Frequent Asked Questions

What is the difference between a "course" and a "class"?
A "course" is the actual program of learning in which the student engages (for example, "Buddhism and Everyday Life"). A "class" is the specific period in which the course is scheduled to run. At KnowledgeWalk, the term "class" is synonymous with the term "course session." So, for example, students can enroll in "November classes" or the "November session" of a particular "course."

Do I need to "show up for class" on a certain day?
Our instructor-led courses have start and end dates, and we encourage you to enroll before the course starts. If the course has already started, check to see if there is another session starting up soon. We want to make sure you have time to obtain your course materials. You should plan to complete the course and all assignments before the course end date.

Who are the instructors?
All of our KnowledgeWalk instructors are experts in their respective fields, and they really enjoy teaching and interacting with students. Among them are award-winning authors, artists, hobbyists, leaders, and professionals.

What do you mean when you say your courses are "instructor-led"?
For each course, there is an online instructor who answers questions and leads class discussions. Once the course begins, your instructor will guide you through your learning experience and help you and your classmates explore the topic at hand. You should take full advantage of this personalized feature of our courses by participating on the Message Boards.

How do activities, assignments, and/or quizzes work?
Activities, assignments, and quizzes at KnowledgeWalk are designed for your benefit to enhance your learning experience. Activities allow you to expand on and apply your learning from the course. Every activity is followed by discussion questions. The quizzes help you check your understanding of the material that you just covered in the lesson. Use the assignments to apply what you've learned, and be sure to discuss your thoughts and questions on the Message Boards.

Where can I find a complete listing of the available courses?
All KnowledgeWalk courses are listed in the Course Catalogue in the Admissions area. Once there, click on any course title to get more information, such as the objectives for that course, any prerequisites that may be necessary, and an overview outlining the topics that will be covered in each lesson.

What if a class I want to take is full?
Each course session has an enrollment limit. If all of the sessions for the course you wish to take are full, keep checking back at the Course Catalogue to see when it will be offered again.

Where do the courses take place?
Online courses take place on your computer and anywhere you can access the Internet. You don't need to show up anywhere at any particular time. Each course instructor designates a schedule for the class, and aside from meeting any course assignment deadlines, you are free to complete your lessons when it is convenient for you. You'll get the most from your experience if you keep up with the lesson-posting schedule, so that you can more actively participate on the Message Boards.

How much time do I get to complete a course?
Most courses are four weeks in length. Some are longer. The length of each individual course is listed on the Course Overview page. The subject matter and the depth of the course determine its length. After the last lesson is scheduled, the course will stay open for an additional week so that you and your classmates can complete all of the lessons. Students can complete a course session by signing in the same number of times that there are lessons in the course. For example, in order to complete and discuss a course that has eight lessons, the student must sign in eight times during the duration of the course session. For another two weeks thereafter, students can still access the classroom on a read-only basis, during which time there will be no instructor present.

What if I am late to enroll in a course that I want to take?
You can enroll in a course up to one week after the class begins. If the course session has already started, check to see if there is another session starting up soon. We want to make sure you have time to obtain your course materials and to take full advantage of the course, your classmates, and your instructor.

How do I ask the instructor a question?
The course Message Board is available for this purpose. It allows you to post questions and messages to both the instructor and fellow classmates. The messages are posted on an electronic "bulletin board" and are easily accessible by clicking the Enter Classroom button on the Course page.

Will I need to purchase materials to take a course?
Every course includes materials recommended by the instructor to improve your learning experience. Some of the materials are deemed "necessary" for a complete learning experience. While you are not required to buy these materials, the instructors have picked these books, CDs, or software packages because they feel that they are central to your success in a class; for example, you might have trouble learning how to program if you don't have the necessary software. In addition to the necessary material, there are also "suggested" course materials. These materials are beneficial to a student looking for a more thorough learning experience but are not required for the course. Both necessary and suggested materials will be listed on the Materials tab of the Course page.

Can I use an older edition of the book or software?
We recommend that you obtain the specific edition of a book, as recommended by your instructor. Often there are significant changes and updated features in new editions that will be relevant to your learning.

Do I have to buy the materials online?
You do not have to buy your materials online. Of course, KnowledgeWalk provides you with a convenient online shopping source for the books recommended by your instructors.

How can I change my personal information?
After you sign in, click Your KnowledgeWalk Account, and you will be taken to a page that displays all of your personal information. Here, you can make changes to any of the specific personal information fields. When you have finished making the necessary changes, click the Submit button and your personal information will be updated immediately.

What if I've forgotten my password?
Go to the KnowledgeWalk Home page, click on the "Forgot your password?" link under Sign-In, and follow the instructions. To protect your security, we will send you an email asking you to verify that you want to receive a new password; when you confirm this request, we will generate a new password for you.

How do you protect my privacy?
KnowledgeWalk ensures the privacy and security of its members. Your information will not be released to any party without your consent.