• Should Sample Course be placed as a main category tab?
• Do we want “Contact Us” as a main category tab at end of tool or a link that is part of the design of every page?
• Where should videos be placed on the page?
• How many videos should be used?
• Can the READI assessment be executed within a frame so that the student remains within the HCC dist. edu. web pages at all times?
• Can we put clear instructions at the end pages of READI telling the student
(1) to print out or pull up the PDF copy of their READI results and (2) to click on the next step in a bread-crumb navigation which would then move them out of the READI frame and on to the remedation stage?
• The first page of each major tab category should have either a video or multi-media item.
• If possible, entire area should be separate from regular HCC navigation features.
• Frames should be employed to keep everything within the tutorial area.
• Links to outside sites, should open a new window.
CLICK HERE TO SEE TAB STYLES http://deluxe-tabs.com/templates/

Curious or New
Students:
BEGIN HERE.
Welcome! Begin by clicking on step #1 or pick up where you left off.
Informed & prepared
HCC student.

Intro to distance learning at HCC.
Welcome!
.
You are on page one of our online introduction to distance learning at HCC.
This seven step tool is designed to help you find out about distance learning at HCC and whether or not you are ready to take your first distance learning course.
Please try to complete all seven steps. WELCOME VIDEO
(CHAD)

Web
Courses
Media- Based
Web Courses
Multimedia
Courses
You may take courses on video/dvd, courses that stream over the internet, or courses that are primarily text based over the internet.
Click on the icons above to learn more and see what courses are being offered in each category.
See what some of our students are saying about distance learning.

Intro to distance learning at HCC.
• No time spent commuting to class
• No travel costs
• You can have a job while you take classes
• You can learn when you need it (Just-In-Time)
• Your learning options are not constrained by your geographic location
• You can learn at your own pace
• Learning can be fit into your busy schedule
• Can be more effective for certain types of learners (shy, reflective, language challenged, those that need more time)
• Often more student to student interaction
• Can be more focused on the learner and less on the instructor
• Some instructors aren’t as effective in distance education.
• May take longer for instructors to provide individualized feedback.
• Equipment needs of students are higher and possibly harder.
• Academic honesty of online students is an issue at times.
• Lack of face to face interaction is a real distraction for certain students.
• Requires new skills and responsibilities from learners.
• Does not provide many social aspects of a true campus or traditional classroom.

Is Distance Learning
Right for You?

Is Distance Learning
Right for You?
•
• Have access to a computer and a high speed internet connection . The communication medium is a computer, and modem; the student must have access to th e necessary equipment.
Have a good work space set up.
Having a quiet, organized place to keep your computer will help you to stay on track.

Is Distance Learning
Right for You?
•
Be able to use the technology properly. Your online class will require you to be comfortable using email, an Internet browser, and a word processor (at the very least). If you are not currently comfortable doing these things, then you must have a willingness to learn how to do them and be willing to put in a little extra effort to increase your own technical skills.
Be able to:
•
Use email and create messages with attached files
•
Download and install programs from the Internet
• Search the Web
• Copy and paste from one program to another
Have patience and ability to rely on back-up plans for the inevitable hurdles. Remember, technology will inevitably fail! Expecting this, successful online students will develop back-up plans for the times when access to the Internet is lost, the computer fails to operate, or personal computer files have become corrupted.

Is Distance Learning
Right for You?
•
•
Be able to complete assignments on time. The online learning process is normally accelerated and requires commitment on the student’s part.
Staying up with the class and completing all work on time is vital.
The most common reason why students do not do well in an online course is because they do not develop a plan for successful time management and task completion.
Be willing and able to commit 4-15 hours per week per course. Online is not easier that the traditional educational process. In fact, many students will say it requires much more time and commitment. This can mean participating 5-7 days a week.
•
Be self-motivated and selfdisciplined. With the freedom and flexibility of the online environment comes responsibility. Recognize that you are the primary person responsible for your own success.
The student should be able to stay on task without direct supervision.
• Be willing to “speak up” if problems arise. If you are experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), he or she must communicate this immediately.
Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong.

Is Distance Learning
Right for You?
• Feel that high quality learning can take place without going to a traditional classroom. If the student feels that a traditional classroom is a prerequisite to learning, they may be more comfortable in the traditional classroom. Online is not for everybody. A student that wants to be on a traditional campus attending a traditional classroom is probably not going to be happy online.
•
Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
The learning process requires the student to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. Assimilating information and executing the right decisions requires critical thought.
• Be open minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process. The online process requires students to utilize their experiences. The online environment should be open and friendly. You will have some insights about course topics and discussions that are uniquely yours. Sharing them may be the catalyst for someone else to learn something new and wonderful.

