FAQs

 

What if a student has to be away during their e-Studies course?
The answer to this question depends on several factors, including the length of the vacation, whether the student will have access to a computer and a reliable Internet-connection, and whether whether he/she will want to be working on course work during the time away. In general, Duke TIP can accommodate a one-week absence during the term, provided that the student communicates with the instructor in advance of that absence to arrange a schedule for making up essential assignments. Absences of longer than one week, with no Internet access during that time, become increasingly problematic, as the student will miss more and more of the course work and more opportunities to interact with his/her classmates.
Who has access to an e-Studies course Web site?
Once they are enrolled in an e-Studies course, students are assigned a username and password, which they use to access their course Web site. At the beginning of the term, parents will receive instructions on guest access to the course, which allows parents or other guests to view certain components of the course. For security reasons, discussion boards, chat areas, and tests or quizzes are only accessible to registered students, the course’s instructional staff, and Duke TIP administrators.
Do students have to be online at a particular time?
Most of the interaction that takes place in an e-Studies course is asynchronous, meaning that students (and the instructor) are participating at different times. As long as they meet due dates and deadlines, students can post to the discussion board or take a test at any time that is convenient (such as 7 a.m., 10:30 p.m., etc.). This flexibility is one of the greatest benefits of a distance-learning course.

In some instances, students will be asked to participate in a synchronous chat or conference. In these instances, groups of students and the instructor are online simultaneously, interacting in real time. Although such interaction limits flexibility, many students find this opportunity to connect with their classmates in real time to be one of the most rewarding aspects of an e-Studies course.
What if a student has technical problems?
If students have difficulty with Blackboard, the course management system used in the e-Studies Program, they can contact Duke University’s Office of Information Technology (OIT) HelpDesk. A link to an online help request form is available when students visit http://courses.duke.edu or on the “My Blackboard” page. If students are unable to navigate to either of those pages, they can access the Blackboard Help Request Form here, or they can call the HelpDesk at (919) 684-2200. When requesting help, students should identify themselves as Duke TIP e-Studies students. If students are having difficulty with their hardware or with software unrelated to Blackboard, they will need to seek technical assistance from the computer or software manufacturer.
Can students take more than one e-Studies course in a semester?
Some students have been successful in multiple e-Studies courses. Before deciding wheter or not to take more than one course, please remember that for each course, students will be expected to spend 10-14 hours per week on course work and consider this time commitment in light of other things that he/she will want and need to do during the summer term.
Can students participate in an e-Studies course and do a Duke TIP Summer Study course?
No, if a student is enrolled in a Duke TIP Summer Studies course, he/she is not allowed to take an e-Studies course also. During the three weeks on the summer program site, students will be spending over 35 hours per week in a course, will have limited access to a computer, and will be expected to spend time in important residential and social activities. As a result, students will be having too much fun and will have too little time and intellectual energy to participate in an e-Studies course also.