Resources for Online Learning

Your Guide to Succeeding as an Online Student

If this is your first online course, you may be feeling a bit anxious about how online learning works and what skills and technology requirements you'll need to learn. The first thing to keep in mind is that we will do our best to support you in your learning.

Our online programs are specifically designed to provide you with a flexible, engaging and high-quality learning experience. For the most part, online learning is not much different than learning in a classroom setting.

The tutorials and resources below are designed to provide you with the support you need to succeed as an online student.

Getting Started

If you have questions or simply want to learn more about online learning, visit the links below:

Canvas

For online courses that have been developed and released specifically for online consumption, Canvas, our learning management system, will be your primary platform.

Canvas Overview

Zoom

Online learning generally consist of content and curriculum that is taught using research-based best practices for both live and self-guided learning. Live class sessions are scheduled on specific days/times, which allow students to have virtual interactions with the instructor and other students.

Zoom is a user-friendly video conferencing platform for students and instructors to engage in real-time learning. It’s perfect for facilitating live group learning, sharing visuals and engaging in small or large group activities.

Learn the basic features of Zoom:

Getting started with Zoom
Zoom for Education Pre-recorded Webinar (45 minutes)

Coursera

Coursera is an online platform that offers self-paced online courses specializations and degrees from top universities, including courses created by us. These self-paced courses allow you to view pre-recorded lectures and complete assignments within a more flexible time frame.

UC Davis Courses on Coursera

If you have any questions, please contact us at cpeinfo@ucdavis.edu or (530) 757-8777.

Basic Guidelines for Learning in Extraordinary Circumstances

There may be circumstances where you are unable to make timely progress on your class work (no access to power or internet, need to care for children, etc.). Check to see if your instructor has sent you any guidance for these situations, either on their syllabus or via email. If no accommodation is mentioned or you’re unsure if the existing accommodation is appropriate for your situation, contact your instructor directly.
Instructors will likely make changes to the course syllabi as a result of the transition to online learning. They’ll communicate any changes in a timely manner so you can plan accordingly.
This is a change for both you and our instructors. Please be patient, supportive and communicative (tell them what’s working for you as well as what isn’t) as they adjust their teaching style for online learning.
If you have disability-related concerns with participating in an online class or need special accommodations, please contact Tina Ehrke.

Zoom Best Practices for Online Students

Use a computer located in a quiet room, without other computers that are accessing Zoom
Click on the Zoom meeting link sent by the instructor
Unmute the audio and video at the bottom of the screen
When you are not talking, mute your audio
Use the chat feature if you have questions

Zoom Security

To ensure our students have the most engaging AND secure online educational experience possible, we’ve instituted the following measures for all Zoom-based remote instruction:

Zoom Upgrade – Starting on Saturday, May 30th, Zoom version 5 (released last month) will be required to access UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education classes that include remote instruction.
Passwords – All Zoom classes will require a password. Your password is automatically encoded into the URL of your meeting link, so just click through and you’re in.
Screen Sharing – By default, only instructors will be able to share their screen during class. They will allow students to share their screens as necessary.
“Waiting Room” – Some classes may use the “Waiting Room” feature in Zoom and manually add students at the start of each session (your instructor or program representative will let you know if they plan to use this feature).

Please do not share the link to classroom sessions! This is one of the easiest (and most preventable) ways for Zoom meetings to be “bombed.”