Author Archives: Dual Enrollment Coordinator

This Week at NOVA Online!

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Open registration for all students starts today, Monday, November 16. Have any questions about your spring term courses? Need to change your degree plan? Schedule a virtual appointment with an NOVA Online Counselor!

First time in college? Participate in a New Student Orientation Webinar – This one hour webinar is required for new-to-college students aged 17-24. New Student Orientation will focus on academic and career goals, reading degree plans, and registering for classes. Use your VCCS username/password to register and email NOVA OnlineLearn@nvcc.edu with any questions. All are welcome.

November is National Career Development Month. Join NOVA Online Career Counselor on Wednesday, November 18, 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm for the Conducting a Job Search Webinar. This 45 minute webinar will focus on basic strategies for conducting a job search. Topics covered will include creating a plan, identifying sources of job leads, and resume, cover letter, and interview basics.

Last week was National Distance Learning Week! We celebrated throughout the week with trivia, facts/myths, and memories – including this picture below! NOVA Online started as correspondence classes and used video, audio, and postal mail for courses. Can you imagine? We hope you enjoyed NDLW!

s NOVA Online-2Have a great week!

National Distance Learning Week

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To mark National Distance Learning Week, we wanted to take the opportunity to share with you 10 things you might not know about the Extended Learning Institute (NOVA Online) at Northern Virginia Community College.

Curious what the 1975 course catalog looked like when the Extended Learning Institute offered it’s first course? 1976 Catalog & Schedule of Classes 1

1.    23,000 NOVA students taken online courses through the NOVA Online each year.

2.    NOVA Online offers more than 500 online courses, so whatever field you’re in and whatever degree requirement you’re working to fill, you can probably find it at NOVA Online!

3.    NOVA Online courses and NOVA Online faculty win national awards every year.

4.    You are not alone when you take a NOVA Online course – you will interact with your instructor and classmates through discussions, group assignments, and more.

5.    NOVA Online staff provide lots of services to support you in your online courses, too, including 24/7 free online tutoring, online librarians, 24/7 technical support, student success coaches, and much more.

6.    NOVA Online offers monthly start dates for most of our courses, so just about any time you want to get started with us, we have a new session starting soon!

7.    You can earn more than 40 complete associate’s degrees and certificates entirely through NOVA Online. Check out the complete list on NOVA Online’s website.

8.    Not sure whether an online course is right for you? You can take the Smartermeasure assessment to find out!

9.    NOVA Online offers courses in 16-week, 12-week, and 8-week lengths so you can choose the schedule and course length that best fits your needs.

10.    Most NOVA Online students take classes on campus as well as NOVA Online classes; combining the two can be the perfect way to get to your degree as quickly as possible.

Happy Distance Learning Week to our online students at NOVA. If you have any questions, contact the NOVA Online Student Services Team at 703.323.3347 or elisuccess@nvcc.edu or connect with us on social media. We are more than happy to answer your questions, as well as refer you to useful resources and services that will support your online learning experience.

National Distance Learning Week!

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It’s National Distance Learning Week and throughout the week we are celebrating current students and making sure future students know the ins and outs of being an online student. Throughout the week on social media, you will see trivia, myths, pictures, and of course prizes! logoNot sure if online courses are right for you? Take the SmarterMeasure assessment to gauge your readiness! Listen to the Furthering your Education with NOVA Online webinar designed for prospective students and will focus on the benefits of studying online at NOVA’s Extended Learning Institute, programs offered, options for accelerating your program and student support services.

In addition to National Distance learning Week – it is also National Career Development Month. Join NOVA Online Career Counselor on Wednesday, November 11, 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm for the Exploring Career Options webinar – This 45 minute webinar will focus on using various online resources to research career options.  The relationship between programs of study at NOVA, college majors, and career options will be discussed.  Resources presented will provide information on nature of work, educational requirements, job outlook, and wages. Can’t attend a live session? Click here to request a recording.

Tuesday, November 10 – 12:15 – 1:00 pm – Getting Ready for your Second Semester – Join us for this 45 minute webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about preparing for their second semester. Topics covered will include program identification, course selection, college resources, schedule planning, and registration/payment tips. Register Today!

Join a representative from Old Dominion University to learn how to transfer to ODU Online business programs, Tuesday, Nov. 10 at noon. Join the session on Tuesday!

Have a great week!

Advising Week: Faculty Advisor

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Your Faculty Advisor is a valuable asset in your academic journey. They can provide insights and recommendations based on their education and real world experience. Take advantage of their knowledge and expertise in your program of interest!

If you do not have an assigned advisor, click here for more information on how to have a Faculty Advisor assigned.

