Learning at a distance new concept
by Melissa Sanchez, reporter

    For TCC students who have a hard time juggling school and a busy schedule, distance learning classes may provide convenience.

   Distance learning courses combine on-campus sessions with related assignments and reading. Students are not required to be on campus as much as they are in regular classes and are able to finish their weekly assignments at their own convenience.

   TCC began offering distance learning courses in 1973 via instructional television and added online classes in 1989. Since then, TCC has had the largest distance learning enrollment in the state of Texas, reaching over 15,000. Currently, TCC offers 30 instructional television courses and 93 Internet courses, each with multiple sections.

   The courses offered over the Internet are done through the distance learning Web site, and students are given a special user name and password to log in. Beginning the first day of class, students can log on to the site and access everything from the syllabus to all class assignments. Most work is turned in via e-mail and fax, and tests are taken in any campus testing center.

   The television classes are broadcast at special times on various Tarrant County cable systems, or students can view most of them in the TCC library provided they purchase video lease kits. Students can obtain the syllabi for courses at the registrar’s office or on the distance learning Web site. Weekly assignments are handed in accordingly, and tests are taken in any campus testing center.

   Enrolling in a distance learning class is exactly the same as enrolling in any other class. The course listings are found toward the front of the schedule of classes booklet and follow the same registration procedures as campus classes. The fees are also the same.

   According to Dr. Carolyn Robertson, director of distance learning, TCC’s distance learning program offers students more course options.

   TCCD participates in the Virtual College of Texas (VCT) project,
which can provide assistance to students when all of TCCD’s online courses have filled,” she said.

  “Distance Learning staff can find an opening at another school and enroll the student there. The student would still have the convenience of taking all of the exams at a TCCD location, but would be taking a course provided by another community college.
  An exciting new addition to the distance learning center will begin in the fall of 2002, Robertson said.

  “Each TCCD campus will have a fully equipped two way audio, two-way video classroom for offering courses via teleconferencing. This equipment is being funded by a Telecommunications Infrastructure Board (TIF) grant. TCCD was awarded $579,355 for this initiative, and we are excited about the new learning communities which can be reached and established with these capabilities,” she said.

  Many students have found this program extremely beneficial to their lifestyles. Robertson reports the distance learning center has received much praise from students.

  “The comment that we receive most often from students is that the convenience and flexibility of taking a course when they can, time wise, or from any location are the best features of a distance learning course. The distance learning courses require the same amount of study time, follow the same syllabus and carry the same college credit as the comparable courses on campus,” she said.

  Alida Stokman, a public communications/TV broadcasting major from NW Campus, believes that self-discipline is important to distance learning students.

  “I think Internet classes are overwhelming because there is so much stuff to keep track of, and you have to be responsible enough to stay on top of things. The advantage of distance learning is that you can work on your own time around work and school hours,” she said.

  For more information on distance learning classes, students can stop by the center for distance learning in room 234 of the Jenkins Garrett Library on the South Campus, visit the distance learning Web site at http://distance learn-ing.tccd.net or call 817-515-4532.