About Distance Education Courses
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 at an LBCC campus.
We offer the following course types (detailed explanations follow) :
ONLINE ~ TELECOURSE ~ INTERACTIVE TELEVISION ~ HYBRID
What is an ONLINE COURSE? LBCC online courses are available to students at home or work and are delivered via the Internet. They are complete courses which include lectures, notes, class discussion, and assignments. The Internet is used as a research tool and allows students to communicate with each other and the instructor through web pages and e-mail. Students should have basic online, e-mail and computer skills. Students are expected to log on regularly and respond to online discussions and e-mail. Students must have access to the Internet through their own provider. Internet access is available on-campus in computer labs and the library. Free e-mail access is provided to all registered students by request through the library or online at www.linnbenton.edu/go/netmail/apply .
What is a TELECOURSE? Telecourses are designed to use a set of video tapes as a substitute for the traditional class lecture. While much of the course content is televised, the majority of information is contained in text and workbook materials. The complete series of telecourse tapes is available for use at no charge from the LBCC library. Enrolled students may check out the tapes for the entire term. The tapes are also televised on Comcast Cable in Benton County on channel 23 one or more times during the week in segments of 30 minutes to an hour in length. A schedule of viewing times is available during the orientation session. Telecourse students are expected to work independently with instructor guidance. Students are also expected to complete and submit assignments and to participate in course activities according to an instructor-defined schedule. Some limited on-campus attendance may be required for review and testing.
What is an (I)nteractive (T)ele(V)ision course? Distance Education courses taught under the designation 'ITV' are live instructional television courses that are transmitted from the LBCC Albany campus to classrooms at the Benton Center in Corvallis, Lebanon Center, and Sweet Home Center. This allows students in those communities access to main campus classes which are generally unavailable at the centers. Eventually, additional ITV courses will also be available at other locations in Linn and Benton Counties. ITV classes permit the students to see, hear, and talk to the instructor and other students over the video network while the class is in session. Students who wish to take the course in a more traditional setting should enroll in the main campus section of the class.
What is a HYBRID course? Hybrid courses require approximately half of the normal classroom attendance by combining two or more delivery styles. An online, video or multimedia component is used as an alternative to the remaining portion of the instruction that a student would otherwise have received on campus. ' Online Portion: For the online portion of a hybrid course, students should have regular access to a computer with an Internet connection. Students should have basic online, e-mail and computer skills. ' In Class Portion: A hybrid course still has regular face to face class meetings, but usually only about half the meetings of a traditional course. A hybrid course meets for the first time on the date and time identified in the class schedule.
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How do I enroll in a distance learning course? Students register for a distance learning class the same way they do for a regular LBCC course. For additional information visit "Frequently Asked Questions" .
When do I attend class? Attending the first class meeting, listed in the schedule, is important because it serves as the orientation session. If unable to attend the orientation or if one is not required, usually the student must contact the instructor during the first week of classes to avoid being dropped from the course. If additional class attendance is required, these meetings will be discussed during the orientation.
