Distance Learning

ACCeID

The ACCeID provides faculty with one ID and password to access most online ACC applications including Blackboard, Library Services, ACC Online Services, and Wireless access. Refer to the website for instructions on how to activate an ACCeID account and manage your password, as well as FAQs and contact information for assistance.

Blackboard

Blackboard is the online course management system used to supplement the delivery of many of ACC's Distance Learning and on-campus courses. DL faculty are strongly encouraged to use Blackboard—its features can help provide students greater access to course information, including the syllabus and faculty contact information, and instructional resources through one convenient portal. Faculty should refer to the Blackboard Support website for essential information on getting started using Blackboard, as well as Faculty and Student FAQs, Quick Start Guides, and Blackboard User Manuals. Note: Faculty, staff, and students use their ACCeID to access Blackboard. Instructions for getting started and activating the ACCeID can be found on the ACC website.

Early Intervention

DL's Early Intervention program focuses on DL students who may need additional support in a non-traditional learning environment, and assists faculty in keeping those students in their DL courses as active participants. By reaching out to at-risk students as early in the semester as possible, we can increase their opportunities for success in distance education courses at ACC. Faculty should use the Early Intervention Request Form to contact Distance Learning for assistance in reaching students who have missed orientations, fallen behind in coursework, neglected to submit assignments or exams, or if we can provide student services referral information to you or your students. Note: Students attending Texas public colleges can withdraw from no more than six courses during their undergraduate career. The ACC Student Handbook offers complete details about this rule. DL faculty are strongly encouraged to submit an Early Intervention request before withdrawing non-participating students from DL courses.

Online Services

ACC Online Services provides an online interface to Datatel. Faculty may use Online Services to check teaching schedules, generate current class rosters, and submit student final performance grades.

Syllabus

In order to make course information readily available to all students, DL faculty are expected to place their course syllabus online. Please post your current syllabus on your course website or in Blackboard. The syllabus is an especially important resource for DL students; it must be accurate and complete, and provide all necessary information for students to maximize their time and efforts and complete the course successfully.

Virtual College of Texas (VCT)

If you have agreed to participate in the VCT program this semester, you should have received a preliminary VCT Reservation Roster at the end of the registration period listing the VCT students in your course, along with their contact information and VCT Host College details. Please if you did not receive a preliminary roster.

VCT students register at their local Host College; therefore, they do not appear on ACC class rosters or grade reports. VCT has recently implemented a system that allows instructors to sign Host Colleges' Date of Record Rosters and VCT Final Grade Reports online, eliminating the need to mail original documents between ACC and the Host Colleges. For detailed information about accessing VCT Date of Record Rosters and Final Grade Reports online, refer to VCT Information for ACC Faculty.

The VCT testing procedure is similar to the Distance Testing process. A VCT Testing Transmittal Form must be included with the exam materials when submitted to DL. To expedite processing, please submit one set of exams for each student on the VCT preliminary roster. If you have multiple VCT Host Colleges represented on your roster, you may submit one VCT Testing Transmittal Form; leave the student and VCT Host College information blank, and we'll copy and complete the individual transmittals for you. The Host College testing proctor will return completed exams directly to you for grading. If you have a VCT student wishing to complete exams at a location other than the designated VCT Host College, DL will need confirmation documentation from the proctoring institution, as stated in the Distance Testing procedure.

Distance Learning 101

As the session begins, you may have students in your classes wondering if they know the answer to that question. If you discover that your students are having some problems with distance education, encourage them to visit Distance Learning 101. They'll be able to explore their learning style compatibility with distance education through the Learning Style Assessment; measure their technology skills and find tutorials to develop, review, or renew those skills in the Technical Skills Checklist; and participate in the interactive Passport to Success workshop to learn the basics of distance education at ACC, acquire study tips and strategies, and access college-wide student support services as well as services especially for Distance Learning students.

Distance Learning Counselor

ACC now offers specialized counseling services to address the unique needs of Distance Learning students. The Distance Learning Counselor will work with DL students to help them understand how to select appropriate courses and decide on reasonable academic loads, and address other Student Services questions regarding online and distance education. If any of your Distance Learning students have Student Services-related concerns, encourage them to , or contact her by phone at 223.8187.

ITV Viewing Information & Cable TV Schedule

Each ITV instructor receives a beginning-of-the-semester packet that includes programming information (the "Telecourse Info Sheet"), as well as other support materials. ITV instructors must include the Telecourse Info Sheet and viewing information in the course syllabus. Refer students to the Instructional Television (ITV) website for complete details on ITV viewing options and the Cable TV Schedule.

Library Services for DL Students

DL students have access to Library resources via telephone, computer, and mail, in addition to the on-campus ACC Libraries. For complete details about the Library services available for DL students, visit the Library Services website. DL students may also or call 223.3066 for assistance.

Student Evaluation of Faculty

ACC faculty evaluations are conducted each fall. Feedback received from the evaluations is vital to the success of the program; it is shared with instructional departments, and used to improve DL courses to better meet student needs. During the evaluation period, DL students login to ACC Online Services and choose "Distance Learning Faculty Evaluation" from the menu. After selecting the current term, a list of the student's DL courses will be displayed, along with the faculty names teaching the courses. The student selects each course/faculty member, completes the evaluation, and submits it. Refer to the DL Faculty Evaluation Tutorial for additional information. Note: Once an evaluation has been submitted, the student is no longer able to evaluate that course and instructor. Students will not be able to use the online evaluation once they have received a final grade for the course.

Student ID Cards

ACC students must present a Student ID Card in order to use the Academic Testing Centers, Libraries, Learning Labs, and other campus-based services. Students can come to any campus Admissions & Records Office to have the photo ID card made. Students must present a valid state or federally issued photo ID, such as a Driver's License, to receive their permanent ACC Student ID card. Note: ID cards for Distance Learning students are not mailed. Remind students to visit a campus Admissions & Records Office early in the semester to obtain an ID card so they won't experience problems later when needing to take exams or use other campus services.

Textbook Purchasing Options

Students may purchase textbooks for DL courses with on-site orientations at the campus bookstore where the orientation is held. Textbooks for courses with online orientations may be purchased at the Rio Grande ACC Bookstore. Information on textbook purchasing options, Bookstore locations, and hours of operation is available on the ACC Bookstore website.

Tutoring Options

DL students may visit the Learning Labs on campus for tutoring and tailored individual instruction. Services include one-on-one and group tutoring as well as tutor-lead study groups in a variety of subject areas. Refer DL students to the Learning Labs website for information about tutoring and computer lab services available, as well as campus locations and hours of operation.

ACC students may also take advantage of free online tutoring services from SMARTHINKING. Live, one-on-one help is offered in the following areas: Writing, Grammar, Mathematics, Statistics, Accounting, Spanish, and Economics. Free SMARTHINKING service is limited to 15 hours a semester. Interested students should contact the Learning Labs for account Username/Password and login instructions.