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SOLO: Student Online Learning Orientation

SOLO is an introduction to online learning that addresses effective online learning strategies and provides tips for using Canvas. It also highlights services and resources that support your journey as an online learner. SOLO was created with students in mind and provides valuable information that can continue to be accessed throughout your program of study. SOLO is self-paced and can be completed in less than 2 hours. All students taking an online course are encouraged to participate in SOLO prior to beginning their course(s), and SOLO completion is required by several online programs. Upon completion, a score will be entered into your official records and is valid for 5 years. *Note: Students will receive instructions for accessing SOLO soon after admission to the program/major.*

Course Objectives

  1. Describing the characteristics of successful online learners
  2. Identifying strategies for learning effectively in an online environment
  3. Navigating Canvas and troubleshooting technology issues
  4. Utilizing available resources that support UNF online learners

Programs/Majors Requiring SOLO Completion

Bachelors: B.A. in Early Childhood Education: Early Childhood Development
B.S. in Nursing: RN-BSN Bridge Track
B.G.S. in Integrative General Studies
Masters: M. Ed. in Elementary Education
M.S. in Nursing
M.S. in Nutrition and Dietetics: Professional Studies
Doctorate:
Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
Doctor of Health Administration
Doctor of Nursing Practice:
• Post-MSN DNP
• Post-MSN DNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)

SOLO for Students

Icon of a Question MarkListed below are the most common questions asked about SOLO: Student Online Learning Orientation.

Icon of Speech BubblesIf you have additional questions, please reach out to UNF Online, unfonline@unf.edu.

Icon of a Support AssistantFor technical assistance, contact the UNF Helpdesk at helpdesk@unf.edu or (904) 620-HELP.

  • How do I self-enroll in SOLO?

    After registering for your first online course, you will receive an email from UNF Online containing a self-enrollment invitation. This invitation will have directions for how to successfully self-enroll and access SOLO in Canvas, expectations for the course, and helpful contact information.

    Instructions for self-enrolling can also be found here.

    Note: You can access SOLO at any time after joining the course by logging into Canvas and selecting “SOLO Student Online Learning Orientation” in Courses, located on the left menu.

  • Where can I find the invitation email to self-enroll in SOLO?

    All invitation emails are sent to your UNF email account through the official UNF Communications system.

    Students can view My UNF Communications in myWings by following these instructions:

    • In myWings, on the Student tab, find the My Records channel.
    • In the My Records channel, select My UNF Communications.
    • This will display the UNF Communications Sent screen.
    • Look for communications sent from UNF Online by selecting " UNF
    • Online" in the Department: drop down menu.
    • Select a broader date range by changing the Start and End Date fields.
    • The date the email was sent to you is displayed in the Requested column.

    To view the email content: click on the hyperlink in the Description column.

    • The earliest dated email contains complete instructions for accessing SOLO.
    • If SOLO was completed, an email titled "You've Completed SOLO (Student Online Learning Orientation)!" will be present.
    • If no email titled "You've Completed SOLO (Student Online Learning Orientation)!" exists, SOLO has not been completed.
  • How will I know when I have successfully completed SOLO?

    A congratulatory email is sent from UNF Online to all students who complete SOLO. Congratulatory emails are sent to the students’ UNF email account and logged in UNF’s Communications System as part of their permanent record. If you have further questions about your completion status, please contact UNF Online, unfonline@unf.edu.

  • How long does it take to complete SOLO?

    SOLO should take less than 2 hours to complete.

  • How long does my completion of SOLO remain valid?

    Your SOLO completion score is valid for 5 years and is reflected on your permanent record.

  • Is there an exemption process for SOLO?

    Students may petition to be exempt from the SOLO requirement if there are significant circumstances which make this requirement unnecessary. The petition process can be found below.

    Exceptional circumstances may include, but are not limited to:

    • Completion of a fully-online degree program from a regionally accredited higher ed institution.
    • Employment as a teacher of online courses at a regionally accredited higher ed institution.
    • Employment as a developer of online courses at a regionally accredited higher ed institution.

    Note: Documentation of the circumstances must be attached to all petitions.



    The Process

    • Complete this form with your full name, UNF N-number, and email.
    • Complete the section where you state your reason why an exception should be made and indicate the type of documentation you will submit.
    • Submit your supplemental documentation to the form.
    • Submit the completed online form.
    Note: You will receive notification of the outcome via email to your UNF email account within 72 hours.

    Please Note:

    • Successful completion of distance learning courses is not a sufficient circumstance for exemption from the requirement.
    • Reviewers may request further information or an explanation of the applicable circumstances. Insufficient documentation will delay processing and a final decision.
    • UNF Online has final approval/disapproval authority.

    Possible Outcomes

    Waiver/Exemption Approved
    Indicates the student successfully petitioned to be exempt from the SOLO requirement. An exemption score will be entered in the student's official records, resulting in a 5 year exemption from this requirement.

    Waiver/Exemption Not Approved
    Indicates a student did not successfully petition to be exempted from the SOLO requirement. The student is required to complete SOLO: Student Online Learning Orientation prior to taking an online course at UNF.

