Make a connection with the instructor teaching your online course
Traditional office hours involve a student walking into a professor’s office to talk about course concepts. At Oregon State University, students learning online don’t have to come on campus for a similar experience. You also don’t have to wait until there is a problem to reach out.
Virtual office hours are offered in many Oregon State online courses, and they give you the opportunity to meet with faculty in real time to talk about your course, your career and more.
“Office hours aren’t just for when you’re stuck,” said Cyndie McCarley, associate director of instructional design for Oregon State Ecampus. “They’re also a great way to test ideas, get early feedback and save time. Even a quick check-in can help you feel more confident and avoid rework later.”
What are virtual office hours?
Virtual office hours, delivered through online tools like Zoom or Microsoft Teams, are meetings that allow you to talk with your instructor in real time.
Many office hours are one-on-one discussions, but some faculty offer a unique spin on the concept. For example, in one OSU online course, students sign up for virtual meetings to work through assignments with other students and the instructor.
Every course is different, but your course site in Canvas (OSU’s online learning platform) should outline how office hours work and when they are available. Faculty members may also remind you.
“I encourage my students to attend virtual office hours in the first weeks of the course,” said McCarley, who also teaches a graduate-level class on online course development. “In my weekly overview announcements, I pitch what others have gained from the virtual chats, and that usually opens the door.”
Why should you attend office hours?
Students often use office hours to get answers to questions about an assignment or a course concept. But there are plenty of other reasons to attend these meetings.
You can ask broader questions about the discipline or get advice about how to build your skills through resources like tutoring or practice assignments. In each meeting, you’ll build a relationship with someone who has experience in the field you’re preparing to enter. Together, you could explore graduate school and internship opportunities.
“I reframe office hours as ‘conversation corner’ and open them up to more than just course questions,” said McCarley. “My course includes graduate students who are often interested in teaching online themselves, so I invite them to use that time for broader conversations.
“Not everyone attends, but those who do often want to talk about professional development or career opportunities tied to their teaching goals. Academic questions come up too, but the conversations tend to be more expansive,” she said.
Oregon State student Ray La Point encourages fellow online students to think beyond course questions when attending virtual office hours.
“Ask your instructor if they know of students or faculty doing related work. Often, instructors are happy to make introductions or point you toward academic and professional opportunities,” he said.
What if office hours aren’t right for you?
Even if you don’t enjoy live meetings, you can still work directly with Oregon State faculty through email, chat or message boards. What matters is finding ways to ask questions, seek guidance and build relationships.
“You do not have to be face-to-face to make a connection or get help,” said Ella Wilcox, who is pursuing her Oregon State bachelor’s degree online. “There are many ways online students communicate effectively with their instructors, from emails to virtual office hours. Every instructor is different, but they are all willing to work with you and want to see you succeed.”
Find out more about learning online with Oregon State and explore the resources available to support you on your journey to a degree.
