Distance Learning Student Guide

Welcome to distance learning at the College of Southern Maryland. The flexibility and variety of distance learning courses broaden the reach of the college community by offering students the opportunity to earn credits without attending classes on campus. Many students take a combination of web-based (online) courses, telecourses, and on-campus courses.

This guide is designed to answer general questions you may have about distance learning courses. If you have questions which this guide does not address, please feel free to call the Distance Learning Coordinator at 301-934-7615.

We are pleased that you are considering to take advantage of these unique educational formats and hope that you find participation in distance learning courses to be an interesting, convenient, and satisfying way to learn.

Telecourses are instructor-facilitated courses with course content delivered through the combination of audiovisual and print media (television, video, DVD, CD, textbooks and study guides). Students may be required to take proctored exams or on-campus assessments at a testing center.

TeleWeb courses integrate telecourse delivery (TV, videos, DVDs, or CDs) with dynamic online activities, resources, and tools. Students view lessons through telecourse delivery and use the Internet to participate in class discussions and instructional activities. (Students may be required to take proctored exams or on-campus assessments at a testing center.)

Web-based (online) courses are designed to bring campus-based classes to students' computers. The instructor provides information posted on a course Web site that guides the student through course content, prompts discussions, and helps students keep pace with assignments. Due dates for assignments, a logical learning pattern, and start/end dates that correspond with a semester create a classroom that is available at a convenient time and place. Students may be required to take proctored exams or on-campus assessments at a testing center.

Web-hybrid (Blended) courses blend on-campus instruction with web-based instruction. Students meet on campus according to the published schedule of classes then complete approximately half of the course instruction and/or activities online. Web-hybrid courses create flexible learning options while allowing students to meet face-to-face with instructors and other students.

Web-enhanced courses are instructional methods, such as lectures and cooperative education experiences that use certain Blackboard CE (WebCT 6) tools, such as email and discussions.

View the self-survey to determine if distance learning is for you. You can explore the student demo course to experience what it's like to be in a web-based (online) course. If you would like to contact an advisor you may do so online.

A variety of assessment techniques will be used by your instructors to determine your comprehension of the course content and to assess your progress. Students in most distance learning courses will be required to take exams. Students should review their syllabus to determine if the exams must be completed at the Testing Center on one of the CSM campuses. For some web-based (online) courses or TeleWeb courses, exams may be completed online from home. If students are required to take their exams at a testing center, they must:

Instructors will provide their telephone numbers, email address, and office hours in their course syllabi. Questions concerning course content, exams, or grades should be directed to your instructor.

Administrative questions or questions about distance learning course procedures should be directed to the Distance Learning Coordinator at 301-934-7615. Regular office hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please leave a message when contacting the Distance Learning Coordinator after hours. Your call will be returned on the next business day.

Your instructors will provide instructions on how and where to submit course assignments. Please review your course syllabus to determine the procedures for submitting written work.

The CSM Library’s Home Page (www.csmd.edu/library/) includes links to the Card Catalog as well as links to electronic databases. Some of the databases are available not only on-campus but also off-campus to currently registered students. The popular journal database ProQuest is one of the databases accessible from off-campus. A valid student ID is needed to access these databases and to check out books. Students can pick up their ID cards at the library’s circulation desk on the La Plata Campus Library or they may request to have it sent to another campus library. For information on library hours and services, please visit the library web site or contact the library at 301-934-7626.

The Student Success Center (SSC) provides a comprehensive system of student support services. Peer tutoring, skills improvement, testing, and disabled student services are some available services. In cooperation with Smarthinking.com, CSM also offers Online Tutoring Services in the areas of Math, Writing, ESL, Accounting, Economics, and Chemistry. Academic support in these areas is offered to all CSM students free of charge.

Distance learning courses follow the CSM semester calendar found in the college’s schedule of classes. Each distance learning course has a start and end date. The length of most distance learning courses is the full semester, 16 weeks. However, some are of shorter duration. Please take note of important dates such as the first and last days of classes, mid-term week, holidays, and deadlines for adding/dropping classes, and changing audit/credit status. For important dates, see the academic calendar.