SOLO for Faculty

Icon of a Question MarkListed below are the most common questions asked about SOLO: Student Online Learning Orientation.

Icon of Speech BubblesIf you have additional questions, please reach out to UNF Online, unfonline@unf.edu

Icon of a Support AssistantFor technical assistance, contact CIRT at cirtlab@unf.edu or (904) 620-3927.

  • Which students have access to SOLO?

    All students who have registered for an online course have access to SOLO and are encouraged to complete SOLO prior to the start of term. However, individual faculty determine if SOLO is required for their students and enforce completion, if so.

    Students enrolled in an online accelerated-term program and a few select majors are required to complete SOLO before beginning their programs.

    Students admitted to these programs/majors are required to complete SOLO before beginning their courses.

    Bachelors: B.S. in Nursing: RN-BSN Bridge Track
    Masters: M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics
    Doctorate:
    Doctor of Clinical Nutrition
    Doctor of Nursing Practice:
    • BSN-DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
    • BSN-DNP Nurse Anesthetist
    • Post-MSN DNP
    • Post-MSN DNP (Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner)

    Note: Students will receive instructions for accessing SOLO soon after admission to the program/major.

  • How are students notified about SOLO?

    When a student registers for their first online course at UNF, they receive an introductory email from UNF Online with instructions for how to self-enroll in the course.

    The introductory email is also logged in the UNF Communications System. Students can view the email by accessing my UNF Communications.

    Directions for viewing UNF Communications can be found in the 'SOLO for Students' section of this page, under the question "Where can I find the invitation email to self-enroll in SOLO?"

    Note: Any subsequent online course registrations for the student do not result in an email from UNF Online.

  • How will a student know if SOLO is required?

    Every course instructor is responsible for informing students if SOLO is a requirement for their course. The introductory email from UNF Online does not indicate if SOLO is required for a particular course or program. That communication must come from the instructor.

    Instructors can create a Canvas announcement, or send an email directly from the SOLO Status Roster in Faculty Self-Service. Instructors are encouraged to include SOLO completion in their syllabus and/or create an assignment around SOLO completion.

  • How does the enrollment process work?

    An introductory email is sent to students after they have registered for their first online course at UNF. In the introductory email, students are notified to self-enroll in Canvas.

    Students remain in SOLO until they un-enroll themselves. This allows them to continue to access SOLO resources throughout their time at UNF.

  • Can a student self-enroll in SOLO prior to registering for a DL course?

    Not currently, as the process only identifies students registering for their first DL course at UNF. The registration action initiates UNF Online’s communication with the student.

  • How can I verify that a student has completed SOLO?

    Faculty are able to view a SOLO Status Roster for each of their distance learning courses in Faculty Self-Service. The SOLO Status Roster provides filtering to allow faculty to quickly identify students who have not completed SOLO and to email students individually or as a group.

    To view the current status of students in your classes relative to SOLO:

    1. Select "SOLO Status" on the Faculty & Advisors Menu in Faculty Self Service.
    2. Select a Term. Select a CRN.
    3. View the SOLO status for each student enrolled or waitlisted for the selected course section.
    4. Use the "Status Filter" to filter the list to see students who have "Not Completed" SOLO.
    5. Conveniently email all the students displayed by copying and pasting the email addresses shown in the "Email Address List" box at the bottom of the page into any email application.
    6. For additional information, view the "Help" menu in the upper right corner.
  • Can I enforce the completion of SOLO?

    Until the last day of drop/add, faculty can choose to enforce completion of SOLO by requesting an administrative drop for students who have not completed SOLO.

    The administrative drop process can be utilized at any time during drop/add. Faculty are encouraged to complete requests for administrative drops by noon of the last day of drop/add to allow for processing. The utilization of administrative drop procedures is determined by the department/college.

    Note: For faculty that want to enforce the completion of SOLO, it is recommended that the requirement and due date be reflected in the course syllabus and communicated to students via email from the instructor prior to the beginning of the term.

  • Who manages SOLO and its updates?
    SOLO is managed by UNF Online and undergoes updates and edits based on student feedback. SOLO was last updated in June 2022 to reflect current support services and resources for online learners. SOLO now includes videos from students and faculty, an introduction to growth mindset, a tutorial on netiquette, and tips for navigating the online learning environment.

Self-Enrolling for SOLO in Canvas

To enroll in SOLO, visit the 'SOLO: Student Online Learning Orientation' self-enroll course in Canvas.

Step 1

At the log-in screen enter your UNF username (N#) and password. Your username and password will be the same used on myWings.

Step 2

If this is the first time you have logged into Canvas at UNF, you must agree to the Terms of Use. After reviewing the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, mark the 'I agree' box and click Submit.

Step 3

The ‘You are enrolling in SOLO’ page will appear. To complete your enrollment, click ‘Enroll in Course’.

Step 4

The ‘You have successfully enrolled in SOLO’ page will appear. Select 'Go to the Course'.

Step 5

The ‘SOLO’ home page will appear. You can work in the course now or return at any time to review course materials.



To access SOLO at any time after you have enrolled in the course, log-in to Canvas from https://canvas.unf.edu and select 'SOLO' in the Courses menu on the left.