Does anyone know if the DL classes offered by U Mass (Lowell) are synchronous (e.g. Tuesday, 7-8 PM) or asynchronous (login sometime between the scheduled dates to "attend the lecture component" )? Their website is not completely clear on the actual mechanics of the program or if there are variations depending on the class/program. I know that several posters as well as our respected moderator, Bruce , are alums of U Mass (Lowell) and any firsthand information would be sincerely appreciated. Overall, the programs look very appealing but I found the "test drive" application on the website somewhat lacking. http://continuinged.uml.edu/general/catalog.htm
You're right, the site isn't very clear on that point. I emailed UML with that question a couple weeks ago and got this: "The online courses are asynchronous. Class material for every week is made available on the first day of the week and can be accessed by students at any time. The only synchronous feature is the class chat. Some classes have chats scheduled on a particular day of the week at a specific time when students can interact with the instructor and each other in real time. These chats are not mandatory but help in student-teacher interaction. Otherwise you can pretty much study according to your own pace and schedule."
Tom - I'm also a UML alum. Karen nailed it; classes are asynchronous but chat is in real time and in my experience generally helpful but not mandatory. I might add that in those classes where I struggled each and every instructor gave me a phone number for individual consultation. Good luck D.