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WHAT IS DISTANCE LEARNING?
Distance Learning is any formal educational process in
which the instruction occurs when the learner and the instructor
are not in the same place. Some Distance Learning courses
involve a limited number of face-to-face class sessions.
So, at FGCU a course is listed as a Distance Learning offering
if 50% or more of the instruction occurs with the instructor
and the student separated by time and/or distance.
There are different forms of Distance Learning experiences,
for example:
- a complete course for which there are no required on-campus,
face-to-face meetings;
- an on-campus, face-to-face course that meets every
other week and uses email, threaded discussion software,
or a chatroom for communicating on the opposite weeks;
- a complete degree program that can be earned without
any required on-campus, face-to-face meetings;
- a degree program that involves some on-campus, face-to-face
courses and some distance learning courses.
How does the instruction occur
if the students and the instructor are not in the same place?
The instruction is delivered through:
- the Internet
- CD
- two-way INTERACTIVE video sessions
In addition, instructor-to-student, student-to-instructor,
and student-to-student communications occur using:
- E-mail
- special Web-based communication software that allows
for asynchronous and scheduled synchronous discussions
- the phone
Is Distance Learning For Me?
Distance Learning courses are probably an option for you
to consider if:
- you must work, be home to care for children, or are
homebound for some other reason when a course you want
or need is scheduled on-campus;
- the driving distance from your home or office makes
it difficult to get to campus for a scheduled course;
or,
- you've never taken a distance learning course, and
you think you might like to try one before you consider
an entire degree program.
AND
You are motivated and self-disciplined enough to study
independently and to set aside regular, daily studytime
so you can keep up with assignments and finish the course
within the period it is offered.
AND
You have access to and can use a home computer with Internet
access and a modem.
A complete degree through distance learning is probably an
option for you to consider if:
You have access to and can use a home computer with Internet
access and a modem.
You previously have successfully completed a distance learning
course.
or
You think you are motivated and self-disciplined enough
to study independently and to set aside regular, daily
studytime so you can keep up with assignments and finish
each course within the period it is offered.
Do you get different credit for
a distance learning course than you do for an on-campus,
face-to-face course?
No. The credit is the same, because you are required to
achieve the same learning outcomes. The assignments and
performance standards are the same as a face-to-face offering,
so the course is listed on your transcript exactly the same...the
difference is in the method of delivery and the number of
times you might be required to come to campus.
If I register for a distance learning
course, do I have to complete my entire degree through those
kinds of offerings?
No. You may take one distance learning course because it
fits your schedule during a particular semester, or you
may complete some degree programs through all distance learning
offerings.
OR
If you meet the prerequisites for a course, you may enroll
as a non-degree-seeking student. There are limits, however,
to the number of students we can accommodate and certain
courses are restricted to degree-seeking students.
Can I earn a full degree through
distance learning courses?
Through some Florida Community Colleges you may earn an
entire A.A. degree through distance learning offerings.
Edison College in Fort Myers, Florida and St. Petersburg
College in St. Petersburg, Florida are two such colleges
offering distance programs.
If you earn an A.A. degree from a Florida Community College,
you will have completed all of the lower division general
education requirements for an FGCU undergraduate degree.
You may then enter Florida Gulf Coast University as an
upper division undergraduate and complete all, or a significant
portion, of the upper division coursework required for
several degree programs.
How Long Will It Take To Complete
My Degree?
This depends on the degree you are seeking, the number
of transfer credits you may have, and the number of credits
per semester you are able to complete successfully.
A traditional bachelor's degree normally requires four
years of full time study (15 credits per semester). Since
many distance learners are unable to enroll full time, due
to job or other commitments, it usually takes a longer time
period.
A traditional Master's degree normally takes between one
and two years to complete. A part-time learner usually takes
at least three to four years.
Can I Take A Course Without Being
Formally Admitted To FGCU?
At FGCU any person meeting the prerequisites for a course
may enroll as a non-degree seeking student. There are limits,
however, to the number of students we can accommodate and
certain courses are restricted to degree-seeking students.
What Degrees Can Be Earned
Through Distance Learning?
All of the upper division courses
required to complete a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
are available via Distance Learning.
All of the courses necessary to
complete:
Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (RN to BSN only)
MBA (Master's in Business Administration)
MPA (Master's in Public Administration)
Masters in Health Science
Masters in Curriculum and Instruction: Educational Technology
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Endorsement
for K-12 teachers
Reading Endorsement for K-12 teachers
A significant number of courses
are available as distance learning options from the five
Colleges at FGCU.
What Types of Distance Learning
Courses Are Available?
Internet Courses
Course materials, assignments, and communications with the
instructor and other students are made available through
a course website that you access through an Internet service.
