What is Distance Learning?
Distance Learning at Quinebaug Valley Community College encapsulates the delivery of educational programs to students through the use of Internet technologies, in particular, the World Wide Web. In most cases, coursework offered through distance learning does not require the student to be physically on campus. Students may take a combination on on-campus courses and distance education courses or may choose to take all of their courses through distance learning. QVCC participates in the Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium. Information about QVCC's distance learning program can be viewed at the College's homepage at http://www.qvcc.commnet.edu/qvccdl.
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Why study through Distance Learning?
WIDE CHOICE: Distance Learning provides a wide range of choices in academic programs without the limitations set by geographic boundaries. For example, students anywhere in the country or world can choose to take QVCC's Health Information Technology program without ever traveling to Connecticut .
FLEXIBLE SCHEDULING: Many employers find it difficult to release employees for on-campus study even when it is deemed beneficial professional development. You can get online any time of the day or night for distance learning courses.
NO COMMUTING: For students who are home because of family commitments, disabilities, or lack of transportation, distance learning allows you to study from home.
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Who should study through Distance Learning?
Distance Learners must be highly motivated and self-directed. The student must have the discipline to establish a regular study schedule each week and adhere to it without having to be reminded by an instructor or classmates to meet deadlines. The successful distance learner must be a committed student.
Distance Learners should have some familiarity with computers or ensure that their first course is an introduction to computers. Students are expected to be familiar with e-mail and possess a general knowledge of the Internet. Some knowledge of word processing will also be necessary to compose assignments and send attachments to the instructor.
All QVCC students, including distance learners, must have a high school diploma or GED. In addition, they must meet the prerequisites for the course in which they desire to enroll. Students may be required to take basic skill assessments online prior to registering for courses.
To test your readiness for a distance learning course, go to the CTDLC website and take their self assessment at www.ctdlc.org. Select Students>Self Assessment.
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What special vocabulary do people use when talking about Distance Learning?
There are a number of terms that are used in Distance Learning and in this document that may be unfamiliar if you have never taken a Distance Learning course in the past. This includes:
Online: Refers to course work done through the use of Internet technologies.
On-ground: Refers to traditional course work done on campus.
Chat, chat room: Refers to a type of online discussion with one or more people, often in real time. A chat room can be set up by the web course management system such as Blackboard Vista.
Live Chat: Refers to type of online discussion that occurs in real time. Students and the instructor can conduct a live chat at different locations but at the same time.
Threaded discussion: Refers to online discussions on a specific topic that may be set up by the instructor. Students can post messages or respond to messages on an online discussion board provided by the web course management system such as Blackbaord Vista. The initial message posted by the instructor or a student may be responded to by others. Other students may respond to the response. This establishes a connection between the original posting and subsequent postings, hence the idea of a "threaded" discussion.
Blackboard Vista: A learning content management system that is used to deliver online coursework with features that include threaded discussion, calendar, email, learning modules, and chat rooms.
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Email etiquette or "netiquette"
When using email or participating in chat rooms, some standards of courtesy are expected. The QVCC library has suggested the following guidelines for email etiquette or "netiquette" as it is called in cyberspace:
1. Keep acronyms to a minimum. If you choose to use them, include a glossary. For example, IMO (in my opinion), LOL (laughing out loud), and BTW (by the way) are common Internet e-mail acronyms. There are Internet sites that contain glossaries of commonly used terms.
2. Flaming. Showing excessive emotion in your writing is called flaming. For example, never write in all caps. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE YELLING. Use only when necessary. Remember that the recipient of your email message does not know your mood, and if he/she misinterprets your message, he/she may send a hasty response and escalate the situation.
3. Stick to the subject. Don't ask multiple questions within one email. Send separate emails with a well-defined subject line so the recipient can respond to each question individually. Often someone will hit "reply" before reading the entire message, and many of your questions may be missed.
