FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Is distance learning right for me?

Because your personal, family, and work responsibilities can consume so much of your time, distance learning may be just right for you. Take the self-test, to help you determine if distance learning is suitable to your lifestyle and your learning style. Advisors are available to assist students with planning their distance learning program of study and registering for classes. Students wishing to contact an advisor regarding academic or career issues may do so by e-mail: advisor@csmd.edu or phone: 301-934-7574

What kind of computer do I need for a web-based?

To enroll in web-based courses, students need access to a personal computer with internet access, and a web browser which has JavaScript and is JAVA-enabled. America Online (AOL) users will need to connect to the Internet as usual, then minimize the AOL browser and open either Netscape or Internet Explorer to access their online courses, which use WebCT as a course management system. Both of these browsers may be downloaded free from www.netscape.com or www.microsoft.com.

Students may also use one of the Internet-connected computers in the college's open computer labs and library to complete their course requirements. Instructors and laboratory assistants are available in the Student Success Center's computer learning lab, located in Room LR118 on the floor below the library on the La Plata campus, provides multimedia computers to support students in their course work.

Browser and Operating System Requirements for WebCT 4.0

The following is a list of the latest requirements (08/15/03):

Client Operating Systems
Microsoft Windows 98 2nd Edition
Microsoft Windows 2000
Microsoft Windows XP
Mac OS 9
Mac OS X 10.1.x
Mac OS X 10.2.x

Validated Browsers:
(The best recommendation is to always go with the validated browsers)
AOL 7.0 (PC)
AOL 8.0 (PC)
AOL OSX (OSX)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0, 5.5 and 6.0 (PC)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.1 (OS9, OSX.1)
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.2 (OSX.2)
Netscape 6.2.x (PC and Mac)
Netscape 7.0 (PC & OSX)

How much time per week should I set aside to take a web-based course?

For traditional three-credit courses, in addition to the 3 hours of on-campus instruction, students should allow 6 to 9 hours for homework or projects. This same time commitment exists for web-based courses. That is, for each credit hour, allow 6 to 9 hours for homework or projects. Of course, these guidelines are approximates and may be somewhat more or less, depending on the particular course.

Who is learning at a distance?

Most students who enroll in distance education courses are over 25 years of age, employed, and have previous college experience. Over half are female. Their course completion rate exceeds that of students who enroll in traditional on-campus courses. (Source: Peterson's Guide to Distance Learning 1997).

Why is CSM involved in distance learning?

Distance learning opportunities have generated considerable interest among college students because it offers them new and promising ways to achieve their college and career goals. The college seeks to enable students to achieve these goals through distance learning by making learning more accessible, by improving how students learn, and by accomplishing these goals at a reasonable cost to the student.

I'm thinking about taking a distance learning course. What advice can you give me?

Research tells us that most students take some time to adjust to distance learning methods. They must learn the rhythm and patterns of online communication, and of working without attending classes. Here are some tips for getting comfortable at a distance:

Take time to review all the tutorials, demos, help files and details about the course that may be available online.

Spend some time browsing through the class and making sure you know what the buttons are for.

Learn to manage your time. Set aside an adequate amount of time on a regular basis each week to work on the class. By creating a sticking to a routine, you can stay up with the assignments and with the interaction that is required.

Print out pages from the web site for reference and review them away from the computer. Because the web is such a changeable medium however, always check the website for updates and revisions to the pages you have printed out.

Set priorities and pay close attention to your syllabus, and what your instructor says about course requirements.

What happens in a web-based class or a telecourse? Is it only independent study?

Online classes are designed to bring the best features of campus-based classes to your home or work computer. The instructor provides information posted on a course website or in the form of videotapes, guides you through the material, prompts discussion, helps you keep on pace with assignments, and answers your questions. Regular due dates for assignments, a logical learning pattern, and start and stop dates that correspond with a semester pattern all add up to create a classroom that's available without having to fight traffic or personal scheduling conflicts.

A web-based, or online class revolves around a bulletin board, where general discussion takes place. Each class also has private mail, real-time chat, course notes and other materials, linked glossaries, online quizzes, student presentation areas, calendar and annotation tools, and other features.
A telecourse centers on a set of videotapes that supplement a textbook. It may also involve material posted to a website, and communication with your instructor takes place by phone, email, or surface mail.

Is financial assistance available?

If you’re enrolled in a certificate or degree program, the distance learning course you take may qualify for financial assistance. Veterans enrolled in degree programs may be eligible for reimbursement for a distance learning course when they successfully complete the course. Contact Financial Assistance for details: fadasst@csmd.edu

Can I earn a certificate or degree at a distance?

Yes, you can complete a degree without ever attending a class on campus. By completing a program that is fully online, or through a combination of telecourses and web-based courses, you can now earn an associate's degree, a certificate, or letter of recognition from College of Southern Maryland.

Can I sell my books back to the bookstore upon completion?

Yes, the College Store offers students an opportunity to sell back their books at the conclusion of the fall and spring semesters. Contact the bookstore manager for specific information about dates and times.

Will this course show up on a regular College of Southern Maryland transcript?

Yes. When the grade is returned from the instructor, the college registrar will post it on your official College of Southern Maryland transcript. No distinction is made on your official transcript that your courses were completed through distance learning. The credits you receive are exactly the same as awarded to on-campus students.

How much time do I have to complete the course?

Students enrolled in a telecourse or web-based courses must complete the course assignments within the stated duration of the course.

Are there any advantages to taking a class at a distance?

Traditional classroom-based courses are examples of synchronous, or real-time learning experiences: all students attend lectures and discussion groups at appointed times, or they miss out. While some distance learning courses have some synchronous features--scheduled online meetings within electronic chat rooms, most distance learning courses allow you to work on course and complete the assignments at your own time and pace. Lectures and assignments are posted to a class Web site, and students come to them when it's most convenient. Class discussions are still a part of many online courses, but they occur over the span of hours, days, or weeks. And a transcript of the online discussion is recorded for later review.

Can I talk with the instructor?

Yes, your instructor is available to help you with your questions about the course, but students must be prepared to ask for help before it’s too late. Successful distance learning students work many problems out by themselves, but when questions arise they don’t hesitate to contact their instructor.

Is Distance Learning effective?

Many educators ask if distant students learn as much as students receiving traditional face-to-face instruction. Many research studies indicate that teaching and studying at a distance can be just as effective as traditional instruction. The success of an online course depends on such factors as whether the method and technology used are appropriate to what you are learning, whether there is student-to-student interaction, and if the student receives timely feedback from the instructor (see Moore & Thompson, 1990; Verduin & Clark, 1991).