Is Distance Learning
Right for You?
• Be able to work with others in completing projects.
Contribute your ideas and comments on the subject you are studying, and read about those of your classmates.
Your instructor is not the only source of information in your course – you can gain great insight from your peers and they can learn from you as well.
• I can enlist support from people around me when I need it. Talk with your parent/guardian and your friends about ways they can help you stay on track with your course work. Be willing to ask your fellow classmates for help if you need to.
• Student is willing to participate beyond the minimum requirement.
Since your course instructor and fellow students will not be seeing you face-to-face for most class interaction, it is very important for you to contribute to the chat sessions and discussion boards. Whatever you can do to avoid feeling isolated is extremely important.

If you would like to test your readiness for online classes. Click the screen image below. You will be asked to quickly register a name and email address.
The assessment will take a few minutes and can be continued if you need to stop before you complete the entire assessment.
NOTE: Print a copy, or open the computer screen with your results before continuing to step #4 above.

Improve your distance learning skills here!
.

Improve your distance learning skills here!
.
Click on the computer operating system that is on your personal computer. (If you are a
Windows user, but unsure, choose XP). You will be taken to a very user friendly and graphical site to teach you how to use a computer with that operating system.

Click the icon to the left to see a very basic video introducing the parts of a computer what each part does.
Click the icon to the left for a flashcard game that will introduce you to terms you should know if you want to be comfortable in a distance learning course.

Improve your distance learning skills here!
.
Click the icon to the left to learn more about the various types of learning styles.
Click the icon to the left to learn more about how to study.

Improve your distance learning skills here!
.
Click on either link to be taken to sites that will teach you how to type. (Select the qwerty method if asked).

Click the screen image to the left to be taken to an example course.

Frequently Asked
Questions.
Please click on one of the circles to see the questions!

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• What programs are offered?
• How do I get my text books and/or study guides?
•
Where do I go to take online classes?
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of distance learning?
• How do online classes work?
What are my responsibilities?
• Will I have the same campus privileges as other students?
•
Will a distance learning course appear on an official transcript?
• Are distance learning courses worth the same credit as regular courses?

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• Is financial aid available for online courses?
• How much does a distance learning course cost?

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• How do I know what my user ID and initial password are?
• How do I log in?
• I forgot my password, now what do I do?
• Do I need to subscribe to an
Internet Service Provider to take a distance learning course?
• What can I do to protect my computer system from viruses?
• What assistance can I reasonably expect from the Technical
Helpdesk?
• What hours are the Technical
Helpdesk staff available?
• What is WebCT? How do I know if my class is using it?
• What level of computer/ Internet knowledge must I have?
•
What is a compressed video?

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• How do I get my student ID and
Library Card?
• How do I register for E-Learning courses?
• When can I register for E-Learning courses?
• What types of E-Learning courses are offered at HCC?
• How do I withdraw/drop a distance course?
• Can I take Distance Learning courses and on-campus courses at the same time?
• What is a MediaBased
WebCourse?
• What is an Interactive Video
Conferencing Course?
• What is a WebCourse?

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• What do I do the first day of class?
• How do I access my course materials online?
• Where do I get my syllabus?
• Where/how do I take my tests for distance courses?
• How do I access research/library information?
• How do I interact with my professor and fellow classmates?
• Is my course participation tracked?
• How often do I need to be online when taking a distance course?
• How do I check my grades?
• How are distance courses graded in comparison to regular courses?
• When and where are the five oncampus meetings for the Media
Based WebCourses held?

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• Where can I find more information?
• Will there be an advisor to help me?
• If I still have a question about E-Learning, what do I do?

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• Please visit this link to see a list of distance courses being offered next semester: http://www.hccfl.edu/ecampus/Summer_2007/Courses/index.htm

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• Financial Aid is available in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, & student employment.
Most types of financial aid are based upon financial aid eligibility.
HCC students must complete an application for financial aid.
Please contact your home campus for further information.
• Campus Phone Numbers:
Brandon253-7835
Dale Mabry253-7235
Plant City757-2105
Ybor City253-7635

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• You will use your WebCT login information

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• You can get these by visiting the campus card center

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• You should log into your WebCT and check that your distance courses are there. You should review the pages that your instructor has set up and begin to work on any assigned work.

Frequently Asked
Questions.
• Please visit this site to see a list of contact information for the
Distance Learning Staff http://www.hccfl.edu/ecampus/Summer_2007/contact.htm

The staff at the Distance Learning office are always willing to help! Feel free to come by the office or contact us at any time. Our contact information is on the right. Below are some other places around the school that you might need to contact as well:
CLICK A CAMPUS or pick up the phone!
HCC Academic Advising
Brandon (813)253-7802
Dale Mabry (813)253-7202
Plant City (813)757-2102
Ybor City (813)253-7602
HCC Financial Aid Services
Brandon (813)253-7835
Dale Mabry (813)253-7235
Plant City (813)757-2161
Ybor City (813)253-7635
Ask one of these people a question right now.
Melissa Zucal, Distance Learning
Program Manager ( 813)259-6531
Vicki Schnurr, counselor
(813)253- 7313
Financial Aid Representative
Dale Mabry (813)253-7235

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