Distance Education Courses

What is Distance Education?

Distance Education is a course delivery method in which students do not have to be physically present in the same location as the instructor or other students. Course content is delivered through technology, such as the internet or pre-recorded programs. Students and instructors communicate with each other using online and other technologies.

What types of Distance Education courses are there?

Moorpark College offers four types of Distance Education courses:

	Online: the course is conducted through the internet using a course management system (Blackboard Vista), with regular weekly content posted by the instructor and weekly assignments and discussions. Some online courses require an orientation meeting scheduled on campus.
	Online with onsite testing: as in an online class the course is conducted through the internet; however, course examinations are scheduled to occur on campus. Attendance at examinations is required. Photo identification may be required on the day of the examination.
	Hybrid: a portion of the class instruction, assignments, assessments and communication is conducted online and the rest is conducted during regularly scheduled classroom meetings. The schedule will indicate that a certain number of hours per week are arranged, while the rest of the hours have listed days, times, and a room.
	Televideo: the course content is delivered through recorded lectures, available either as DVDs or VHS cassettes in the bookstore. Some course videos may be downloadable through the internet. An orientation and examinations are scheduled on campus.

In addition, some instructors use the online course managment system to supplement their on-ground courses.

Web Enhanced: All regular class meeting times are on campus. The instructor may use the course management system to post materials that can be accessed via the internet or use online communication tools outside of regular class hours.

What is required to take a Distance Education class?

For online and hybrid classes:

• access to a computer with an internet connection
• a valid email address
• familiarity with computer applications, including word processing and email

Computers are available for student use in the Library Learning Resources open computer lab. Highspeed DSL or cable internet access is highly recommended. Please click here for minimum system requirements for using the online course management system.

Attendance is required at all scheduled on-campus meetings, including orientations and examinations. In addition to providing critical information for participating in and passing a course, orientations provide an opportunity to meet the instructor. Examinations may be proctored; however, it is the student's responsibility to contact the instructor to arrange mutually acceptable proctoring facilities and times.

I've signed up for an online class, now what do I do?

In webSTAR there is a course note attached to the CRN number. Check the note for the dates of orientations and examinations. The instructor's email contact will also be listed here.

One week before the class starts, students can log into the course management system through webSTAR, http://students.vcccd.edu/webstar. Your user name is your student ID number and your password is the 6 digit password for your webSTAR account. Please click here for additional login instructions.

Once you have logged into the class, you should read the course syllabus and any welcome information the instructor has posted. Instructors can view which students have logged into the course and may drop any student who does not log in during the first week of the class.

If you have trouble logging in, trouble shooting instructions are available at www.moorparkcollege.edu/dehelp or contact the help desk at 805-652-7777.

What do I need to access the course through the Library Learning Resources open computer lab?

Students must bring their own headphones for courses with video and audio components. Current Library Learning Resources hours are posted at www.moorparkcollege.edu/library.