.

•  Be realistic . This is a college level course so a high level of work is required, but just as important is your attitude as a student. Be willing to embrace this learning experience as an opportunity for you to learn and grow. Technology will fail; deadlines will loom on the horizon, pressures from the various areas of your life will be there but you can do this and succeed at the same time. Just remember The 4”P's” Of Online Learning :

•  Plan – Plan your time, your location, and you're learning strategy.

•  Participate – Participate daily in discussions, studying, and required reading.

•  Pace – Pace yourself so you have adequate time to complete assignments and exams.

•  Prepare – Prepare before the course begins to have all necessary learning materials on hand such as textbooks, CD-ROMs, course guides, etc.

If any of the items listed above are not “You” as a student then you may need to reconsider if Distance Learning is the best method for you.