Distance Learning offers students the opportunity to earn credit by participating in non-traditional courses such as online and hybrid classes. Course content and transferability is identical to classes offered on campus, giving students more scheduling options and a wider selection of classes to meet their needs. Find out more about Distance Learning at ACC.
| On this page: | Additional Resources: |
|---|---|
Registering for a Distance Learning Course
- New and prospective students who have never enrolled in ACC college-credit courses should refer to the admissions process for details on becoming an ACC student. All ACC admissions requirements must be met before new students are eligible to register for DL classes.
- Current and returning ACC students do not need to re-apply to the College to register for DL courses. Returning students who have not attended ACC in a year or more are required to update their files with Admissions & Records. Students must clear any holds placed on their records before they can register for classes.
The ACC Course Schedule lists all Distance Learning classes, including instructor contact information, course website URL (if applicable), instructions to complete the mandatory DL Course Orientation, and any other important information students need before registering. See the ACC website for details on how to register for college credit classes. Note: Like other courses, DL sections have limited enrollments and may fill and close prior to the end of registration.
Before You Register for a Distance Learning Course
Visit Distance Learning 101 to get a better understand what is expected of students taking DL courses, and what you can expect from Distance Learning.
- Take the Learning Style Assessment to discover your compatibility with distance education.
- Measure your technology skills—and find tutorials to develop, review, or renew those skills—with the Technical Skills Checklist.
- Find definitions for technical terms in the DL Glossary.
Beginning a Distance Learning Course (DL Course Orientation)
Students must complete an orientation to begin each DL class. The orientation provides students with an introduction to the course, instructor contact information and office hours, the syllabus and supplementary materials, an explanation of the role of technology, assignment and testing deadlines, and performance criteria for the semester. DL Course Orientations are the first step in establishing good communication—both student-to-instructor and student-to-student—and they are critical to the student's successful completion of a DL course.
Refer to your course section's listing in the Course Schedule to find the orientation options and instructions for your class. For example:
PHIL 1301 Introduction to Philosophy
54321 - Internet access required. J. Doe, 223.1234, email: jdoe@austincc.edu MANDATORY online orientation: www.austincc.edu/jdoe during 1st week of class, or attend Sat 5/24 10-11am RGC 110
Students who fail to meet a DL course's orientation requirements may be dropped from the class. If you are unable to complete your DL Course Orientation as scheduled, contact your instructor immediately to determine if any alternatives are available. Note: If there are problems contacting or receiving responses from an instructor, students should contact the Academic Department.
Succeeding in a Distance Learning Course
The following suggestions will help you get the most out of your course. Visit DL Student Resources for additional support information.
- Blackboard is a course management system used to supplement the delivery of many of ACC's Distance Learning and on-campus courses. To find out if your course is taught using Blackboard, complete your DL Course Orientation — Blackboard information will be provided if applicable to your DL class.
- Review the syllabus for details about textbooks and other required materials.
- Purchase textbooks, software, and other instructional supplies from the ACC Bookstore.
- For Online (PCM) Courses: Internet access and email are required. Students may use their own computers or the Computer Labs on campus.
- For Instructional Television (ITV) Courses: Review ITV viewing options, and check the Cable TV Schedule to find broadcast details for each course.
- Note all assignment due dates and test deadlines given in the syllabus. Familiarize yourself with the course's testing requirements and procedures.
- For most DL classes, including online (PCM) courses, students use the Academic Testing Centers on campus to satisfy course testing requirements.
- Students who live outside the Austin-area and cannot travel to an ACC testing center may be able to have their exams proctored at another location through the Distance Testing program. Instructor pre-approval is required. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss testing options with the instructor prior to registering for the class.
- Get in the habit of communicating frequently with your instructor. Let the instructor know if you have any questions or concerns about the course. (If you have trouble reaching your DL instructor, contact the Academic Department.)
- If you are a new student, make sure to get your ACC Student ID Card early in the semester; it is required to use campus services such as Libraries, Testing Centers, and Computer Labs.
Download Adobe Reader to view and print PDF files.