FACT SHEET FOR
DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS
There are many facets to distance
learning at TVCC. This information may
help answer some of your questions.
1. TVCC offers distance learning courses
via the Internet, two-way video and through videotapes (Telecourses).
Telecourses require you to come to an orientation during the first few days of
classes (check your syllabus for times, dates, and location). Telecourses also
require you to come to a campus at least 4 to 5 times a semester for testing.
Internet courses may or may not have an on-campus orientation. Check your
syllabus for orientation information. Internet courses use the internet for
testing and require you to go to a college’s testing center or use an approved
proctor. There is NO testing for credit at home.
2. All distance education syllabi are
online. To access your syllabus go to http://www.tvcc.edu/Depts/dist.learning/dist_ed_syllabi.htm
.
3. If a course is offered by Internet,
it may be taught through a program called BLACKBOARD/WEBCT, hereafter referred
to as BB/WEBCT. Some Internet courses are NOT taught through this program and
use the instructor’s website. Your syllabus will clarify this information for
you. If the course is not taught through BB/WEBCT you must email your
instructor immediately in order for the instructor to send you your
assignments, instructions, etc. If an internet course is offered through
BB/WEBCT go to https://ecourses.tvcc.edu to log into your course.
4. For Spring 2008, the log in and password information
has changed. The new log in (user ID) and password will now be the same.
(Example log in: User Name: doej1234; Password:
Doej1234), except the first letter will be capitalized on the
password. Login using your last name, first initial and the last 4 digits of
your Social security number. Upon initial login, the student will have to
create an 8-digit password that conforms to the strong password security
requirements. If they don't, they will get these error messages until they
comply.
a.
Please enter a password with at
least 8 characters.
b. Your
password does not meet the strong password requirement. It must include 3 of
the following types of characters: Uppercase letters, lowercase letters,
numbers, and symbols. For example: Pa55w*rd.
5. If your course is taught by BB/WEBCT, do not attempt to log in until first day of classes for your appropriate semester. If you register late, it will take a few days for you to be able to log in.
6. All distance learning students are entitled to the same rights and services as face-to-face students in a traditional classroom. Consult the online TVCC catalog (http://www.tvcc.edu/catalog/) for student services information.
7. Library resources are available online to distance learning students. Go to http://www.tvcc.edu/lrc/catalogs.aspx and click on “Distance Learning Students.” For assistance contact the LRC staff or click on the help menu.
8. The Virtual College of Texas (VCT) is a consortium of Texas community colleges that offer courses to students who are unable to find needed courses at their home college. If you are attending TVCC and the course you need for your degree or graduation is not offered by TVCC you may reserve space in a class at another VCT college. The class will be transcripted through TVCC. Go to http://www.vct.org. Click on “Schedule”. Search for your needed course that is not available at TVCC. Find it and contact TVCC’s Distance Learning Office, 903-675-6324 for further assistance. Note: It will normally take a week for a VCT course to be approved and a section number created for that class. You may not register for this class if it is not approved and a section number is not created. All approved VCT classes will be posted on http://TrinityValleyCommunityCollege.vct.org/credit. If the class is not on TVCC’s “Local Course Schedule” you will not be allowed to register for that course.
Revised: November 8, 2007