1. Courses are rigorous. In a fully facilitated course participants should expect to spend a minimum of 4-5 hours per week for six to eight weeks for 2 MSDE credits. Self-paced courses generally run for 4 months during which time learners are expected to spend a minimum of 15 hours online. Tutorial courses generally last for 2-3 hours.

2. Active participation is imperative for success in the online environment. CTE expects learners in fully facilitated courses to participate in team activities and assignments. Meaningful participation is also required for online chats and discussion forums. Participation in benchmark assignments for self-paced courses is required.

3. Participants must have efficient time-management skills. Especially in fully facilitated courses learners will discover that teammates are dependent on each other to complete tasks and projects. Learners who take self-paced courses must know how to manage their time so that they can complete the required assignments by the benchmark date and by the end of the course.

4. Learners will follow the online etiquette standards as established for each course. It is expected that learners adhere to communication guidelines and expectations as set by the facilitator and fellow students.

5. Learners must be proactive and contribute often. If a learner is having technological trouble or difficulty with the course content, is his/her responsibility to contact the facilitator immediately. Without access to the non-verbal cues available in a face-to-face setting, facilitators must be informed of student challenges.

Reflect: How do these expectations fit into your lifestyle? Will you be able to meet these expectations?