4. Know your audience. If you are writing to a friend or colleague, it is okay to use smiley faces :) etc. These are called emoticons. If you are writing a formal letter for business or professional purposes, it is best to avoid these forms of friendly intimacy.
5. Watch what you write. Remember when you send an email it just doesn't go away. Long after you have forgotten about something you wrote the message may come back to haunt you.
6. Sign your name to a message. This is especially true if you are sending a message to a group. You may also want to add your email address to the information following your name. Identifying yourself in this manner helps your message recipient find your email address when hitting "reply" may be inappropriate.
7. Send in plain text. Do not format! You cannot be sure if the recipient's computer has the software installed to support certain "fancy" programs, such as obscure colors or graphics. Your message may come through as garbage if you are overly creative or artistic with your content.
8. Copyright. Copyright laws are applicable to email. Avoid posting copyrighted material. For more information, see the United States Copyright Office at http://lcweb.loc.gov/copyright.
9. Respect the privacy of others. Always get permission from the sender of a message if you want to forward that message to others.
10. Responding to a message. When replying to a specific part of an email message, remember to include only the relevant portion of the email in your response. You can delete the irrelevant parts of the original message from your reply.
There are many sites on the Internet that suggest proper etiquette when communicating on-line. The library suggests the following:
From the Library at Yale University : http://www.library.yale.edu/training/netiquette
This is an in-depth site with a good bibliography. Be aware that it was last updated on 1/20/99.
From the University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire: http://www.uwec.edu/jerzdg/orr/handouts/TW/e-mail.htm
From Cornell University: http://www.cit.cornell.edu/computer/email/polite.html This site is Cornell University-specific, but the advice is good.
State of Connecticut (CMAC): http://www.cmac.state.ct.us/policies/netiqu.htm
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What does Distance Learning look like?
Before registering for a distance learning course for the first time, students are encouraged to access sample Blackboard Vista courses, instructions, and help pages. This will help students become familiar with the Blackboard Vista interface and navigation. No ID is needed to view a sample course. To view a sample course go to: http://www.commnet.edu/academics/blackboard/student/sample_course.asp.
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What Distance Learning is not
Distance Learning courses are not self-paced. Assignments and homework are due on a fixed scheduled much as with traditional courses. Threaded discussions (defined later) may be required as class participation. While a student may not be required to be online at a specific time in the day, there are deadlines and weekly (or more frequently) required class assignments.
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What about textbooks?
Most distance learning courses require textbooks. These can be ordered from the college bookstore or may be ordered through an online bookstore such as Amazon.com. Students ordering through the QVCC bookstore will be charged postage. Colleges near the student's home may also have bookstores that have the required text(s).
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Why take Distance Learning courses at QVCC?
Quinebaug Valley Community College is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. This is an assurance of quality in terms of the curriculum and instruction you will receive. Many colleges will grant transfer credit only for course work taken at accredited colleges. Because QVCC is a public community college, tuition and fees are substantially less than through other distance learning programs.
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What if I need academic support?
QVCC participates in a distance learning tutoring program. Help is available in many subject areas. For more information on how you can get tutoring online, go to www.etutoring.org.
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What is required to complete Distance Learning courses from off-campus?
Although students can access computers on the QVCC campus or from many municipal libraries or Internet cafes, QVCC encourages students to own their own computers to take distance learning courses. The College recommends a fairly recent model computer with either telephone or cable network connections to the World Wide Web.
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Guidelines for a minimum computer set-up include:
- Pentium 90 with at least a 100 MHz processor
- 1 GB Hard drive
- 16 MG RAM (32 MB RAM or more recommended)
- 28.8K, 56k, or cable modem (recommended)
- CDROM drive
- Sound card
- Printer
- Windows 98 or higher operating system
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Internet Service Provider (ISP)
Along with a home computer, students must have an Internet Service Provider (ISP). The College does not provide a dial-in Internet connection. It is possible to come to a QVCC campus to utilize a computer laboratory to complete an online course. In this case you would not need your own ISP.
Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.0 & 5.5 SP2 and Netscape Communicator/Navigator 4.5x - 4.77 are the recommended browsers. The Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium (CTDLC) also states that Blackboard Vista does not officially support the America Online browser. It is suggested students use Netscape or Internet Explorer after connecting to AOL.
Browser settings require Javascript enabled, Java enabled, and Cookies enabled. Some students have computers with Javascript turned off as a security measure. Some of the menus and links on both QVCC's homepage and Blackboard Vista will not work if Javascript is turned off.
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Virus Protection
Virus Protection is very important. Many computer viruses can cause both the student and the college to lose work and time. It is absolutely imperative that any computer used by a student have virus protection software installed. The two most commonly used applications are McAfee Virus Scan and Norton Antivirus. The cost is usually in the $50 range and is available at computer stores everywhere. Many newer computers include virus protection for a small fee or for free at the time of installation.
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Firewalls and Pop-Up Blockers
Firewalls or pop-up blockers, computer and Internet safety and protection systems, may impact on the transfer of information in distance learning courses. The Connecticut Community College System provides technical support if the student is having difficulty receiving and sending information over the Internet: http://d2.parature.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=8134.
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Degrees and courses offered through Distance Learning at QVCC
Certificate Program: Health Information Management Technician (HIMT)-Certified Coding Specialist
This certificate is designed to prepare students to work in hospitals, physicians' offices, insurance settings, or clinics organizing and evaluating medical records.
Learners who complete the Health Information Management Technician: Certified Coding Specialist will:
- Demonstrate and utilize appropriate medical language and abbreviations
- Demonstrate an understanding of management of health care data
- Demonstrate the ability to abstract information from various sources and utilize various coding classification systems
- Demonstrate an understanding of appropriate and effective application of legal and ethical standards of practice
- Analyze and utilize medical record science and apply knowledge to various health care delivery systems
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HIMT required courses include:
BOT* 280 Medical Transcription & Document Production; 3 credits
CSA* 105 Intro to Software Applications; 3 credits
ENG* 101 Expository Writing; 3 credits
HIM* 102 Introduction to Health Systems; 3 credits
HIM* 210 Coding I; 3 credits
HIM* 211 Advanced Medical Coding; 3 credits
HIM* 201 Health Information Management Principles; 3 credits
HIM* 254 HIMT Practicum; 4 credits
MED* 125 Medical Terminology; 3 credits
Total Credits: 28
Detailed descriptions of courses offered in the current semester can be found at the end of this document. For other courses review the online catalog at www.qvcc.commnet.edu and click the button for college catalog.
For more information on the HIMT program or questions regarding these courses, contact Cheri Goretti at CGoretti@QVCC.commnet.edu .
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Additional Distance Learning Courses
In addition to the certificate program, QVCC offers courses online in an array of programs. For a listing of what is offered each semester, go to the Connecticut Community College online website: http://www.online.commnet.edu/pls/x/bzskfcls.P_CrseSearch. Choose term, college, type of subject, credit, etc. Under type of instruction, click down to "Distance Learning." Then click on "Get Courses."
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Frequently asked questions (FAQs) on Distance Learning
Can you start anytime?
No, all courses run a typical 16-week semester.
Are the courses self-study?
No, they are all professor-driven. There is interaction between the students and professor.
Do I have to have a computer at home to take this course?
No, you can use the computers in the computer lab at the College to do your online course. The College's computers will allow you to access WebCT Vista. Each WebCT Vista course provides you with an internal email account for that course.
How do I take exams?
Although individual courses may have different evaluation methods, some online courses have self-tests that students take and get instant results. Other courses require final exams that are taken on campus or proctored by an approved proctor.
Who can serve as an approved proctor?
Usually proctors are professors or staff members at a college campus in the student's area. Your instructor will need the name, title, address, phone number, and email of your proctor. The instructor will send the exam and instructions for proctoring.
For more information about QVCC distance learning, please visit the QVCC Distance Learning web site.
