In the current situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, HEC Montréal has made the decision to offer all its courses online during the 2020 summer session. Most of our faculty has therefore prepared to adapt the pedagogical material usually offered in the classroom or in hybrid format to ensure academic continuity, while maintaining a quality student experience.
However, online learning may be new to you. You are probably wondering how you can get prepared and adapt to it. How can you stay motivated and give yourself the best chance to succeed? This guide is a concrete summary of what you should know and apply to make sure you have the best chance of success.
You need to structure your study plan, which is an organized schedule, outlining study times and learning goals. Stick to your study plan with high commitment.
You might understand that demonstrating a high level of autonomy in every single learning activity is very important.
You should manage yourself to maintain your commitment and motivation throughout the session.
Make sure that all your devices are working properly for each application you will be using for your online course:
- camera
- microphone
- speakers
- headphone
Professors should not require you to print materials. However, if you feel that you need a printer, make sure you also have enough paper and ink so that no situation will catch you off guard.
You should prepare right now some different alternatives you may use in case you encounter a technical problem, such as:
You could temporarily use your smartphone or tablet if your computer fails.
If you are experiencing internet connection problems, you could use "connection sharing" function on your cell phone (do not forget to check the data plan you have subscribed to) or ask a kind neighbor to give you temporary access to their network.
Back up your important documents and files regularly and reliably.
ZoneCourse is HEC Montréal's online learning platform. Just like in a classroom course, all the information and resources related to your course will be available on your course site. You will be able to access the content of each session through the "Course Outline" (Plan de cours) tool. You may also discover some new tools available in ZoneCours, that you have not yet had the opportunity to use. For this, see instructions here.
Now log on to ZoneCours, get familiar with its user interface, access your course site and start exploring elements available to you before the course begins.
If you need to obtain books or printed materials, follow the instructions specific to your course and ideally do so as soon as possible and before the beginning of the course to avoid falling behind.
You may also order books or printed materials on Coop HEC (in French) or library website.
Throughout your course, you will have to use a variety of educational technology tools. Whether it is an application installed on your computer or an online platform, your professor will tell you which tools you will need to get familiar with.
Using Teams – a collaborative work tool
Participate in a virtual class or workshop with the VIA tool
Record a PowerPoint presentation and publish it on YouTube
Using Tegrity (video recording tool) in your ZoneCours course site
You will be able to do many of the activities in your course at your convenience. Some activities could take place at specific times (for "synchronous" sessions planned by your teacher, team meetings, etc.), but for several other ones, you will need to organize autonomously your time devoted to them (for visualizing pre-recorded videos, reading documents, participating in a discussion forum, studying, achieving individual work, etc.).
We recommend that you visit the HEC’s Student Service website for resources helping you to establish your study strategies and promote your academic success. If you need help, do not hesitate to contact them!
HEC Montréal provides you with many resources and skills to help you succeed in the context of an online course, such as time management technics, self-motivation skills, study tips, etc., and more.
Taking an online course may cause more stress and anxiety than learning in a classroom. Furthermore, the current situation is adding stressful and anxiety-provoking elements. Be aware that you are not alone in experiencing these emotions and that there are resources available to you.
Teamwork is an important part of university studies. While teamwork experience is often positive and rewarding, it may also be fraught with difficulties and challenges. Before you start your team-working task, take a few moments to explore this page of resources and tools.
As part of an online course, there will be many ways for you to communicate with your professor and other students. In order to keep every exchange efficient, smooth and beneficial to everyone, it is essential that all participants respect certain rules.
Rules for online classroom etiquette:
- Behave politely and use appropriate language at all times.
- During virtual meetings, turn off your microphone if you do not have to speak. This will avoid unnecessary background noise that may disturb other participants.
- Wait for your turn to speak and avoid interrupting others.
- Speak clearly and concisely.
- Avoid off-topic statements or repetition.
- Do not post personal messages in class or group conversation.
- Spell carefully and avoid informal abbreviations.
- Avoid using capital letters in your chatting. If you want to emphasize something, use “quotation marks” or *asterisks*.
- Make sure you are communicating to the right person. Once a message has been sent, it may be difficult, if not impossible, to recall it.
Please keep in mind that no disrespectful or discriminatory comments towards professors or other students will be tolerated, on any platform whatsoever.
HEC Montréal has canceled all in person exams for 2020 winter and summer session. Of course, your professors will adjust their evaluation methods. Faculty and academic staff are working to establish guidelines for these updates. Your professors will keep you posted about the details in the next few days or weeks. Thank you for your patience!
