Online course attendance points

The requirement for online attendance in NBC's virtual classrooms is to be present for at least 5 out of 7 days each week.
Attendance is not merely logging in. It requires active participation, such as submitting an assignment or a response post.
Attendance is tracked by looking at the dates of entries in Scribe. Meeting the attendance criteria is determined by Scribe's date stamps on assignments and posts.

What does "5 out of 7" mean in this class

You are expected to "attend" the virtual classroom five out of the seven days of each week. You attend by following these two steps:

Logging on to Scribe and reading what other students have written since you were last there
Then, submit either a response post or an assignment. Note: Just logging on and reading posts by other people does not count as being "present." To be present, you must submit something.

The nature of the online education delivery system makes consistent participation absolutely necessary. Attendance requirements will be strictly observed.

So, how do we take roll? Well, online attendance is measured by recording the date of each entry you make to Scribe -- whether it be a response to one of the assignments, a comment on the work of another, or a question to the group or to the professor. We have no easy way of knowing if you sign on unless you make an entry into the meeting (i.e., submit an assignment or send some message/note as part of your class participation). To judge whether you have met the criteria of being in Scribe "5 of 7 days," we use Scribe's date stamp on your assignment and discussion board posts.

An absence does not excuse the student from the responsibility of participating, doing assigned work, and/or testing. Nazarene Bible College policy is that students may be dropped for poor attendance after they have accumulated two weeks of absences.

For more on how late-night posts are counted, see the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page.

-- Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu

What kind of online student are you? Do others think of you as Busy or Wordy or Disconnected Dan? Do you sometimes come off to others as Oblivious or Trite-ly or even End-times Edith? [ more ]

Afterword: Being "Present" in an Online Class

Six Good Reasons Why Attendance in an Online Class Helps You

Compliance with Requirements: NBC, like many educational institutions, has attendance policies. Failing to meet these requirements will result in grading penalties.
Engagement and Participation: Regular attendance usually means you are engaged in class discussions and assignments. It keeps you connected with the course content. It can even give you a sense of belonging to the learning community.
Accountability: Attendance requirements hold you accountable. Knowing that your presence is being monitored can help you stay committed to the course and get assignments completed on time.
Feedback and Support: "Attending" class means you can get quick feedback from the instructor. This immediate support can increase your understanding of the subject matter. It will help in clearing up things that are hazy or confusing.
Building Relationships: Regular attendance provides opportunities for you to interact with your peers. That camaraderie can create a supportive network for you. These connections can lead to learning experiences that might not otherwise happen.
Retention of Material: Consistent attendance increases the likelihood that you will retain course material. Sporadic attendance can cause in gaps in your understanding. That will make it challenging for you to comprehend some concepts.

While attendance in an online class may not always be as straightforward to monitor like it is in traditional face-to-face settings, it nonetheless is an important element in promoting student engagement and success in learning outcomes.

Acrostic: Attendance -- Why It is a Gopod Thing

A – Active participation enhances learning.
T – Timely exposure to new concepts and ideas.
T – Thorough understanding through consistent practice.
E – Engages you in discussions and group activities.
N – Nurtures discipline and responsibility.
D – Develops stronger connections with instructors and peers.
A – Access to important announcements and resources.
N – Noticeable improvement in academic performance.
C – Consistent attendance fosters better retention of material.
E – Enhances your overall educational experience.