Below are answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ’s) about this online Psychology 100 course.
Online students should read this ENTIRE PAGE.
1. How do I log-in to the course web site?
During the first week of the semester, the course will be made available to students. From the Palomar College main page go to Canvas, the Learning Management System used at Palomar
2. Is there an orientation meeting for this course?
There is a mandatory orientation meeting in the first week of the semester for this course. Please check the Course Notes when you register for dates/times. If you cannot attend the orientation meeting, you are still responsible for logging in to the course the first day, completing the first week’s assignments and taking and passing a course orientation quiz by the second week of the semester.
When you log in to the course, a Course Map is provided to assist orienting you to the way the course will be set up.
If you have never taken an online course, or have taken online courses but are unfamiliar with Canvas, please see the Getting Started with Canvas website
3. Is it possible to crash this course?
The enrollment in this course is limited to those officially registered in the course. Over the course of the registration period, it is common that some students may sign up for courses, then drop (or are administratively dropped for non-payment) even before the class starts, so, if the course is currently “closed,” you should keep checking online so that you can sign up for any space that becomes available.
Being on the waitlist does not guarantee a student enrollment in the course. Students who are not on the waitlist will be enrolled in the course only if space becomes available in the course during the first two weeks of the semester.
If you are unable obtain a spot in the course, you might consider courses at the California Virtual Campus.
4. Are there any on-campus meetings for this course?
As stated above, there is an in-person orientation for the course. Additionally, there is a mandatory in-person exam at the Testing Center on the 3rd floor of the Palomar College Library/Learning Resource Center at the San Marcos campus to ensure the academic integrity of the courses’ online testing.* The mandatory in-person exam is scheduled over the course of several days during approximately in the 7th or 8th week of the semester.
There is also an optional comprehensive exam which is scheduled the last week of the semester.
*NOTE: If there is a significant discrepancy between online chapter quiz and in-person exam performance, students will be required to take their remaining quizzes for the semester at the Testing Center on campus.
5. Are there weekly meetings scheduled at specific times for this course?
This is an asynchronous class. There are no scheduled meetings at certain times as a class online. Course content is made available online for students to flexibly access based on their own schedules. Deadlines and due dates are provided for testing and the submission of assignments.
6. What type of technology is required for this course?
The Learning Management System used in this course will be Canvas. Because you are taking this course in an online format, it is ESSENTIAL that you have regular access to a reliable computer(s) and access to a stable, broadband connection to participate in the discussion forum, submit your assignments, and take your quizzes. Students do have access to computers on campus at the Learning Resource Center, as well as at other computer labs. As a backup, it is recommended that you consider using the Canvas app for your smartphone or mobile device.
For more information, see What tools and computer skills do I need to use Canvas?
7. What books are required for this course?
The required textbook for this course is Psychology in Action, by Karen Huffman. The text is published by Wiley.
The text can be purchased at the Palomar College Bookstore. For more information about the edition used in the course, go to the Bookstore website.
It is very important that you have a copy of the textbook at the start of the semester. There are assignments based on readings in the text that are due the first weeks of the semester.
For those who may have financial difficulties in purchasing the textbook, you have several options:
*There is a Palomar College Student Assistance textbook fund available during the first few weeks of the semester for which you may qualify–see this page for more information
*The National Emergency Library “a temporary collection of books that supports emergency remote teaching, research activities, independent scholarship, and intellectual stimulation while universities, schools, training centers, and libraries are closed” has digitized versions of the older editions of the textbook available for students to borrow (for the nation’s displaced learners who are in quarantine or whose libraries may be closed.)
*You can access an older version of the textbook in the Palomar College Library/Learning Resource Center at the San Marcos Campus.
“the San Marcos Campus Library and the Escondido Center Library have added hundreds of textbooks to its Reserve section thanks to a grant by the President’s Associates. Students may use the textbooks while they study in the Library. Textbooks are listed in the online catalog. If you do not see yours, please drop by or call us (760-744-1150, ext. 2612) to find out if your textbook is available.”
8. What are the first assignments in the course?
• Read carefully the Course syllabus, so you can familiarize yourself with the expectations and pacing of the course, important dates, and general course policies.
• Using the Course Map, explore online and orient yourself to the particular format of this online course. If you have never taken an online course before, read the quick reference guides at the Canvas website for students
• Read and complete the first week’s assignments.
• Within the first week of the semester take the “Course Orientation” quiz and score 80% or better. (The “Course Orientation” quiz may be taken more than once to get the best score.)
• Read the first chapter in your textbook and begin preparing for the first quiz. A study guide with key terms and learning objective is provided for each chapter on which you will be tested.
9. Are online courses right for me?
Since online courses do not have the structure of the traditional classroom, successful online students are those who are self-disciplined, self-motivated and possess good study habits as well as good reading and writing skills. Online courses require just as much of your time and effort as traditional classroom courses.
For a three-unit college level classroom course it is recommended that you devote a minimum of nine hours a week (three hours in the classroom and at least six hours of study time). Most students should be prepared to spend at least 9 hours a week to be successful in this online course. If you cannot find nine hours a week to commit to this course, please reconsider enrolling in this course. The only time you will save by taking this course online is the time spent driving to campus and finding a parking space (which could be considerable!).
It is extremely important that students have RELIABLE Internet access, are comfortable browsing the Internet, and know how to use e-mail and a word-processing program (e.g., Microsoft Word).
Palomar College has excellent online tutorials and technical support to help students become comfortable with the online format. If this is your first online course, it is HIGHLY recommended that you view the student tutorials at the links below:
Academic Technology Resource Center (ATRC) Student Resources
California Community College Online Education Initiative (OEI) Student Readiness Tutorials
Online courses are not for everyone. To read about the advantages and disadvantages of online courses and to determine if you are a good candidate for online classes, please visit this page: Are you ready to be an online student?
If you find that you are not a good candidate for online courses, you should take the time to acquire the skills that would make you more successful online, or reconsider taking the course in an online format at this time.