Our experience has shown that your success as a student depends on your careful attention to these expectations, and to your diligence in following through with them.

We find this area so significant to student success that later in your classroom orientation we will ask you to confirm your understanding of what you read here. So, in preparation for a successful program, you need to keep the following things in mind.

Manage and Protect Your Time

The beauty of an online program is that it fits nicely into your busy life. You don’t have to travel to class and spend time away from other important things. The lack of a physical classroom means that it is more flexible, less stressful, and kinder to your schedule. This is probably why you were drawn to the program in the first place.

Unfortunately, the lack of physical classroom is also one of the primary drawbacks of online education. Drop-out rates are higher in most typical online courses and it is easy for students to become overwhelmed if they are not adequately prepared for the time demands. We spend time preparing our students for the realities of online learning. This is one reason our attrition rates are low.

You need to have more time management skill and self starting characteristics in an online program then you do in a traditional program. People who lack the skills get behind and find it difficult to catch up. All the positive energy and feelings they started the program was dissipate into a negative experience.

We will try our best to not let this happen to you. Our programs are structured with regularly scheduled due dates to make it easy to keep up with us, or ahead of the schedule. If you get behind, we will be aware and someone will contact you to encourage you, support you, and help you get back on track.

Plan now to manager time well so you can keep up with the work. You’ll need to build a work routine that takes into account the time demands of work, family, community and, if appropriate, your religious practice. We encourage you to treat your study time like a scheduled appointment--put it on your calendar. This will help you to remain focused. We know it is easy to quit when you get behind. We want you to be successful and enjoy the program.

Actively participate

You’ll undoubtedly meet some dynamic people in your classes. The interactive nature of your classroom is a wonderful means of making these people part of your network. One of the most important benefits of education is the extension of your professional networks to include your classmates.

Understand the limitations of online communication

Each virtual classroom is a public place. All the normal laws and etiquette associated with public places and brick – and – mortar education institutions apply to our virtual classrooms. There are great benefits to asynchronous, online communication. There are also a few pitfalls.

To avoid these pitfalls, be mindful of what and how you communicate through the online media. A good rule of thumb is to communicate online the way to communicate in the face – two – face environment. Check your tone. Double check your recipient list. Speak virtually as though you’re recipient is seated across the desk from you.

Be patient, courteous, and professional

We hold ourselves and our instructors to very high standards. We pride ourselves on our high faculty response time rates and our student feedback mechanisms. We have developed these tools and expectations as a result of constant feedback from students like you and from constant supervision by program directors. We do, however, want you to know that sometimes we make a mistake or overlook an important detail. Please be patient with us and remember that we’re here to help you succeed.

When you find it necessary to bring an issue or concern to our attention, please use the escalation procedures noted below. Escalation procedures sound like the runaround, but at CIOMIT they are the way to get your problem attended to by the right people and in a timely manner.
• If you have a problem with an instructor, first communicate with instructor, then, if it is still unresolved e-mail Mr. Daniel Parker.
• Most other issues can be resolved by emailing Mr. Parker directly.

How can you help us improve

We take our students feedback very seriously. You are experiencing a curriculum and classroom atmosphere that Is radically new to the music industry.

At the end of the third or fourth week of every class which you are enrolled, we will survey you about your experience in the classroom thus far. We closely monitor classrooms to ensure timely instructor feedback to you. We track students’ experiences with the virtual classroom platform and its functionality to be sure that you are not getting bogged down by the technology.

At the conclusion of every class we will survey you again to understand of what we can improve in the curriculum, the instructors teaching style, the administrative and students support services, the classroom platform, and a variety of other areas that are critical to your success.
You will help us continually improve our programs – for your benefit and that of the students who will come after you – when you participate thoughtfully and candidly in the end of – class evaluations.