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Frostburg State University currently offers a blended online/in-classroom program which allows students to take one third of the coursework online while in India and the remaining two thirds while attending Frostburg State University.
The current delivery method, proposed to be implemented for Fall 2010 to international students from India, is a combination online/on-campus format as outlined below. This will require students to agree to come to Frostburg State University after the second semester in the program to complete their degree and meet all of the necessary requirements to receive an I-20 and obtain an F-1 visa.
While video conferencing is not currently required for this program, it would be an added advantage if we did have the ability to meet and interact with students via video conferencing at various times throughout the semesters in which they are in India. This would improve our ability to establish personal relationships with students as well as provide an added dimension to the online program that is beneficial to both the student and the faculty at FSU.
FSU will provide all teaching material and instruction through our online course management system called Blackboard™. When a student is admitted,(s)he will be provided all necessary information to access this system. Students will also be provided with a Frostburg State University email address that will be used for all official business or curricular communication. The requirements for hardware and software for these systems are listed below and are the responsibility of the student in order to participate in this program.
Hardware Requirements
In order to access online course materials, students must have reliable access to a computer with Internet access. The computer system the student uses must fulfill the following minimum hardware requirements.
Minimum Hardware Requirements
512 MB of RAM (1024 MB Recommended) 1 GB of free disk space
10/100 ethernet card
8-bit (16-bit recommended) sound card and speakers
8X CD-Rom Drive (24X recommended) 800 x 600 16-bit color display; graphics card
Webcam
Internet Requirements
The Blackboard Learning System is best utilized when accessed via a 256 Kbps Internet connection or higher. DSL or Cable Internet connection is recommended.
Software Requirements Students and faculty log onto Blackboard through the University’s website. There are certain minimum software requirements that a Blackboard user’s computer must meet.
Minimum Software Requirements
Operating System: Windows 2000, XP, or Vista
Mac 10.3, Mac 10.4 or 10.5
Microsoft Office 2003 or later
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Browser:
PC: Internet Explorer 6 or later; Firefox 2.0 or later; or Netscape Navigator 7.2
Mac: Firefox 2.0 or later; Safari 2; or Netscape Navigator 7.2
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