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Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
General
- Are "Self Paced" courses considered "Distance Learning?"
- No. Self-paced courses are tought on campus, in the labs, and are not considered distance learning at De Anza. If you are accidentally enrolled in a self-paced course, please see the FAQ entitled, "I accidentally enrolled in a self-paced course; now what do I do?"
- Are distance learning courses for me?
- Find out by answering the questions in the Distance Learning Center Questionnaire.
- Can people really learn through distance learning?
- Yes! Studies indicate that there is no significant difference in the learning that takes place in distance learning courses and traditional classroom courses (Russell, 1999). One misconception about telecourses is that the television portion is the main portion of the course. That is usually not true. The "main" portion is usually the text, and the instructor plays an important role in bringing together all the components. The concern that there is less dialogue in telecourses than there is in traditional courses is valid, yet studies indicate that the advantages (accessibility, increase in self-discipline resulting in more learning) outweigh the lack of dialogue (McNabb, 1994). Many instructors and students feel that online courses offer an increase in the ability to interact, and students report that they have greater access to course materials and to the instructor during computer-delivered classes (Ward, 1999).
- How are distance learning courses different from regular courses on campus? Can anyone take them?
- The course objectives and curriculum for distance learning are the same as for on-campus classes; it is simply the method of delivery which is different. Students who take distance learning courses generally say they are the same difficulty or more difficult than courses on campus. This is because distance learning students need to be self-motivated and have good study skills. Most distance learning students are working toward a specific educational goal. Anyone who is eligible to enroll in the community college may enroll in distance learning courses (age 18 + or a high school graduate), but students are encouraged to self-select themselves based on their own background and skills. The De Anza College Schedule of Classes, the Distance Learning Student Handbook, and the Distance Learning Center homepage contain a short survey which helps students decide if distance learning courses are appropriate for them.
- How do I enroll in Distance Learning Courses?
- You should enroll using the regular college registration procedures. New distance learning students to the college should go to the Admissions and Records Office and fill out a De Anza College application, or complete the Internet Application and apply online.
Once your application is accepted you will receive a date-to-register appointment and should follow the procedures described in the registration packet mailed to you to register online, in person at the Administration building or by using the Telephone Registration System. More information about college admissions and records procedures can be found on our Student Registration page.
- I accidentally enrolled in a self-paced course; now what do I do?/li>
- If you enroll in a self-paced course, De Anza's registration database will show you as enrolled in section "55" of the course. The self paced courses are not taught through Distance Learning. These courses generally do not have on online component. If you are supposed to be enrolled in a WebCT course but do not have an account, you may have accidentally enrolled in a self-paced course. Since the user accounts for WebCT are created automatically, you will need to be enrolled in the proper course for the account to be created.
To be moved from a self-paced course to an online course, YOU MUST CONTACT ADMISSIONS AND RECORDS. A "blue addendum" form must be filled out for the switch. The blue addendum is a sheet that must be picked up at A&R, signed by the instructor, then returned to A&R. Once A&R has that sheet, they will enroll you in the correct course.
If the distance learning course you are being enrolled in has a web componant, your WebCT account will be created automatically within 1-3 business days.
- What does the Distance Learning Center at De Anza College do?
- The Distance Learning Center:
- Offers courses encompassing a variety of academic subject areas.
- Serves as a liaison between other De Anza College departments for non-traditional programs.
- Serves as a liaison between faculty and students, to support the needs of each group.
- Encourages participation from a variety of students including those in the categories of: re-entry, transfer, personal enrichment, home-bound, job advancement, working, and parenting.
- Trains instructors to be sensitive to the needs of non-traditional students.
- Maximizes uses of interpersonal, small group, and media communication systems for distribution of information such as online bulletin boards, listservs, and electronic mail (e-mail) through the Internet, telephone, audio tape, cable TV, broadcast TV, and videotape.
- Researches and integrates new technologies into distance learning programs to improve quality and services.
- Communicates program and instructional information to students effectively and in an easy-to understand manner.
- Works with other service departments at De Anza to encourage delivery of student support services to those learners who may be unable to come to campus for service.
- Promotes and explains the distance learning program to potential users through a variety of distribution systems.
- Evaluates program to respond to student/instructor needs and concerns.
- Provides leadership and cooperation in sharing organizational and program information with other groups, both within and outside of the De Anza community.
- What is Distance Education?
- Distance education describes teaching and learning which takes place with the teachers and learner separated during part or all of the instructional process. The teacher and learner are connected through some kind of educational media which conveys course content and allows for interaction. A wide variety of technologies, approaches and techniques may be used to promote the instructional process. Face to face components may be part of distance education. (Watkins, 1993). Instruction may be asynchronous (not "real time") or synchronous ("real time").
- What types of distance learning classes are offered?
- At De Anza, the distance learning courses are categorized in six types. (Other colleges may have different definitions for these terms.) All types also use textbooks or some form of printed materials; some courses combine media types.
- "Telecourses" are courses in which the video portion may be produced and distributed by an outside agency such as the PBS Adult Learning Service or locally by De Anza College and are shown on local cable television and sometimes on KCSM-TV, channel 60.
- "Teleclasses" are courses in which the De Anza instructor teaches the class live on local cable television from an electronic classroom at De Anza College. Students may call in, by telephone, to ask questions.
- "Video courses" are telecourses which are available by video cassette only (not broadcast on television).
- "Media courses" are courses which use a combination of components such as computer disks, magazine articles, selected video tapes.
- "Online courses" are taught over the Internet and require access to e-mail and/or the World Wide Web.
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