HDFS Online Courses
Online Course Information and Success Tips
If you are thinking about taking an online class through HDFS, here are some items to consider:
- Online classes mean there are no face-to-face sessions
- It is expected that you can use and have access to a computer and the Internet.
- Ask yourself: Why do I want to learn online?
- Online classes are not easier and actually take more time than a face-to-face class
- It is expected that all students have access to a computer and know how to use it.
MSU's Acceptable Use Policy is available at: http://lct.msu.edu/guidelines-policies/aup/. It is expected that all students understand and agree to the policies therein.
Tips for Being a Successful Online Student
The online environment can be exciting and also frustrating.
- Don’t take a vacation during an online class (especially during the shorter summer semester).
- Non-attendance is grounds for being dropped from the class.
- Don’t sign up late for the class. You want to have a chance to familiarize yourself with the course management system, look over the syllabus, buy books and work out any technical issues.
- Get organized. It’s hard to manage time in your schedule for a class when you don’t have an assigned time to attend. Online class participants have a tendency to wait until the last minute and then try to complete all the assignments. It doesn’t work!
- Learn the structure of the class. Is it self-paced, or does it have timed modules? Will modules remain open for the entire semester or just for one week? This will help you set up your schedule for completing the work. Read the syllabus.
- The “rules” regarding cheating, drop dates, etc. are the same in an online class as they are in a face-to-face class. The delivery method is just different.
- Remember your instructor is not technical support; their area of expertise is course content. Technical questions must be directed to the ANGEL Help Desk.
Tech support
- Toll Free: 1-800-500-1554 (North America and Hawaii)
- Local: 517-355-2345
Online classes offered every summer include:
- Individual, Marriage and the Family (HDFS 145)
- Child Growth and Development (HDFS 211)
- Lifespan Human Development (HDFS 225)
- Personal Finance (HDFS 238)
- Parenting (HDFS 414)
- Ethnic Minority Families (HDFS 442)
- Interpersonal Relationships in the Family (HDFS 444)
- Human Sexuality (HDFS 445)
Online courses taught by MSU are accessed through ANGEL, MSU's course management system. Some professors have moved to the new MSU system, Desire2Learn. Read the syllabus to verify the course management system.
Youth Development Students
Iowa State University course access: https://bb.its.iastate.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
Kansas State University course access: https://signin.k-state.edu/WebISO/login
North Dakota State University course access: https://bb.ndsu.nodak.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
University of Missouri-Columbia course access: https://bblearn.missouri.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp
University of Nebraska-Lincoln course access: https://blackboard.unl.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp