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DISTANCE EDUCATION

Frequently Asked Questions for Online Courses

What is Distance Education? Can anyone take these classes?

Distance Education courses are designed for students who desire flexibility and convenience in their studies. We offer both online and hybrid courses.  Below are the definitions of hybrid and online courses:

  • Hybrid - Some of the instruction occurs using the internet and some of the instruction is delivered during regularly scheduled classroom meetings.
  • Online - Most (or all) of the instruction is delivered at a distance using the internet.

Our courses are fully accredited and are considered equivalent to on-campus courses. Anyone who is eligible to take regular courses on campus may enroll in Distance Education courses. Consult the ECC Schedule of Classes or the college website for registration information.

  How do these courses work? How will I interact with my instructor?

Students in online courses communicate with their instructor and classmates electronically via a course website. The instructor posts such things as lectures, assignments, announcements, and other information to the site. The class may respond with questions, comments, etc. Some of our instructors are using a website for their course; others are using course management programs such as ETUDES-NG, Blackboard, and others.

  Will I be required to attend class meetings on campus?

This is determined by the instructor. Many instructors have on-campus meetings at the start of the semester, but some do not. If you are taking a course that has a scheduled first class meeting, your instructor will give you a course syllabus at that time. Instructors teaching entirely online will provide you with a syllabus online. The syllabus will include the course requirements and information about any on-campus sessions you will be expected to attend.

If my instructor holds a first class meeting, and plans to hold additional on-campus meetings later in the semester, will they be on the same day and at the same time as the first class meeting?

Usually, yes. We encourage our instructors to schedule all class meetings on the same day and at the same time as the first meeting. Check with your course instructor for that information.

  The first class meeting conflicts with another course I want to take. What should I do?

Do not enroll in both courses – choose only one.

How are examinations administered?

Again, this is determined by the course instructor. Some instructors administer exams at on-campus meetings, while others administer them online. Your instructor will provide you with details.

What software and hardware do I need? You must have at a minimum:

  • Regular access to the Internet
  • A Computer – either a PC with Windows and a Pentium processor or a Macintosh with at least System 10.0
  • A recent version of a web browser such as FireFox or Microsoft Explorer
  • An Internet Service Provider
  • An Email Address
  • Current Word Processing Software as required by the instructor

 Some courses may have additional requirements. Your instructor will give you more information.

I don’t have a computer at home. Can I still take an online course?

Yes, as long as you’re sure you’ll have regular access to a computer that’s connected to the Internet. Some of our students use computers they have at work. There are also computer labs on campus with Internet access. (Like the Computer Commons in the Library Media Technology Center, for example – more details later.)

What kind of computer skills should I have?

In order to succeed in this type of course, you must be computer literate and have experience in computer communication. That is, you should have good word processing skills, and be familiar with sending and receiving email. You should also feel comfortable navigating the World Wide Web. It is very important that you have these skills before enrolling in an online course, because it will take some time for you to become accustomed to the way an online course works. Before you know it, you will need to concentrate on the course material, and you won’t have much time to deal with technical matters. Check the “Skills You’ll Need” section in the Online Student Handbook. It will help you determine whether or not you’re ready for an online course.

I think I have the technical skills I need, but I’ve never taken a course like this. How do I know if this is right for me?

In order to succeed in a Distance Education course, you must be self-motivated and be able to work well independently with minimum supervision. You do not meet regularly with your instructor in the classroom, so you must be able to manage your time effectively and stay on track with your coursework. It’s also important that you have strong reading and writing skills. (See the “Tips for Success” section in the Online Student Handbook)

Distance Education courses are every bit as challenging as on-campus courses. In fact, surveys we’ve conducted reveal that some students find Distance Education courses more difficult.

Will I have to be online at a particular time?

Some instructors require students to be online at a particular time to take quizzes or exams, or to participate in chat sessions. You may contact your instructor for details.

What do I do if I need help?

It’s very important that you get in touch with your instructor as soon as possible if you’re having trouble. You may contact them by phone or by email. Our full-time instructors hold weekly office hours, so you can visit them in person, if you wish. A Faculty Directory is available at our office and on our website.

If you find you need help with the course material, check out the Tutoring Program administered by the ECC Learning Resources Center (LRC). Tutors help students prepare for tests, learn new concepts, improve study techniques, and answer questions about assignments. Free tutoring for ECC students is available each semester. All LRC tutors are highly trained and certified. Visit the Tutoring website for more information: http://www.elcamino.edu/library/lrc/tutoring/index.asp

What do I do if I can’t access my course online?

