Gannon's Online Engagement and Retention Coordinator facilitates
the online new student orientations, implements strategies to
ensure that online students are active in their online courses, and
provides general online student support through a variety of
high-touch methods to engage students and support student retention
efforts. Please contact Courtney if you have general questions about
online learning or how you can remotely access Gannon's
comprehensive student services.
Online Learning Readiness Assurance
Online instruction can be different from instruction in the
classroom. Before enrolling in an
online program at Gannon, you should first assess your readiness
for stepping into the online learning environment. Your results
from the online questionnaire will
help you identify the requirements necessary to succeed at online
learning and areas you may need to explore before starting your
online program.
Time Management
It is important to understand that online courses are different
from classroom learning. Online learning is typically more
student-centered. As an online student, you should anticipate
spending 10-15 hours a week on your studies per each online course.
It is important to keep in mind that time management is the key to
being successful as an online student. Gannon's online courses
often have specific weekly due dates for assignments and discussion
activities. Keeping a personal calendar for coursework and
assignments can be helpful to ensure academic success. Overall, you
should anticipate to spend more time online during the first few
weeks while to familiarize yourself with your online course.
Student Success Center
Gannon University's Student Success Center [link to SCC]
provides support services, including academic advising, career
counseling, tutoring, programming, and resources for students at
Gannon University. All services are available from a distance for
online students. The SSC staff uses a proactive, developmental
advising model which promotes student success by assisting students
in identifying and removing obstacles to learning. The SSC serves
as the primary resource for academic support and referral, and is
committed to assisting students with resolving academic concerns,
meeting educational and career goals, and connecting to campus
resources. Our offices work together to help students thrive within
the University community.
TECHNICAL SUPPORT 24/7
Gannon University's ITS Helpdesk provides technical support to
its students. The Help Desk provides walk-in, phone and online
assistance for students with questions or problems regarding online
courses and other campus-based technology services we offer. Help
is provided 24 hours a day including weekends and holidays. The ITS
Helpdesk can be contacted at (814) 871-7501 or toll free (877)
482-4333 for any technical questions online students and faculty
might have.
Gannon's Online Programs and Online
Accessibility
Online Accessibility Policy
Online courses follow the 16-week design process facilitated in
the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) to adhere
to universal design principles which facilitate ease of use and
readability in order to provide equal access to all qualified
students. The 16-week CETL design process includes a standard for
accessibility and a course design checklist.
Gannon University and its faculty are committed to ensuring
accessibility of online instruction to all students. No qualified
student will be excluded from participation in any academic
program. Gannon strives to make all online courses accessible and
uses reasonable efforts to prevent and remove barriers to online
learning. Gannon offers faculty training in universal design
practices, includes universal design in its online course design
process through Quality Matters, and is a Blackboard institution.
Blackboard conforms to the highest levels of accessibility
standards. http://www.blackboard.com/accessibility.aspx
If you find any inaccessibility in an online course, please
contact your instructor and notify Lisa Laird in the Office of Disability Services at (814)-871-5522.
Online Instructional Accommodations Policy
Any online student with a condition such as a physical or
sensory disability that may require instructional accommodation
should notify Lisa Laird in the Office of Disability Services at (814)-871-5522 upon
admission to the University or in the first week of class to make
appropriate arrangements. Students may also visit the Student
Success Center, located in Palumbo Academic Building on West 8th
Street.