Student Resources

Resources for our Students about instructional innovation.

Are Online Courses Right For Me?

To be successful in the online environment, students must possess foundational computer skills, have daily access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, practice good time management skills, and be self-disciplined.

About AlamoONLINE

AlamoONLINE represents the range of opportunities for students pursuing degrees, certificates, or awards delivered via online classes from Northeast Lakeview College, Northwest Vista College, Palo Alto College, San Antonio College, and St. Philip’s College.

Contact an Enrollment Coach today!

Enrollment Coaches are here to help you get started with the application process and to guide you through registration for online courses this upcoming semester. We can also connect you to an advisor, as well as refer you to services available to online students.

Don't delay, call 210-485-0110 or email AlamoONLINE@alamo.edu today!

Online Degrees & Certificates:

Degrees

Associate of Arts

Associate of Science

Degrees and Certificates - by Type
(look for the programs with a diamond ♦ symbol)

Certificates

Degrees and Certificates - by Type
(look for the programs with a diamond ♦ symbol)

Student Testimonials

What skills are necessary to succeed in an online course?

Real student responses:

“Definitely discipline. You need the discipline to make sure you read your assignment and do your homework on time. Also, time management. Especially if you have other commitments such as family or another class..."

“Without this kind of self-motivation a student will have a difficult time succeeding in an online class.”

"I think you also need some basic computer skills to do well in the class. If someone is not that immersed in computer usage they'll be less likely to be actively involved in the class and its assignments. I think it will become a sort of discouragement and cause frustration.”

“Perhaps this seems like an obvious answer, but convenient internet access is definitely important in being successful in this class. I found that a fast connection is particularly helpful when procrastinators such myself frantically try to submit assignments before the given deadline...Also, you need the ability to write. With the majority of your grade based upon essays [in this class], it is necessary to be able to convey your thoughts and understanding through words.”

“Patience is needed to allow the brain to soak up all the info and then bring it back in our own words...”

Orientation to Online Learning (OLRN-0001)

Welcome New Online Students!

If you are new to online courses, you are encouraged to enroll in a free "Orientation to Online Learning" training in Canvas.

OLRN is Orientation to Online Learning, a no-fee, non-credit, fully online orientation to online learning.

OLRN is designed to share best online learning practices from a student perspective, provide info and links to many student services, and gives new-to-online students plenty of guidance and practice using Canvas, our online learning management system.

The orientation consists of content pages and videos as well as many activities to help you become familiar with Canvas, our online learning management system. You’ll be fully engaged with both the content and the activities, just as you would be in an online class.

OLRN Frequently Asked Questions:

OLRN Full Video Transcript

Timestamp	Original Text
00:05 to 00:07	Hey, have you heard about OLRN?
00:00:08 to 00:10	No, what's that?
00:10 to 00:19	OLRN stands for Orientation to Online Learning. It's a fully online, no-fee, non-credit orientation to online learning.
00:19 to 00:21	What does it offer?
00:21 to 00:34	OLRN shares best online learning practices from a student perspective, provides info and links to many student services, and gives new-to-online students plenty of guidance and practice using Canvas, our online learning management system.
00:35 to 00:39	Do I still need to take OLRN if this is not my first online course?
00:40 to 00:56	OLRN is designed primarily for people who are new to online learning. However, even if you have taken a fully online, asynchronous course at Northwest Vista College, one of the other Alamo Colleges, or at another college or university, you will likely benefit from completing OLRN.
00:56 to 00:59	How do I enroll in OLRN?
00:59 to 01:11	Sign up for OLRN the same way you enroll in your other courses using the schedule of classes and the course CRN. Sign up for a section offered in the same semester as your first online course.
01:12 to 01:14	How do I access OLRN?
01:15 to 01:34	OLRN is 100% online. There are no on-campus meetings or Zoom sessions. You will complete it on your own time, online, at your own pace. Once your enrollment is complete, OLRN will appear in ACES, under My Courses. Just click the home icon to enter OLRN.
01:35 to 01:37	Is OLRN graded?
01:37 to 01:53	You will receive “grades” on the activities you complete; however, they are not permanent grades and will not appear on your transcript. They are simply designed to help you assess your own readiness for online learning and to become familiar with the assignment and grading tools in Canvas.
01:53 to 01:57	How do my instructors know if I have completed it?
01:57 to 02:10	Once you have successfully completed OLRN and the facilitator has assigned a final grade of “Complete,” your completion will show up on every one of your instructors’ class rosters in ACES. You do not need to present a certificate of completion.

Do I still need to take OLRN if this is not my first online course?

OLRN is designed primarily for people who are new to online learning. However, even if you have taken a fully online, asynchronous course (not a remote/Zoom course) at NVC, one of the other Alamo Colleges, or at another college or university, you will likely benefit from completing OLRN.

How do I enroll in OLRN?

Sign up for OLRN the same way you enroll in your other courses using the schedule of classes and the course CRN. For a list of CRNs, see the table below.

Sign up for a section that is being offered in the same semester as your first online course. For example, if your first online course will be a Spring Flex I course, sign up for an OLRN Spring Flex I section.

Log into ACES and select Student tab.
Select the Web Services channel and navigate to Student & Financial Aid and choose Registration.
From the menu items select Add or Drop Classes and Term.
Choose Semester from the drop down menu.
Use Search by College option and select the following:
subject - Orientation to Online Learning
college - Northwest Vista College
Select Section Search.
Select the section that best fits your schedule.

How do I access OLRN?

To give students plenty of time to complete it, OLRN sections open up several weeks before the academic for-credit courses begin.

OLRN is 100% online. There are no on-campus meetings or Zoom sessions. You will complete it on your own time, online, at your own pace.

Once your enrollment is complete, OLRN will appear in ACES – My Courses. Just click the home icon to enter OLRN.

OLRN can be completed in about 1-2 hours per setting.

Is OLRN graded?

You will receive “grades” on the activities you complete; however, they are not permanent grades and will not appear on your transcript. They are simply designed to help you assess your own readiness for online learning and to become familiar with the assignment and grading tools in Canvas.

How do my instructors know if I have completed it?

Once you have successfully completed OLRN and the facilitator has assigned a final grade of “Complete,” your completion will show up on every one of your instructors’ class rosters in ACES. You do not need to present a certificate of completion.

Student: Login to Canvas

The Northwest Vista College students use the Learning Management System (LMS) - Canvas.

Go to ACES, login and select the "My Courses" tab.

Under the "Courses I'm Attending" section, select your semester, and then click on the home icon to the left of the name of your course. Canvas will open in a new window.

To learn more about Canvas:

Canvas Quick Guide for Students

Canvas Student Guides

Canvas App for Mobile Devices:

If using a mobile device, visit the Canvas Guides below to learn more:

Canvas Student iOS Guide

Canvas Student Android Guide

When you are prompted for the school name, enter alamo.instructure.com.