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Distance Education                           

Frequently Asked Questions

Online, Hybrid, & Telecourses -     Getting Started
Question Answer
What is Distance Education, and which courses are offered? In general, Distance Education at Chabot College refers to the alternative mode of course delivery, usually at a "distance" from the classroom or campus, but the real benefit is the ability to obtain education "anywhere, anytime."  In general, DE courses fulfill the same general education and transferability requirements as regular courses, but the course is delivered in alternative modes such as the internet, video, CD-ROM, or any combination, sometimes with on-campus meetings.  Coursework can be completed at the campus, at home, or almost anywhere - flexibility is key. Students don't necessarily need to be technical (although for fully online courses you should be at ease using the internet and have an email account), but most importantly they need to have the discipline to complete their coursework according to the guidelines set by the instructor. To view the schedule of all distance education courses, click here.
Do Distance Education courses fulfill General Education requirements and are they transferable? In general, DE courses fulfill the same general education and transferability requirements as regular courses, but it depends on the course. To find out if a specific course meets GE or transferability requirements, check the Counseling office GE and transferability lists.
What is a hybrid course? Hybrid online courses require you to attend some on-campus meetings in addition to the work that you complete in Blackboard.  If this is the case, those requirements will be listed under each course in the schedule, and are also noted on the course listing on the next page.  Be sure that you can attend these required meetings before registering.
What is a telecourse and how do I begin?
 Most telecourses usually do not require use of a the internet. The main requirements are attending about 5 on-campus meetings (meetings are listed in the class schedule under the course section), study your textbook, view a video series, and complete assignments & quizzes/exams as provided by your instructor. The main skill is having the discipline to complete the coursework, as much time elapses between meetings.
To begin, go to the first telecourse meeting (find the schedule of each course through Class-Web). There is nothing you have to do until the first meeting.  At the first meeting you'll receive the syllabus, information on texts, and you may receive the handout for telecourses & Chabot TV (click "Print out this 1-page PDF"). For most of the courses, you have 3 options for viewing the video series:

Note that we recommend that students enrolled in telecourses first go to their on-campus meeting prior to renting the set of videos in the bookstore, because not all courses use the standard videotape sets.

Is an online course for me?
Students often have the misconception that online courses are easier than regular on-campus courses or do not require textbooks - not true. Online courses go through an additional review process than regular courses, and can be just as demanding, if not more so, than traditional courses. Just like traditional courses, the level of ease/difficulty of the course depends on many factors, such as how the instructor designed the course and and the learning style of the student. To be successful in an online course, students must have the discipline to stay on track with coursework. Students don't necessarily need to be very technical, but you must have your own email account and you need to be able to navigate through the internet and know how to send email with attachments.  If you need to obtain an email account or want to learn more about taking an online course, view an Online Survival Guide. You can also:
How does an online course work?  How do I enroll/begin? Students log into a web-based course management system such as Blackboard several times a week to submit assignments, take quizzes, and communicate with the instructor and classmates (usually in a discussion board). You log in at your own convenience though at least twice a day is advised. Students must have an email account and internet access. Most importantly, you need self-discipline to log in a several times each week, study your textbook, and complete all assignments and quizzes as directed by your instructor.  It is possible that you will not need to come to campus at all unless you are enrolled in a Hybrid course that requires several on-campus meetings per semester (check the catalog for dates, times, and locations).

How to Enroll:
During the regular registration period, you register just as you would a regular class, online through Class-Web.  If the class if full, read how do I contact the instructor.

How to Begin an Online or Hybrid Course:

  1. Review the details of the online course(s) for which you are registered. Make sure that you:
    • Verify the start date (some are late-start classes!)
    • Check for any required on-campus meetings or any other requirements.
       
  2. (Optional) If you are trying to find out information about an online course before the term begins, you can  check to see if your instructor has a website that you can access before the class begins - this is prior to logging into Blackboard. If you don't know your instructor's name, locate your course & the instructor name in Class-Web. Note that most instructors actually won't have a website to view before you will login to Blackboard - that is okay, as they may have everything you need within the Blackboard system.
     
  3. Then, on the date your course is scheduled to begin (or a few days before, if the instructor has made the course site available) follow the steps for Logging in to Blackboard. Please be sure to only bookmark this page http://clpccd.blackboard.com.  Bookmarking this page will prevent common login problems.
Why does the class schedule ask me to pay a $21 optional fee for telecourses?
Telecourses provide an alternative and convenient schedule of a variety of college courses and we are encouraging all students enrolled in telecourses to pay the optional fee of $21. These fees may be paid in person at the Admissions & Records Office or you may also mail a check to the office. We hope your telecourse course learning experience is fulfilling and meets your individual needs.
I have a problem with my set of videos If you have any problems with the set of videos you rented from the bookstore, bring the entire set of videos to the Chabot College Bookstore and exchange it for another set. 
I'm trying to add but the class is full or has already begun. What can I do?
Prior to the class starting, you will have to keep checking Class-Web in case any students have dropped the class. Once the course begins, you can contact the instructor to find out if they are adding additional students.  If the instructor is adding additional students, he/she would have to provide you with a four-digit add-authorization number which Class-Web will ask for when you try to register for the class. If the instructor does not respond to you, contact the division office to find more contact information. Otherwise, try to register for the class next term. You may also find interesting online courses through our Community Education department.
Who do I contact / Where do I go on campus if I need help?
Are there computer labs on campus available for me to use?

The Chabot College Library offers an open computer lab for ALL Chabot students. While use of this lab is free, you must have your W number. The fee for printing is 10 cents per page via the GoPrint pay-for-print system.

 Please note: The Disabled Students Resource Center (DSRC) also offers a computer lab for students who require the use of adaptive technology. The DSRC is located in building 2400.

Does Chabot offer discounts to students to purchase computers or software?

Students may purchase academic or educational versions of many popular software titles at the Chabot College Bookstore. The Bookstore also has computers and accessories (such as USB Flash Drives) available for student purchase. For more information, please visit the Chabot College Bookstore located in building 3800.

The bookstore also partners with Apple Computers and eTechnologystore.com to provide academically-priced hardware, software, and other products. For further information, please visit the Apple Store for Education or eTechnologystore.


Distance Education - Blackboard

Distance Education - Blackboard - Login Help

Distance Education - Blackboard - Technical Problems

Still need help?

Can't find your question in one of these categories?  Submit a Help Request.
 
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