If for some reason you cannot access your course, email or call your instructor or the Distance Education Office. We will get in touch with our Information Technology Services department and find out what the problem is. In the future we hope to have a “Technical Help Number” students can call, but until that time, we will contact ITS on your behalf.

Will I have to buy books for the course?

Yes. Your instructor will give you information about the text materials you’ll need for your course. They are available in the El Camino College Bookstore. The El Camino College Bookstore is now open 24/7. They can ship your books to your home or you can pick them up in the store. Visit the online at http://elcamino.collegestoreonline.com/.

Does Distance Education courses transfer to other schools?

We advise you to check with a counselor at the school you plan to transfer to so you are sure the course will be accepted. Many schools accept our courses, but some do not. (By the way, your transcript will not specify that the course you took was delivered in a Distance Education format.)

What if I find I can’t continue in my course? Can I withdraw from it?

Yes, but in order to receive a “W” (Withdrawal), you must withdraw before the deadline. Consult the current ECC Schedule of Classes or visit the ECC WebServices site (https://portal.elcamino.edu/portal/main.html) for more information. Please note that dropping a course is your responsibility. Your instructor is not responsible for dropping you from your course!

  I have more questions! Who can I talk to?

Contact the Distance Education Office at DistanceEd@elcamino.edu or telephone 310-660-6453. We are here to help you!

Skills You Will Need:
Here's a list of computer and Internet skills you should have before you enroll in an online course.

Computer Skills
You should be able to:
- Cut/copy and paste within and between documents
- Use spell check
- Set page numbers and set headers/footers in a document
- Attach a document to a message
- Paste text from your word processor into an email message
- Print documents
- Run two or more programs at once and move between them
- Open and close document and directory windows
- Find files that you create on your hard drive

Internet Skills
You should be able to:
- Send and receive email
- Open an attachment to a message
- Find a web page using its address or URL
- Follow links from one web page to another
- Use the forward and backward buttons on the browser
- Print a web page
- Bookmark pages to access them later
- Use a search engine on the Internet (e.g., Yahoo!, AltaVista, etc.)
- Download documents or software from the Internet

If you feel you need to improve your skills, consider taking a course in computer and Internet skills before you enroll in an online course. ECC offers a variety of credit courses in these areas, and "not-for-credit" courses are offered through ECC's Community Education program.

Computers on campus If you're on campus and need to use a computer with Internet access, head to the Computer Commons. It is located in the Library Media Technology Center, Schauerman Library (East Wing, Lower Level), 310.660.6715. Visit the Computer Commons website for details.

Text Materials on Reserve We make every effort to place required text materials for online courses on reserve in the Library (Periodicals/Reserve Dept.) for your use. You must have an ECC Student ID to use them (see the Library Circulation Desk if you haven't previously used your ID to borrow library materials). These materials may only be used in the library - they cannot be checked out.

Accessibility El Camino College is committed to providing all students equal access to our program. In accordance with the American Disabilities Act, distance education courses, materials, and resources must be accessible to students with disabilities. Please contact our office for information about alternative formats that are available.

Tips for Success in Your Online CourseCommunicate It is very important that you communicate with your instructor and with your classmates. Log on to your course site regularly, read the postings, and contribute your own ideas and opinions.

Don't Fall Behind Since you do not see your instructor as often as you would in a traditional on-campus class, it can be very tempting to procrastinate. Don't fall prey to this! Log on regularly and complete your readings and assignments in a timely manner.

Speak Up If You Are Having Problems If you are having technical difficulties or problems understanding something in the course, you need to let your instructor know. And, if you feel comfortable doing so, post your question/concern for others to see. That way, if your classmates are having the same trouble they will also benefit.

Be Courteous Be polite to your classmates and respectful of their opinions. Keep in mind that meanings can be misinterpreted in an online environment, so word your postings carefully.

A Few Words from our Students...

"One of the best things I like about the online classes is the flexibility that it allows. I have an extremely busy schedule and being able to log in and out of the computer at my leisure allows me to keep up with my schedule."

"I really liked the online course. I found the class informative and it allowed me to do all the work on my own time."

"Distance Education has allowed me to study at my own pace, and have more time to work and travel. Since the curriculum offers a variety of classes, I have been able to take care of most of my general education requirements."

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 Last Published 7/12/10