Plan early for your next semester with your Faculty Advisor and have your spring courses selected and be ready to register on your Priority Registration date. This will give you the best chances at getting the courses you need. Registering early will also be beneficial for students who use NOVA’s TMS payment plan allowing for a lower down payment and more months to break up your remaining tuition balance.

How can my Faculty Advisor help me?

  • Create an academic program completion plan, which maps out which courses you need to take for your major/program of study.
  • Select which electives will support your academic goal/career plans.
  • Connect with NOVA resources you need and make referrals.
  • Submit the appropriate forms for substitution requests or changing your major.
  • Reflect on your academic performance, so you can be successful.
  • Serve as a reference or assist in preparing letters of recommendation for applications (transfer, employment and scholarship).
  • Review your academic progress to help assure you complete your program based on your goals

How do I address my Faculty Advisor?

  • Address the Faculty Advisor as “Professor and their last name.” If you know they have earned a Ph.D., or Ed.D. address them as “Doctor and their last name”. (i.e. Professor Jones or  Dr. Smith).
  • Be sure to send your email from your NOVA student email account and include your Student ID number.
  • As a NOVA Online student, you may not meet your Faculty Advisor in person. Project yourself as a professional and dedicated student by composing a well-organized and thoughtful email. Take advantage of these Ten Quick Steps to Email Your Instructor.

What can I include in my correspondence to my advisor?

  • Outline topics or questions you would like to discuss. (i.e. transfer plans, career opportunities, extracurricular/club involvement).
  • Review your program requirements in the catalog and ask any questions you may have about unsatisfied requirements.
  • Identify courses you may be interested in for the upcoming term and year.

Suggested Questions and Topics to discuss:

  • What courses do I need to complete my academic program?
  • What are the prerequisites for the courses I plan to take or where can I find them?
  • I would like to discuss my academic goals.
  • What do I need to know about transferring? Are there deadlines and scholarships?
  • I need a tutor.  How do I find one and access other services when I need help?
  • I need to work. How can I arrange my classes around my work schedule and how will working impact my studies?
  • I am interested in participating in extracurricular and co-curricular activities.  Can we discuss my academic goals and extracurricular and co-curricular activities.
  • Ask your advisor to share how they chose their major in college.

The last part of the semester is always hectic, and the holidays are coming up! Reach out to your faculty advisor now!

Attend a Getting Ready for Your Next Semester webinar.  Learn more about the webinar and register for an upcoming session here. Undecided or just getting started on your degree plan? Talk to an Academic Counselor to help you get started with your spring term classes. NOVA Online Counselors can be reached at NOVA OnlineCounselors@nvcc.edu.

Written by NOVA Online Student Success Coach, Laura Tiglao.

This Week at NOVA Online

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Happy Monday!Calendar planning concept Advising Week is here, which means spring registration is right around the corner! Open registration for all students starts on Monday, November 16. Are you a current NOVA student? Follow this tutorial to find your priority registration date.

Join a NOVA Online Counselor on Tuesday, November 3, 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm for the Getting Ready for your Next Semester Webinar. This 45 minute webinar for NOVA students will focus on answering key questions students have about preparing for their next semester.  Topics covered will include program identification, course selection, college resources, schedule planning, and registration/payment tips.

November is National Career Development Month.

Join NOVA Online Career Counselor on Wednesday, November 4, 12:15 pm – 1:00 pm for the Focus on your Career Planning Webinar. This 45 minute webinar will introduce students to FOCUS 2 an online, interactive, self-guided career and education planning system.  The system can help students select a program/major based on their interests and aspirations, discover occupations matching their personal preferences and attributes, map out their career plans – present and future, and make informed career decisions.

We hope you were able to take advantage of some Transfer webinars in October. Did you miss the Transfer Planning session with NOVA Online Transfer Counselor, Kim Burkle? Request the recording to get some information for your planning process.

Save the Date: November 9-13 is National Distance Learning Week. We will be celebrating you throughout the week on social media.

SmarterMeasure: Typing Speed and Accuracy

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SmarterMeasure logoA student does not have to be an expert typist to succeed in a course. However, the faster you can type and the fewer errors you make will impact your ability to participate in your courses.

The average workplace typist reaches about 50 to 60 words per minute. The average web surfer comes in at around 30 words per minute, at a peak. Many courses require you to type as you participate in discussion boards, email the instructor, and compose papers. If you type slower than about 20 words per minute, you should consider using a resource such as www.learn2type.com.  This resource is the leading FREE Web site that helps you master the skills of touch typing. Whether you’re a typing expert or just a “hunt & peck” beginner, the interactive exercises in this Typing Tutor automatically adjust to your skill level. The better you get, the more challenging the typing exercises become. You can come and go as you please and pick up the typing lesson where you left off.

