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What is the definition
of distance learning?
From the Distance Education: A Consumer's
Guide...What distance learners need to know, published by Western
Cooperative for Educational Telecommunications: "Distance
education is instruction that occurs when the instructor and
student are separated by distance or time, or both." Distance
learning can be by way of video, Internet, 2 way TV, or with
print media.
How
do I know if distance learning is right for me?
One indicator is the Self
Test. This test may give you insights as to your learning
style.
You are also encouraged to read all the FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions) to learn more about what can help
you succeed.
How
do I register for a course?
The first step in registering for any course
offered in our catalog is to contact the institution offering
the course. The course contact information is listed with the
course information and the name of the institution is linked
to the institution’s contact information. There are several
factors that will need to be taken into account in determining
what paperwork you may need to fill out. The institutions have
personnel that can answer any questions you have, no matter
where you are currently living.
Can an
inmate take a distance-learning course?
Yes, an inmate of any State of Florida jail
or prison can take print (correspondence) courses. Print (correspondence)
courses are the only distance education courses available for
Florida inmates. Print courses use printed materials such as
textbooks, study guides, supplemental readings and other course
materials to present course content.
Do I have
to apply for admission to the institution?
Whether you need to apply for admission will
vary and depend on several factors.
- Are you planning on taking several courses from this institution
or just one?
- Does the new institution offer special student
registration for those interested in only taking a couple
of courses (up to 12 hours) and not completely transferring
to the new institution?
- What are the rules of your home institution?
What is the
cost to take a distance-learning course?
The institution that offers the course sets the tuition cost.
You can visit the institution’s web site for specific
tuition information.
Are
these courses transferable?
Again, it will depend on your home institution but in most
cases the courses are transferable due to the common course
numbering system in Florida. As you plan your program of study,
seek the help of an advisor and consult the catalog of your
intended transfer institution.
What
is common course numbering?
Prefixes and numbers that were assigned by Florida’s
Statewide Course Numbering System identify courses in this catalog.
This common numbering system is used by all public postsecondary
institutions in Florida and by two participating private institutions.
The major purpose of this system is to facilitate the transfer
of courses between participating institutions.
Can
students with disabilities take distance-learning courses?
Students with disabilities can definitely take distance-learning
courses. Requests for reasonable accommodations for disabilities
or limitations should be made prior to the date of the program
or activity for which it is needed. Please do so as early as
possible prior to the program or activity so that proper arrangements
can be made. Persons with disabilities who require alternative
means for communication of program information (Braille, large
print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the program coordinator
or the office giving the program. Requests are kept confidential.
Print (Correspondence)
Courses FAQ:
What is a print course?
Print courses are also known as correspondence courses or
text-based distance learning courses. Print courses use printed
materials such as textbooks, study guides, supplemental readings
and other course materials to present course content. No additional
equipment is needed for print courses.
Two-way TV courses
FAQ:
How do Two-way TV courses different from
face-to-face courses?
Two-way TV (or interactive conferencing) courses are usually
taught in a specially equipped conference room. The instructor
and students are usually located in two different places and
communicate through interactive video and audio equipment. The
Two-way TV course is similar to face-to-face course except that
you will see your instructor through TV instead of face by face.
Online
Courses FAQ:
What kind of equipment do I need to take
online courses?
The technology requirement of the online course will depend
on the nature of the course. Please refer to the institution’s
web site for the detailed information on technology requirement.
For example, a higher grade of computer will be needed for a
graphic arts course when compared to that needed for a writing
course.
Do online courses limit the number of
students who can enroll?
Like a traditional classroom, online courses have a limited
number of seats. It is important for you to enroll as soon as
possible to maximize your chances of getting into your chosen
course before it fills up. Often courses fill up before the
registration period is complete—don't assume that because
there is still time left to register for a given semester, there
are still openings in all courses.
What does it mean to be a student in an
online course?
In many ways, taking an online course is like taking a face-to-face
course. Both feature individual assignments and cooperative
group projects, and both require you to take exams to show that
you are learning the course material. The instructor and students
interact via e-mail and web pages.
How does participation work in an online
course?
Discussion: You will be asked to spend time participating
in online discussions with the instructor and the other students.
These discussions, in which you will respond to other students'
comments, play a central role in the learning experiences. Students
who might find raising their hand in an in-class discussion
difficult, find it easier in an online course to participate
in discussions.
Team projects: You may also be asked to participate
in team projects. Team members will rely on you to participate
and contribute to the projects.
Homework: You will be expected to do the same amount
of homework you might do in a face-to-face class. You are responsible
for keeping up with the workload so that you can be an active
participant in online discussions.
An online course is a unique opportunity to meld your individual
learning pace and style with a structured course timeline.
Unlike the situation in most face-to-face courses, where you
attend class, listen to lectures, and perhaps not play an active
role in discussion, the assignments in the online courses require
your participation. Keeping up with reading and other homework
is very important. It will be harder for you to contribute meaningful,
timely comments to the online discussions if you fall behind.
By setting aside specific times each week for engaging in course
participation activities you can stay on top of the course work.
How often will I need to be online?
A good rule of thumb is to log on at least daily to check
announcements and review online materials. How long you need
to remain online depends on the activities for that session.
Check each course schedule to see when certain assignments
are due, when discussions are held, and when projects begin
and end. Each course offers its own explicit schedules. Your
presence in the course will be apparent when you participate
in discussions and do online assignments. It is crucial that
you keep up to date by reading all lecture materials and posted
comments before interacting online.
The following lists illustrate examples of tasks you will
conduct online and off-line:
Online tasks:
- finding and printing assignments and lecture notes
- reading or downloading online resources such as library
materials & web sites
- e-mail interaction with professor
- online discussion groups or e-mail exchange with other
enrolled students
Off-line tasks:
- reading assignments, textbooks, articles, etc.
- working on problems
- synthesizing materials and crafting outlines
- writing papers (that can be attached to e-mail upon completion)
How do I take exams in an online course?
Most instructors post tests online, but some use paper-and-pencil
testing. Contact the institution that provides the online course
for more information.
Is an online course like a correspondence
course?
No. Some institutions have online courses that are like correspondence
courses in that the student has a year to complete the work
and works independently. However, most of the institutions try
to capture the excitement and learning environment of a face-to-face
classroom in the online course. Most institutions require student-to-student
and student-to-professor interaction, and those requirements
impose upon our students a need to work on a regular schedule.
Are there tips for succeeding in online
courses?
Flexibility is built into online courses. You can log on when
it is convenient for you, but there are some things to consider:
- Although online courses are asynchronous (i.e. people are
not online at the same time), there are deadlines. You will
need to e-mail individual assignments on time.
- You will need to add to discussions and reply to other
students' comments.
Are there "rules" for participating
in an online course?
Please see "Online
Etiquette" and check with the professor administering
your course for any special institutional rules.
Is there any monetary assistance for long
distance online learners?
You do not have to be online on your computer the entire time
you're working on an online course. In fact, the majority of
your work can be done off-line which can save the student money.
Here are some examples of tasks to perform online and off-line.
Online Tasks:
- finding and printing assignments and lecture notes
- using online resources such as library materials &
web sites
- exchange e-mail with professor
- participate in online discussions or exchange e-mail with
other registered students
Off-line Tasks:
- reading assignments, textbooks, articles, etc.
- working on computational problems
- synthesizing materials and crafting outlines
- writing papers (that can be attached to e-mail upon completion.)
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