Brigham Young University-Idaho offers a place for students to learn and grow with an uplifting and inspirational atmosphere. This education, which has been until now been limited to students living in and around Rexburg, is now widely available through a rapidly growing number of online courses. When President Gordon B. Hinckley announced the formation of BYU-Idaho, he explained that the university would be “taking advantage of advancements in technology which will enable the four-year institution to serve more students" (Church New, 2000). That vision is continued today as BYU-Idaho offers its courses around the globe.
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Online courses are created and taught by dedicated experts in each field, and are attended by students who come from diverse backgrounds and locations. Courses online benefit students by providing a flexible schedule for completing coursework. Just like courses taught in a classroom, online courses are modeled after the Learning Model, which allows for constructive dialogue between students and instructors. Students will be required to accept responsibility for learning and teaching based on this model.
Online classes mirror campus-based courses in format and schedule. Courses are available to students who are currently enrolled in face-to-face class, who are in their off-track, or who are interested in pursuing a degree from home. Students may be participating in online courses from around the world, or they may be trying to earn a college degree while raising a family or working full-time.
Classes move together through a structured learning experience based on the semester calendar. Typically, homework for the week is assigned at the beginning of the week, and students will have until Friday or Saturday to complete it. Homework is much like work done in the classroom. Students will be expected to complete readings, practice problems, or participate in audiovisual material. Students will have to pace themselves in order to complete assignments, and will also be responsible for their schedule. Even though the curriculum and schedule are flexible, students should not feel like they are alone as they learn course material. A common component of online classes is a discussion board, where students can discuss questions and concerns in open forum. Teachers are also committed to offering the best experience possible. Instructors will be available to answer questions and provide feedback on assignments.
Just like any other class, online courses offer quizzes and tests to help students assess their understanding of course material. Tests are offered for many classes online, but are not always graded by a computer. Teachers will often evaluate responses in order to gauge a student’s understanding. Students will also participate in self-assessments, where they will be asked to evaluate their own performance or participation.
Brigham Young University-Idaho is committed to providing its students with the best learning resources available. Teachers in online courses are willing to help or answer questions, and may also offer other help resources, such as the Online Support Center, online tutoring, or technical support.