To obtain log-in information for the SmarterMeasure assessment, email EliSuccess@nvcc.edu from your VCCS email account. Once you complete the SmarterMeasure assessment, you can find more information in the ‘Assessment Summary’ section.

Guaranteed Admission vs. Articulation Agreement

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What is the difference between a Guaranteed Admission and Articulation Agreement?

Guaranteed Admissions Agreements mean as a NOVA student, you are offered Guaranteed Admissions to a variety of four-year colleges and universities when you meet the requirements of the written Agreement between NOVA and that college. These Agreements guarantee admission to a college or university; but most do not guarantee admission to a specific program.

NOVA and the VCCS also have special articulation agreements with several four-year colleges and universities. These articulation agreements define the way courses, programs or entire categories of programs transfer to another institution and may include admission guarantees.

In order to be considered for guaranteed admission, a student must:

  • Complete a transfer degree (A.A. or A.S.).
  • Meet the minimum G.P.A. requirement.
  • Obtain a “C” or better in all applicable courses for their degree.
  • Take a minimum number of credits at NOVA (can be up to 15 credits).
  • Some institutions require specific courses.
  • Complete a letter of intent, if needed.

You can view the list of GAAs and AAs via NOVA’s transfer webpage. It is important to read the agreements carefully, so you know what specific requirements you will need to meet. NOVA also has developed a great webpage that is all about Guaranteed Admission Agreements! Check out the four-minute video.

Want more information on transfer planning? Request a recording of the Transfer Planning Webinar!

This blog post was written by Kim Burkle, NOVA Online Counselor/Instructor.

Do you have any questions about transferring? Contact a NOVA Online Counselor at elicounselors@nvcc.edu or 703.323.2425. transferThinking about a 4-year and want to hear about the transfer process from NOVA Alumni? Join us tonight!

Transfer Planning: Alumni Transfer Panel: Are you interested in transferring to a Bachelor’s degree program after NOVA? It’s never too early to begin your planning. This one-hour webinar will host a panel of NOVA/NOVA Online alumni students who have transferred to 4-year institutions. Register for a live webinar on Tuesday, October 27, 6:00pm – 7:30pm!

This week at NOVA Online

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October is Transfer Month at NOVA Online! Check the NOVA Online Webinar page and blog for webinars and virtual transfer fairs to speak with transfer representatives from several colleges and universities.

Transfer Planning: Alumni Transfer Panel: Are you interested in transferring to a Bachelor’s degree program after NOVA? It’s never too early to begin your planning. This one-hour webinar will host a panel of NOVA/NOVA Online alumni students who have transferred to 4-year institutions. Register for a live webinar on Tuesday, October 27, 6:00pm – 7:30pm!

Join the NOVA Online Librarians for a webinar on Wednesday, October 28, 6:30-7:15pm to explore – Beyond Google – Basic Library Skills for Online Learners: Have you ever been assigned a paper or project and don’t know where to start? This 45 minute webinar will give you a brief introduction to what library resources are available to you as an online learner. There might be more than you expect!

Plan ahead for Spring Registration! Advising Week and Spring Registration will be here soon! Look for upcoming webinars to help you plan and register for your spring semester. Follow this tutorial to find your priority registration date.516356269

Have a great week!

SmarterMeasure: Reading Recall

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SmarterMeasure logoThe average adult reading rate for English prose text in the United States is around 250 to 300 words per minute. Research shows that reading is around 25% slower from a computer screen than from paper. Thus you may slightly increase your results to find your speed when reading from paper.

Student Lingo offers an on-demand workshop titled Reading Comprehension Strategies that you can watch to help develop your skills. Take advantage of resources available to you including Student Lingo and your Student Success Coach, just to name a few!

To obtain log-in information for the SmarterMeasure assessment, email EliSuccess@nvcc.edu from your VCCS email account. Once you complete the SmarterMeasure assessment, you can find more information in the ‘Assessment Summary’ section.

The WHAT the WHY and the HOW to be a Social Justice Ally

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Student Life College-wide Co-curricular Event: Today, Wednesday, October 21st  from 2-4pm

As a college-wide initiative, Student Life will be hosting the speaker, Sam Killermann for a Keynote entitled The WHAT the WHY and the HOW to be a Social Justice Ally.  This co-curricular event will be hosted on the Manassas campus (Howsmon 216) and involve the TV center to livestream to other participating campuses and our NOVA server to make it accessible for all who would like to participate from off campus.

Following the Keynote will be a panel discussion involving faculty to localize these topics to NOVA.

Below is the current schedule for the event:Sam_K

Presenter Keynote: Sam Killermann (2:05-2:45)

Faculty Panel Discussion/ Q & A (2:45- 3:30)

Breakout Reflection (3:30-4:00)

Can’t make it to campus – Live Stream the event from anywhere! Learn how on NOVA Online’s Student Life Webpage.