An online campus is a website or a collection of websites that represent a college’s online course offerings and methods for completing them. Typically, the term “online campus” refers to a central website where a student can submit course work, communicate with other students, and perform other tasks similar to those performed on a physical campus. The online campus may have materials for classes, videos of lectures, and other information. This type of website is also commonly used by students to access grades, course offerings, and other administrative information.
In many ways, online universities try to virtualize the experience of attending a physical university. In this case, the term campus is used to contrast the offerings of a traditional university with those of an online university. Even though an online university can usually be accessed from any computer, the term “campus” helps to establish the university as a bounded institution rather than an amorphous collection of social connections. People log in and visit the campus on a regular basis because they attend school, which contributes to the development of a sense of community.
In terms of functionality, an online campus is frequently the location where coursework is completed and submitted. Students may download and complete assignments on their own computers, but work is typically submitted via the university’s online website rather than via email or other means of communication. This type of website is also where students go when they need to access special online materials. As a result, the online campus serves as a central hub for all university students.
Certain administrative functions are frequently performed via the online campus. Students can frequently see what courses are available and sign up for them. This website may also have information about admissions, technical assistance, and other services. Although there is no formal definition for the term “campus,” it is commonly used to refer to a set of functions available only to those who are already affiliated with the school. However, because there is no formal definition for the term, some universities use it differently.
While most of the functions of an online campus are academic, this type of website may also include social functions. Even if they never see each other face to face, students may communicate directly with one another through the campus or be introduced to one another through taking the same class. This type of website may provide students with the friendship and camaraderie found on physical university campuses, depending on how the campus is organized.