Human Rights and Justice Group

Knowing, Claiming And Securing Our Right To Be Human


Global Human Rights Leadership Development Institute (GHRLDI)

A global training program for human rights advocates and educators, organized and supported by Human Rights and Justice Group International

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Frequently Asked Questions (e-learning)

1.What is e-Learning?
E-learning is a learning facilitated and supported through the use of information and communications technology, e-learning can cover a spectrum of activities from supported learning, to blended learning (the combination of traditional and e-learning practices), to learning that is entirely online. Whatever the technology, however, learning is the vital element. It will answer many questions pertaining to e-learning in general, while the rest of this FAQ will focus on this specific course.
2.How much time will the course require?
The course will take about twenty-eight hours. This means that you will need to devote about six hours each week to the course. This figure is an average ― some weeks you will need to devote more than six hours, and some weeks you will be able to devote fewer hours.
If you are unable to put that much time into the course, you will find it difficult to do well, or perhaps even to pass. You should either find ways to increase the amount of time you can devote to the course, or else take it at another time, when your other obligations are not so demanding. Working at a full-time job and taking just this course at the same time is possible, but you will likely end up very busy and tired. Working at a part-time job and taking this course and a couple other courses is also possible, but again you will end up being very busy and tired. Being a parent and taking this course at the same time is also possible, but that combination too would be very demanding. In short, before you proceed with this course, carefully consider your other work, and family obligations, and decide whether you can devote sufficient time to this course. There’s no point starting this course if you are only going to drop it halfway through, and you will be unhappy if a lack of time results in you getting a "D" or "F" for the course.
4. Do I need to know how to use email and the Internet to take this course?
Yes. Our webmaster will help you to resolve problems you may have with the course software, but if you are not already familiar with the basics of sending email and using a web browser, you will find the technical aspects of the course very challenging.
5. What if I don’t like using computers?
Then you definitely should not take this course. Using computers is essential for your success in the course, and there is a specific section on integrating computers into your ongoing efforts in the field. If you don’t want to work with computers, you would be better served by a different kind of course.
6.What if I don’t have a computer at home?
The alternative solution will be using public cyber cafç, a computer at your work (if this is permitted) or other public computer, like at a library. Consider your choice carefully since you will need sufficient access to be able to devote the amount of time the course will take - up to 6-8 hours per week.
7.What is an online discussion group?
An online discussion group is a web-based forum where you can read messages posted by classmates, and post your own messages in response.
8. Do I have to email my assignments to you?
No. All assignments will be posted through the course software online.
9.If I need to ask you a question, how do I contact you?
It depends on what the question is. If it’s a question whose answer might pertain to the entire class, then you should either post it to the course forum or in the online discussion group; for example, if it’s a question that is personal in nature, then you should email the facilitators. For technical wuestions, you should email our webmaster.
10.Do you allow extensions for assignments?
Yes. An extension for an assignment can be granted under certain conditions. First, you must have a good reason; second, you must be able to provide evidence of that reason; you must make your request before the due date for the assignment; an extension that goes beyond deadline of the course will not be granted.
11.I’ve been away from class for three weeks because of illness. Can I make up the work that I’ve missed?
With regard to essays, you can make up a missed assignment only under the conditions described in the question above. With regard to participation in class or in the online discussion group, you can’t make it up, for the simple reason that you can’t go back in time to when that discussion was held. Because of the short duration of our courses and the number of hours of work required in a week, you will probably find it very difficult to catch up if you have missed three full weeks. You may choose to reapply and take the course in a later session instead.
12.I’m a remote student, and I’ve just learned that my friend got a higher online discussion group mark than I did, and yet I contribute more to the online discussion groups than she does. How is that fair?
Several factors are considered when assigning your online discussion group mark: quantity, quality, and consistency. If you contribute rarely (low quantity), you will do poorly; if you contribute frequently, but your contributions don’t get beyond the basics of the text (poor quality), then you will do poorly; if you don’t contribute for three weeks and then post a flurry of messages in the fourth week (lack of consistency), you’ll also do poorly, since that kind of participation is not conducive to a discussion. In short, to get a high online discussion group mark, you need to post insightful contributions every week.