Virtual Classroom FAQs

What is the “virtual classroom?”
ESI’s Virtual Classroom is where students can attend a fully instructor-led, live class session completely online. Using Centra’s virtual classroom platform, students attend sessions together in real-time online where in addition to hearing instructor lectures, they participate in group discussion, interactive exercises, and team work – just like in the “brick and mortar” classroom.

Do I need special software to participate?
No. ESI’s virtual classroom runs on both Mac and Windows operating systems. However, there are settings on your computer that may need to be adjusted to fully access the platform. You can tell if your computer is ready by accessing a quick and easy system check provided by Centra.

Do I need special equipment to participate?
Besides a computer, the only equipment you need to participate is an inexpensive headset with microphone readily available in most computer and electronics stores. This is required so you can listen to the instructor and other students and speak to them as well.

How is the audio portion of the class provided?
ESI’s Virtual Classroom uses “Voice Over Internet” so there is no need to dial into a separate telephone conference. Audio is transmitted directly over the internet through your computer.

What courses does ESI deliver in the virtual classroom?
Currently, ESI’s foundational course in project management – Managing Projects – is offered through the Virtual Classroom. Additional courses may be offered in the future.

Is Managing Projects in the virtual classroom fully equivalent to the traditional classroom course?
Yes. Both versions carry the same PDU’s, teach to exactly the same learning objectives, and require the same amount of “seat time.”

What is the schedule for the Virtual Classroom?
To provide you the greatest flexibility, ESI offers class sessions in three different schedule lengths of 1-, 4-, and 6-week durations. The course is broken out into 90-minute modules with a maximum of three modules scheduled on a single day.

Is any “offline work” required?
Yes. There are short reading assignments and exercises between some of the modules. Offline assignments are reviewed as a group during the next online session.

What is the attendance policy for ESI’s Virtual Classroom?
Just as with ESI’s traditional classroom events, students are expected to attend all sessions to receive course credit. However, you may miss one 90-minute session without having to make-up that material. A total of two 90-minute sessions may be missed and still receive course credit, as long as students access the session recording and log-in for the entire session’s length. Missing more than two 90-minutes sessions requires attending the entire course again to receive course credit.

How are course materials provided?
All course materials are provided online available for download to your computer or for printing. Course materials are available prior to the start of your course, as soon as you receive your email from the Centra system with your log-in information for your specific session.

Are course sessions recorded and available after class?
Yes. All sessions are recorded and available for unlimited playback up to one year after the class concludes.

Is there a final exam and if so, how is it administered?
Yes. Just as in the traditional classroom version, passing a final exam is required to receive course credit. Students access the final exam through ESI’s personalized training portal, MyESI. If you don’t already have a MyESI account, instructions will be provided during class to sign up for a free account before the class concludes. Students have until midnight of the following calendar day to access the exam, and one hour to complete it once its accessed. Your score will be posted to your MyESI account and only accessible by you.