Student Resources
Resources for our Students about Instructional Innovation
Are Online Courses Right For Me?
Success in online environments requires: foundational computer skills, daily access to a computer with a reliable internet connection, good time management skills, and self-discipline.
More Resources are Below:
NVC Technology Resources for Students
How to Succeed in an Online Course_Student Resource_2024 Updated.pdf
Student Testimonials
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Orientation to Online Learning (OLRN 0001)
If you are new to online courses, you are encouraged to enroll in a free "Orientation to Online Learning" (OLRN) training in Canvas. OLRN is a non-credit, fully online orientation and is designed to share best online learning practices from a student's perspective, provide info and links to many student services, and give plenty of guidance and practice using our online learning management system, Canvas.
OLRN Frequently Asked Questions:
| 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. |
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.
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.
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.
Once available, OLRN will appear in ACES – My Courses. Just select the home icon to enter OLRN. OLRN takes an average of 1-2 hours to complete.
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.
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.
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 and Certificates - by Type
(look for the programs with a diamond ♦ symbol)
Degrees and Certificates - by Type
(look for the programs with a diamond ♦ symbol)