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Registering for W131 Online

Please read this page before registering. Do not register for the online class if you are unable to attend the required orientation meeting (see class information in OneStart).

How is the virtual W131 classroom similar to a traditional W131 classroom?

When you enroll in an online section of W131, you and your classmates will meet the same goals and experience the same teaching and learning practices as students in every other W131 classroom except that your experience will take place in a virtual classroom. Just as other students in W131 work in writing groups, spend much of their classroom time in collaborative activities, and share their writing with others, you will use the features of Oncourse to participate in these same activities in an online section of W131. Visit the W131 Course Overview page for information about the W131 curriculum.

How is the virtual W131 classroom different from a traditional W131 classroom?

You will not have to drive to campus for this class.

Some online sections require in-person orientation meetings.  This information is available when registering for the course.

You will produce a greater voume of writing in an online class.

In a virtual classroom, all communication between you and your classmates and between you and your instructor will be written communication rather than a combination of verbal and written exchanges. Every week you will post to discussion forums. 

You will have a more flexible schedule.

In a virtual classroom, you and your group members will collaborate and respond to one anothers’ papers using Oncourse.

Your comfort level in the classroom may be enhanced, and you will have an opportunity to deepen your thinking.

In a virtual classroom, you will have more time for reflection as you think about and respond to the ideas and questions that come up in class discussion since you will write and post your responses rather than responding on the spot.

What qualifies a student for W131 online?

• An understanding that W131 online will take at least as much time and energy as a traditional section of W131; in fact, because you will produce more writing and are likely to read most of your classmates’ contributions to class discussions, you may find that the course takes more time than a traditional section. You must be prepared for a time-consuming class.
• Familiarity with the delivery system for W131 online, Oncourse. 
• Easy access to a networked computer capable of accessing Oncourse. If you intend to use a computer at your place of employment, you must have access at the meeting time your group chooses.
• Basic computer skills (creating, formating, and saving a text document, sending and receiving mail with attachment, updating software as necessary, visiting an identified web site and accessing Oncourse).
• An ability to attend the face-to-face meeting of your class during the first week of classes. Your instructor will give you information about that meeting when you contact her to receive authorization to register for the course. Attendance is essential: during that meeting, you and your classmates will form writing groups and make other decisions that will have a significant effect upon your participation and success in the course.
• An understanding of your own ability to meet deadlines and responsibilities without the motivation provided by the traditional classroom and the opportunity to meet and talk face-to-face with your teacher and your classmates every week. Students who struggle with writing or self-motivation are strongly encouraged to seek face-to face instruction.

How to register for the online class:

• After a careful reading of the material on this page, you may register for W131 online if you are willing to accept the responsibilities that accompany your enrollment.
• Discuss your registration for W131 with an advisor, who may advise you to consider W130-Stretch or W140. W130/W131 Stretch is a two semester (6 credit) combination that fulfills the W131 requirement. W140 is the honors equivalent of W131.
• Register for the online W131 class as you would for any class. The online sections are clearly labeled on the schedule of courses. 
• Contact Vicki Hale, secretary of the writing program, if you have questions about registering for this class (274-3824, vhale@iupui.edu).

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