Courses designed for delivery through the Internet usually
involve: reading assignments; a textbook; written papers
and assignments submitted online through the Course Management
system (ANGEL); on-line or proctored tests; and web-based
asynchronous or chatroom discussions. Some Internet courses
also require a limited number of face-to-face class sessions.
Two-way Interactive Video Classes
An on-campus section of a course is scheduled to meet in
one of the classrooms in the Broadcast Building that is
equipped with a video conferencing system. One or more sections
of the same course are scheduled to meet on the same day
at the same time in one or more of the Regional Satellite
Centers in Naples, Cape Coral, and Charlotte County, also
equipped with video conferencing systems and connected to
the Broadcast Building classroom. Students at each of the
video-networked sites can see and hear the instructor and
the other students when they speak. All students, regardless
of the physical location of the class can participate in
the scheduled class sessions. They also have the same assignments,
readings, projects, and tests. In addition, as is the case
for most face-to-face FGCU courses, email and other Internet
communications may be required.
How do I get my textbooks if
I can’t come to the campus bookstore?
Books can be obtained through the online bookstore:
http://www.fgcu.bkstr.com/
You can also check the online bookstore to obtain a list
of all textbooks required for all of your courses.
How do I get a syllabus if I
don't come to campus?
You may view electronic course syllabi
by first selecting the course of interest at http://admin.fgcu.edu/is/applications/schedule/schedule.aspx
and then click on syllabus.
Almost all of the distance learning programs use a Course
Management System called ANGEL. If the course is using
ANGEL, the Syllabus will be housed on the course site
in ANGEL. To access ANGEL, go to http://elearning.fgcu.edu.
(There is also a link to ANGEL on the FGCU
home page) Log in to ANGEL using your FGCU “Eagle”
email username and password. All your courses using ANGEL
will be listed once you log in.
How do I turn in assignments
and take tests without coming to campus?
Performance, in many cases,
will be evaluated by papers and projects that can be submitted
electronically. In some cases, online exams will be offered
and in others, proctored exams will be arranged.
The syllabus for your course
should indicate whether proctored exams are required. If
they are, there are two kinds of proctoring arrangements:
You schedule a proctoring time through
the FGCU Testing Center. Contact Janet Ullman, Coordinator-Testing
and Assessment, 239-590-7952. For more information, visit
the
Testing and Assessment website.
OR
Your instructor may ask you to identify
a person where you live or work who is willing to proctor
your exams. In this case, your instructor will provide
you with proctoring forms for you to complete.
How do I find my course
if it is offered online?
It is important that you obtain an FGCU email account
so that your instructor can notify you about the online
course location and also so that you can use ANGEL, the
course management system used by almost all of the Internet-based
courses. You can obtain an FGCU email account at http://admin.fgcu.edu/IS/applications/studentaccts/.
What is ANGEL?
ANGEL is a course management system that is utilized
by most of the online courses offered at FGCU. Faculty
may use ANGEL for course materials, dropboxes for submitting
assignments, online quizzes and exams, discussion forums,
chat rooms, and grades, It is also used in many face-to-face
courses.
If your course is using ANGEL, you will see it listed
once you log in. If you do not see your course listed,
it is possible that it has not yet been “opened”
for students to access, especially if the semester has
not yet begun.
If I am a distance learning student,
can I still use on-campus services and facilities?
Yes, all distance learning
students can come to the campus and use the services and
facilities just like any on-campus student. However, the
majority of your communications and information needs will
be able to be accomplished through the FGCU website, email,
or the telephone.
Sometimes I need a little help
with my schoolwork. How can get that if I’m not on campus?
FGCU Tutoring Services has
on-line help for all FGCU students. Visit their website
at http://studentservices.fgcu.edu/learning/
What is Service Learning
and do I have to do it?
Service Learning is a graduation
requirement for an FGCU undergraduate degree. If you are
a transfer student, you must complete 40 clock hours of
service (i.e.,volunteer work) before you take Senior Seminar.
Maybe you’re already involved in your community in some
way that you can use for this requirement…please contact
Linda Summers lsummers@fgcu.edu
or call 239-590-7016 for more information.
How do I get a Student I.D. (Eagle
ID)?
If possible, come to the Eagle ID Card Office, located in
the Student Union Building, Room #229, to have your
ID photo taken and to get an Eagle ID card. Office hours
are Monday through Friday, 8:00am to 5:00pm.
If coming to campus would cause hardship,
go to the Eagle ID Web site, download the Eagle ID Distance User Request Form,
then mail the completed form along with a copy of a valid photo ID to:
Florida Gulf Coast University
Attn: Eagle ID Card Office
10501 FGCU Blvd. South
Fort Myers, FL 33965
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Visit the FGCU Distance Learning Website at http://itech.fgcu.edu/distance/,
or contact Jennifer Sparrow at jsparrow@fgcu.edu,
(239)590-7084
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