In online courses, students "attend" class by accessing the class web pages and completing assignments according to the class schedule. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates via e-mail and online discussion forums. Online courses are NOT self-paced, independent study courses. Students are required to complete assignments according to the class schedule, to maintain regular contact with the instructor, and to participate in online class discussions.
Additionally, in most online classes, instructors will host live classroom sessions at specific times throughout the week. You should make every attempt to attend these sessions as they provide an opportunity to interact with your instructor, dive deeper into the course materials, and meet with your classmates.