How do MWSU online courses work?

The vast majority of distance education courses at Missouri Western State University are offered 100% online. Some courses are a blend of online instruction and face-to-face instruction. A few distance education courses are offered via synchronous video-conferencing.

Fully online courses allow students to complete college courses at times and places that meet their schedule and environment. Students are generally able to complete assignments from anywhere there is an internet connection and can do so with some flexibility of when the work is done.

Blended courses require occasional face-to-face meetings for instruction and/or interaction with other students that is most effective in a face-to-face situation.

Synchronous video-conferencing is where students are at multiple locations participating with the instructor and other students through video-conferencing.

Are online classes self-paced? Do online courses have deadlines?

Missouri Western’s online classes are not self-paced and are as demanding and rigorous as traditional face-to-face courses. Each course has a beginning and end date, and are actively led by an instructor which will provide deadlines for assigned homework, reading, and online discussions. The Instructor will provide specific instructions for submitting assignments either through the course web site, e-mail, regular mail, or fax. You will be expected to complete all online course activities by the specified due date.

Do I have to sign on at a particular time?

Most courses allow you to sign in at any time of the day or night. You will still need to meet the course due dates and deadlines and will need to plan your schedule accordingly. Many instructors in use Zoom for online office hours. For more information on Zoom, click here.

I have a disability, is it possible to get accommodations for an online course?

To request accommodations for an online course, you must first contact the Accessibility Resource Center at (816) 271-4330 or email access@missouriwestern.edu.

Does academic integrity apply to online courses?

Online assignments are subject to the same standards of integrity that apply in traditional face-to-face classes. It is cheating to copy from others or from outside sources on any online assignment, quiz or exam (unless otherwise specified by the instructor). Your online instructor may use Turnitin Anti Plagiarism software to verify that submitted work is your own. For more information on academic integrity, please see the Student Handbook.

How do I get my books and course materials?

You are responsible for getting your textbook and course materials for your online course(s). Textbook information can be obtained from the MWSU Bookstore. You can also obtain textbook and course materials from the course syllabus, available inside your Canvas course one week before the start of the course. Textbooks can be purchased from the bookstore.

If I have difficulty with assignments, whom do I contact?

If you have difficulty with your assignments, you should first contact your instructor for help. The Center for Academic Support may also provide assistance with your assignments. You should always start your assignments early in case a problem or questions arise. This will give you enough time to e-mail your instructor or contact the Center for Academic Support for assistance. 

What are the five steps to online success?

1. Know Your Course – Embrace the syllabus, familiarize yourself with the course requirements, purchase your textbooks and required course supplies, and become familiar with Canvas.

2. Communicate – Engage in course conversations and discussions with your instructor and peers. Are you confused? Ask your instructor for clarification. Use appropriate etiquette for all your communications.

3. Manage Your Time – Procrastination is the downfall of many online students. Don’t fall victim to procrastination; plan your study times and stick to them. Set deadlines for yourself. You must be self-disciplined and self-motivated.

4. Be Tech Ready – You need to have basic technical skills to succeed. These include creating and editing documents, navigating the internet and file management.

5. Be Persistent – Be aware of technical or academic issues and seek assistance if necessary. Missouri Western has many student support services available to assist you.

What is Canvas?

Canvas is the Learning Management System (LMS) used at MWSU to deliver online and hybrid courses and to enhance traditional face-to-face courses. It is an innovative, user-friendly LMS that expands the possibilities for teaching and learning. It is likely that you will use Canvas in one of your classes at MWSU.

Where do I go to log into Canvas?

There are links to Canvas available on the Student Resources page of the MWSU intranet. or you can type "griff.vn/canvas" into your browser.

Once I’m registered, am I able to access my Canvas course?

Online classes become available the first day of the semester. At that time, you can log into Canvas and access the course syllabus.

Why is my course not showing when I log into Canvas?

If you have registered late, your course may not be available for 24 hours. If it is the first day of the semester and you still do not see your course(s), please contact the Help Desk at 816-271-4555

How can I email my instructor privately?

Once you are logged into Canvas, click the “Inbox” link to access Canvas’s Messaging system. In the “To” box, select your instructor (type his/her name and then select their name from the drop down list); type a subject in the “Subject” box; compose your message and send.

Where can I get help with my Canvas login?

Contact the Help Desk at 816-271-4555 or visit the Help Desk office in Hearnes 150. Help Desk hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Where can I get help with Canvas?

If you need help with Canvas, simply click the Help Menu in the right hand side of the Canvas window. There you will find access to a support hotline that is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You will also find a “Chat” tool for accessing Canvas Support, as well as, Canvas Guides that provide step by step directions that can be printed.

Which browsers work best with Canvas?

Canvas supports the last two versions of a browser release. For the best user experience, use the newest version of Chrome, Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox or Safari. We have seen some minor issues with Internet Explorer. For the most up-to-date information on browsers please go to the Student Guide on Supported Browsers.

Can I access Canvas courses on my smartphone or tablet?

Yes! Read the Mobile apps guide for smartphones (iOS and Android) and the Tablet guide for iPads and Androids. Canvas apps are free in iTunes and Google Play.

Canvas by Instructure Android Device Guide

Canvas by Instructure iOS Device Guide

Note: Although Canvas works on mobile devices, there may be an occasional lesson or quiz that are best viewed on a computer.