Complete sets of videotapes (or DVDs) for all telecourses or teleweb courses are available from the La Plata Campus Library. Students may borrow the set of videotapes or DVDs for the entire semester. For your convenience, if you would like the set of videotapes or DVDs sent to another campus library, please make that request at 301.934.7626 or 301.870.3008, ext. 7626.

However, these telecourses are also available via set of DVDs or videotapes, as stated above.

Logging into Web-Based (Online) Course

Before the course start date or after you have registered, you will be sent a welcome letter with your User Name, Password, and log in URL. The letter will be sent to the address in the college’s student data system. Consequently, it is very important that the Admission’s Office has your current address.

Students will have access to their courses at 8:00 a.m. on the first day of class as published in the Schedule of Classes.

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Technical Requirements for Web-Based (Online) Courses

The Blackboard CE (WebCT 6)Browser Tune-Up may also be used to ensure that you are using a supported browser. It includes step-by-step instructions to make sure your browser settings are optimized for the best possible Blackboard CE (WebCT 6) experience.

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Orientations and Tutorials

No traditional courses are exactly alike. Instructors have different teaching styles, assign different types of activities, and assess students in a variety of ways. Similarly, no web-based (online) course is exactly the same. Your instructor selects web tools and features to teach and facilitate your course based on the course content preferred teaching methods. However, many of the tools and most course navigation is similar in online courses. The Online Orientation consists of a series of viewlets or tutorials that explain and demonstrate the basic skills necessary to be successful in web-based (online), web-hybrid, or teleweb courses. The tutorials will provide the step-by-step instructions needed to use many of the features and tools you'll find in these courses. In addition, a demonstration course has been created for you to experience what it's like to be in a web-based (online) course. If you have problems viewing these tutorials contact the Help Desk at 301-934-2251, extension 4357.

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Frequently Used Addresses and Phone Numbers

Admissions Office, ext. 7520
Information Center, ext 7765

College Store, ext. 7570
Advisement and Career Services, ext. 7574
Financial Assistance, ext. 7531
Library, ext. 7626
Distance Learning Office, ext. 7615
Testing Center, ext. 7657

Prince Frederick Campus

115 Williams Road

Prince Frederick, MD 20678-3709

443-550-6000

Leonardtown Campus

22950 Hollywood Road

Leonardtown, MD 20650-4700

240-725-5300

Waldorf Center
3261 Old Washington Road, Suite 1020

Waldorf, MD 20602-3223

301- 632-2900
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Tips for Success

Distance learning courses are designed to be convenient and flexible; they are as intellectually challenging and academically rigorous as traditional on-campus courses. Distance learning courses allow you to achieve your academic goals by participating in a course virtually “any where, any time, and any place.”

Study Tips for Distance Learners

Success in a distance learning environment requires a self-directed, well-organized person who is comfortable with technology.

Read the syllabus and other course materials carefully to understand requirements, assignment due dates, how to submit assignments, and contact information for your instructor and classmates.
Develop good study habits early. Dedicate a place for studying. Set aside a significant amount of time each week for class work. In a traditional class, you’d be expected to spend about 10 hours each week on the course (3 hours in class plus additional time to study and complete course assignments). In a distance learning course, plan to spend, at least, the same amount of time participating in class activities.
Establish your own time management system and study time to allow you to complete the assignment due dates and course activities according to the schedule provided by your instructor. Have a daily/weekly planner.
Keep current with the assigned readings. Take note of key concepts, definitions, or explanations that are helpful to you
Communicate with your instructor regularly and with classmates if possible.
Check your email at least once a day.
Reach out when you need someone to talk to, feel frustrated, or need help understanding course concepts.
Demonstrate good communications skills. Nearly all communication is written so it is critical you are comfortable expressing yourself in writing.
Observe netiquette rules—be polite and respectful in your communications.
Function with the discipline and self motivation needed to complete assignments on time.
Expect and plan for glitches and delays by starting assignments early.

We’re glad you’ve chosen to take a distance learning course from the College of Southern Maryland.

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ITC: 4/26/2007