Читать книгу Online Learning For Dummies - Susan Manning - Страница 91

When taking an online course, the Internet is your lifeline to your instructor, peers, and course materials. Therefore, reliable Internet service is essential for your success. Not only do you need a fast, reliable Internet connection at home, but you should also have alternative options, just in case your connection fails.

Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). This is also how most Internet service providers (ISPs) determine cost. The more Mbps you want, the faster your Internet goes — and the more it costs. Before signing a contract with an ISP, make sure the one you choose can deliver the speed and service availability needed to take an online course. Some institutions tell you the minimum upload and download speeds you need in order to connect to their system. Even if you don’t know what these figures mean, you can still ask prospective service providers whether they’re capable of meeting those requirements. Some general speed recommendations based on standard online learning activities include the ones described in this list:

 0–5 Mbps: This speed is good for basic functions like surfing the web and checking email. This is roughly equivalent to 3G cellular service, if you’re using your phone as a hotspot. This is not recommended for online courses that require synchronous communication in real time using video.

 5–50 Mbps: Works pretty well for more complex functions (including video calls) if only one device at a time is accessing the Internet. This is roughly equivalent to 4G/LTE cellular service and can work with many online courses.

 50–100 Mbps: Good for more complex tasks, including streaming video and making video calls while the Internet is being accessed by multiple devices. Though much faster speeds are available, this should be plenty for typical online learners.

It has been our experience that connecting to the Internet using satellite equipment can be problematic. The delay between earth and satellite may cause the system to time out. Sadly, the result is that you can’t log in.

If you live in an area that has limited options for connecting to the Internet and are concerned that the connection speed may not be adequate, you should

 Contact the institution and explain your situation. See whether their technical support staff has any ideas.

 Arrange for a 30-day, money-back trial with any prospective Internet service providers. Then you can test the system without having to a commit to a 1- or 2-year contract before knowing whether it will meet your needs.

Trust us when we tell you that sometimes when an assignment is due, your Internet connection — even one that’s typically reliable — will die. This can be frustrating and keep you from being able to turn in assignments and/or participate in synchronous meetings. Therefore, you must have a backup plan for accessing your course. Some ideas for backups include the use of your phone as a temporary hotspot, your public library, an office, or a nearby coffee shop.