Online Program Delivery
North Park University Online uses state-of-the-art technology to make it as easy as possible for students to study online, from registration through course evaluation.
Learning Tools
All online courses are delivered through an easy-to-use learning platform called Blackboard. Everything in a course takes place on a password protected "course site." Only students enrolled in the course have access to the site, where they download readings and other course materials, submit assignments and participate in discussions and projects with other students and the instructor.
Discussions generally take place on a discussion board, which does not require students to be logged on at the same time as their classmates. There are also opportunities for "real time" interaction with students and instructors through instant messaging technology. Students and instructors communicate through email and small group areas. Online courses commonly incorporate the following tools and components:
- private e-mail
- group discussions and projects
- online quizzes
- discussion boards (asynchronous) or synchronous "chat" rooms
- blogs and wikis
Visit our course demo to see how these learning tools are used in an example course. Login with username "democourse" and password "democourse".
Technology
Upon registration for an online course, students receive a computer account on North Park University's network servers, which can be accessed using a standard web browser. You may obtain Internet service through a national carrier or local Internet providers.
NPU Online strongly recommends using a broadband connection (DSL or cable) for accessing its online resources. Additionally, the latest version of a web browser is required for internet access.
Student Orientation and Support
Any student who has never taken an online or hybrid class at North Park is required to complete an orientation course to gain a working knowledge of Blackboard, along with an introduction to the support services and resources available to help online students succeed. The course takes a few hours and must be completed before beginning an academic online course.
Technical Support
Most students never experience problems with online learning. However, if issues do arise or you need assistance, a team of support professionals is available through the specific program's administrative office or the Office of Distributed Learning at (773) 244-6204 or email.
This demonstration course, open to anyone interested in online learning at North Park University, provides an exploration of the power of learning on the Internet. The demo course examines sources of knowledge and online tools for communication. The only requirements for participation are a broadband Internet connection and a web browser
Enter the course with username "democourse" and password "democourse".