What are distance learning courses?

Distance learning courses offer students the flexibility of completing some or all of their coursework and assignments without having to regularly attend classes on an ECC campus.

ECC currently offers three forms of distance learning course delivery:

1.   Online Courses

2.   Hybrid Courses

3.   Telecourses

What is an Online Course?

In an online course, students access some or all of the course material and participate in course activities over the internet. Students can work from any internet-connected computer to complete assignments and interact with other students and the instructor. Textbooks are normally required in addition to the online course material. Students should attend the course orientation during the first week of the semester (see “Orientation” below). To participate in an online course, students should have regular access to a computer (Windows 95 or better) with an internet connection.  Students should also have some familiarity with internet use, email use, and file management (saving files, downloading files, attaching files to email). Students are expected to work independently with instructor guidance. Online courses are not self-paced. Students are required to complete and submit assignments or participate in course activities according to an instructor-defined schedule.

What is a Hybrid Course?

In a hybrid course, an online component is used as a substitute for a portion of the instruction that a student would otherwise receive in a campus classroom or lab. Hybrid courses meet approximately 50% of the normal classroom hours on campus and students do the remainder of their work online.
Online Portion:
To participate in the online portion of a hybrid course, students should have regular access to a computer (Windows 95 or better) with an Internet connection. Students should also have some familiarity with Internet use, email use, and file management (saving files, downloading files, attaching files to email).
In Class Portion:
A hybrid course still has regular on-campus class meetings, but usually only about half the meetings of a regular on-campus course. A hybrid course meets for the first time on the date and time identified in the course listing. The on-campus meeting requirements will be discussed during this first meeting.

What is a Telecourse?

In a telecourse, students use a set of video tapes as a substitute for the traditional class lecture. The video tapes can be signed out during the course orientation.*  A textbook and other course material are typically required in addition to the video tapes.  Students should attend the course orientation during the first week of the semester (see “Student Orientation” below). Telecourse students are expected to work independently with instructor guidance.  Students are expected to complete and submit assignments or participate in course activities according to an instructor-defined schedule. For information about a specific telecourse, contact the course instructor (contact information provided with the course listing).

Some telecourse video material can be viewed on Educational Access Cable (Adelphia).  A schedule of viewing times and channels is available during the orientation session.

*Student Orientation for Online and Telecourses:

All students registered for an Online or Telecourse should attend the student orientation. The time and location of the orientations are provided in the course listings. This meeting time is for the first week of classes only. If additional class attendance is required, these meetings will be discussed during the orientation. If unable to attend the orientation, the student must contact the instructor during the first week of classes to avoid being dropped from the course. Some faculty offer online orientation.

Faculty Contact Information

How to Register for a Distance Learning course:

Students register for a distance learning course the same way they do a regular ECC course. See Registration procedures.

Continuing students can register on the web at: http://webadvisor.ecc.edu

Please Note: Erie Community College Supports ANGEL Software. Support for other course development software should be obtained from the software vendor.