What is “Distance Education”?
Distance Education is a planned teaching/learning experience in which the teacher and students are separated by physical distance and/or time and use a wide spectrum of media to communicate with each other. NCC provides two modalities of distance education: the telecourse and online approaches.The College also supports mixed delivery courses which are regularly scheduled courses with an online component.
Distance Education courses are comparable to courses taught in a face-to-face classroom environment at NCC: they are taught by NCC instructors, carry the same number of credits, can be applied to degree or elective requirements and are accepted for transfer.
It is important for students to realize that courses offered through our Distance Education modalities are NOT easier than courses provided through face-to-face instruction. Students need to be motivated and disciplined and they may be required to submit assignments, participate in threaded discussions and complete examinations on previously announced deadlines.
How can I register for Distance Education courses?
Students who have been admitted to Nassau Community College can register for Distance Education courses as part of the normal registration process. Certain populations of students will be able to register through our Student Information and Registration System (often referred to as “NCC Banner”). This self-serve option allows students to register without standing in line or coming to the campus. If you are able to use the self-serve option, a prior meeting with an academic advisor is not required, although it is always recommended. If you are allowed to use self-serve registration, schedule to see your advisor well before your time to register. No appointment is usually necessary, but be sure to visit the Advisement Center Web site or call your academic program department for available times. Once you are able to register, login and register. Your registration priority window is based on your earned credits, it gives you an opportunity to select courses before other students with fewer credits. The longer you wait to register for your courses, the more restricted course availability will be. It is imperative that you register as soon as you are allowed and before the next credit priority begins.
In addition, students who are only registering for Distance Education courses may call the Office for Distance Education to register by phone (516.572.7883). Normal office hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Your course selections will be submitted to the Registrar and a bill will be sent to you for payment.
How are Distance Education courses being offered at Nassau Community College?
At this time, Nassau Community College provides two modalities for distance education courses. Computer-based courses use a Web-based course management system called Blackboard Campus Edition (or Blackboard CE) to offer courses in a completely online program. The College also offers a wide variety of courses using a telecourse-based approach. This modality uses pre-recorded video and/or audio programs, and may also include Internet-accessible materials to provide access to lecture materials.
What do I need to access the course?
Students in the online and mixed delivery courses MUST HAVE access to a computer which has a connection to the Internet. The computer can be a PC or a Macintosh. The Internet connection can be a modem or cable. In addition, access requires an Internet browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape or Safari (for Mac users).
Students in telecourse-based courses may need access to video and/or audio playback devices, as well as have computer access.
Access to computers and audiovisual devices is also available in our College Library for students who need additional support.
How are online courses offered at Nassau Community College?
Nassau Community College uses a Web-based course management system called Blackboard Campus Edition to offer courses completely online. Blackboaed CE runs on an Internet server located on the NCC campus.
You can connect to your online course from anywhere you have access to a computer with a connection to the Internet: at home, on campus, at a library, on the road or at work. However, you might experience difficulties if the machine uses a firewall, which is software that protects a machine from hackers and computer viruses. Firewalls are popular in work environments and at libraries.
Are online courses for me?
To be successful in an online course.
• You should be comfortable using a computer.
• You should understand how to navigate the World Wide Web.
• You should be able to communicate well in writing.
• You should be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
• You need to be able to commit from 4 to 15 hours per week per course.
• You need to be willing to participate in the virtual classroom discussions.
•You should be willing and able to complete assignments on time.
How is an online course conducted?
Generally speaking, a letter will be sent to all registered students about a week before the class is scheduled to begin. At that time, students will be informed about how to log into the course.
Blackboard CE gives each instructor a wide variety of tools to create an online course. This includes different ways to communicate with students, present course materials, give online quizzes and distribute assignments to students. Some of the Blackboard CE tools that might be included in your online course are:
• Discussion Bulletin Board. Generally speaking, this tool is used so that everyone in the class can participate in a discussion regarding specific topics.
• E-mail. This is internal to Blackboard CE. You are not required to have an e-mail account with any other e-mail provider.
• Chat Room
• Calendar. The instructor can use this tool to remind students of upcoming critical dates.
• Syllabus
• Assignment DropBox. A place for students to see upcoming assignments, view instruction and drop off their assignments.
• Quizzes. There are many options available to instructors who elect to use the online quizzing tool. Some quizzes might be timed. Some you might be able to take more than once.
Since each instructor can decide to use different Blackboard CE tools, each online course can function differently. You should contact the individual instructor for specific questions regarding the flow of the course.
What is a Telecourse?
A TELECOURSE is a fully credited college level course that combines the viewing of television programs and/or radio broadcasts, with independent assignments and a minimal number of on-campus meetings. Each course is assigned an instructor who serves as the student’s learning facilitator. The student is given a syllabus which details reading, viewing, listening and writing assignments. Students work with the faculty member via telephone communications, mail and personal visits. Some courses may use the Internet and e-mail as part of the instructional mix.
How can I view the video materials?
Each semester the video programs for a selected group of telecourses are broadcast via WLIW-Channel 21 and PATV, Channel 71. In addition, a full selection of telecourse programs are maintained on “reserve” at the College Library. Some viewing materials may also be available for borrowing from local public libraries and video stores. The Office for Distance Education offers a video rental service for telecourse material. A Twenty-five dollar ($25.00) rental fee per course will permit students to borrow the tapes or DVDs for the complete semester. (see How can I rent...)
How do I take examinations?
Each telecourse requires students to come to the campus for a mid-term and final examination. Some courses may have additional testing requirements. Telecourse faculty typically schedule their examinations during twilight hours or on Saturdays when most students can come to the campus. Many science courses hold exams during scheduled lab hours. The Office for Distance Education may serve as a proctor for examinations taken outside faculty-scheduled times. Proper College identification will be required at testing sessions. Students who cannot come to the campus may make special arrangements with the Office for Distance Education and the faculty member assigned to their selected course.
How can I rent the video materials for home use?
Sets of the videotapes or DVDs for each telecourse are available for rental through the Office for Distance Education. The rental period is the semester for which the student is registered for the course. A twenty-five dollar ($25.00) per course rental fee is charged for this service. Checks and money orders are the accepted form of payment. CASH CANNOT BE ACCEPTED FOR PAYMENT. The checks should be made payable to the NCC FOUNDATION only. NOTE: Refunds for the rental fee are subject to the College’s refund policy for courses. Rental fees are not typically refunded if more than seven (7) days have elapsed since the beginning of the semester. Student records may be impounded for failure to return tapes/DVDs/CDs at the end of the rental period.
How can I find out more about specific courses?
Additional information about course content and requirements is available from individual academic departments. The best time to call is between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.