Distance Learning at FGCU
FAQ about Distance Learning
- What Is Distance Learning?
- How does the instruction occur if the students and the instructor are not in the same place?
- Is Distance Learning For Me?
- Do you get different credit for a distance learning course than you do for an on-campus, face-to-face course?
- If I register for a distance learning course, do I have to complete my entire degree through those kinds of offerings?
- Can I earn a full degree through distance learning courses?
- How Long Will It Take To Complete My Degree?
- Can I Take A Course Without Being Formally Admitted To FGCU?
- What Degrees Can Be Earned Through Distance Learning?
- What Types of Distance Learning Courses Are Available?
- How do I get my textbooks if I can’t come to the campus bookstore?
- How do I get a syllabus if I don't come to campus?
- How do I turn in assignments and take tests without coming to campus?
- How do I find my course if it is offered online?
- What is Canvas?
- If I am a distance learning student, can I still use on-campus services and facilities?
- Sometimes I need a little help with my schoolwork. How can I get that if I’m not on campus?
- What is Service Learning and do I have to do it?
- How do I get a Student I.D.?
- General Questions Contact Information
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 (or Virtual) 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 on pre-determined dates and times; and uses email and other online discussions methods for communicating (this is commonly reffered to as a hybrid course);
- 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:
- Web-based communication that allows for both 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 typically requires four years of full time study (15 credits per Spring and Fall semester). Many distance learners have other commitments and are unable to enroll full time. A part-time learner usually requires more time to complete a bachelor's degree.
A traditional Master's degree typically takes between one and two years to complete. A part-time learner can take as much as 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
Also, a significant number of courses are available as distance learning options 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 the Internet. Courses designed for delivery through the Internet usually involve: reading assignments; a textbook; written papers and assignments submitted online; tests and quizes; and web-based discussions. Some Internet courses also require a limited number of face-to-face class sessions.
Two-way Interactive Video Courses
An on-campus section of a course is scheduled to meet in a classroom on campus utilizing 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 Centers in Naples, Cape Coral, and Charlotte County, also equipped with video conferencing systems and connected to the campus 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:
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 courses use Canvas, FGCU's Course Management System. If the course is using Canvas, the Syllabus will be housed on the course site in Canvas. To access Canvas, go to http://canvas.fgcu.edu/. (There is also a link to Canvas on the FGCU home page) Log in to Canvas using your FGCU “Eagle” email username and password. All your courses using Canvas 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:
1) You schedule a proctoring time through the FGCU Testing Center. Contact the Testing Center at (239) 590-7955. For more information, visit the Testing Center website.
OR
2) 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 e-mail account so that your instructor can notify you about the online course location and also so that you can use Canvas, the course management system used by most of the online courses offered at FGCU. For information on obtaining and activating an FGCU e-mail account, visit http://eagle.fgcu.edu/policies.html.
What is Canvas?
Canvas is a course management system that is utilized by most of the online courses offered at FGCU. Faculty may use Canvas 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 Canvas, 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. However, the majority of your communications and information needs can be accomplished through the FGCU website, e-mail, or the telephone.
Sometimes I need a little help with my schoolwork. How can I get that if I’m not on campus?
FGCU Tutoring Services are available. The Center for Academic Assistance is a good resource for tutoring information. Visit the tutoring section of the Center for Academic Achievement website at http://www.fgcu.edu/CAA/tutoring.html.
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 call the Eagles Connect Service Learning Office at (239) 590-7015 for more information.
How do I get a Student I.D. (Eagle ID)?
For this and other questions about FGCU Eagle ID's, visit the the Eagle ID Card Office website at http://www.fgcu.edu/EagleID/getit.html.
General Questions
Visit the FGCU Distance Learning Website at http://itech.fgcu.edu/distance/
OR
Contact the college offereing the Distance Learning program or course:
