NJIT Online courses are structured similarly to our in-person classes. They are taught by the same expert faculty and include assigned instructional materials, such as readings or lecture videos. As part of their coursework, students can expect to engage in discussions, complete assignments, participate in projects and take exams.
NJIT Online courses take place in the Canvas learning management system. Nearly all courses follow an asynchronous format. This is where you will access lessons, participate in discussion forums, upload assignments, take tests and quizzes, and more. However, due to the nature of the content, certain courses will take place synchronously, meaning students and instructors interact in real time via zoom.
While deadlines tend to be scheduled weekly, some courses may require participation in live online discussions or events, and group work may require meetings with classmates outside of the course.
Students need to have both computer and internet access. In some cases, an instructor may use proctoring for their online course in which case a computer with a microphone and webcam is required.
Students can expect access to their course by the first day of classes as listed in the NJIT Academic Calendar. Unless noted otherwise, online courses use the same academic calendar as NJIT on-campus courses.
At a minimum, NJIT Online students should know how to send and receive email, attach a file to an email, and use a web browser and word processor. As a technical school, many of our courses and programs will require additional technical and computer skills to meet course requirements. Please check with your program advisor or course instructor with any concerns.
Asynchronous learning gives students the flexibility to access course materials, lectures, and assignments when it works best for them during the week. While you can choose when to study, you’ll still need to follow a weekly schedule and meet deadlines for assignments and activities. This way, you have both the freedom to plan your time and the structure to stay on track. Learn more about the benefits of asynchronous learning.
Online courses have the same outcomes as on-campus courses. There is no difference between the difficulty of an online course and a face-to-face course.
Instructors may deploy exams in Canvas using the quiz tool. For academic integrity purposes, an instructor may use one of three methods:
ProctorU Live+ - a live proctoring service that works by connecting you to a proctor who will watch (and listen to) you live, via webcam, while you take your exam online.
ProctorU Record+ - an automated proctoring solution that uses Artificial Intelligence during the exam. Both you and your screen are recorded throughout the duration of the exam, followed by a full review from a ProctorU proctor. The proctor then sends an incident report to the instructor if any potential academic integrity violations occur.
Respondus LockDown Browser and Monitor - an automated proctoring solution that prevents access to external resources during exams while using a webcam to record students throughout the exam session.
All of these services require that the student has a functioning webcam while taking the exam.
Online courses are not for everyone. Students taking an online course must be self-motivated, good time managers, and capable of working independently.
Regular participation in an online course is essential and expected. Students are required to actively engage with their instructor and classmates in the online environment. This participation may include contributing to discussion forums, collaborating on group projects, delivering presentations, and completing other interactive activities that foster engagement and learning. Students should plan to participate consistently, typically on a weekly basis, as part of their coursework.
