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1. What is Distance Learning?
2. What type of student should take distance learning courses?
3. Are Distance Learning courses self-paced?
4. Can anyone take a Distance Learning course?
5. Do I get the same credit? Will it transfer?
6. Do Distance Learning courses have enrollment limits?
7. How do I contact my instructor?
8. What is Moodle? Does my course use Moodle? How do I login to Moodle?
9. Are Distance Learning courses easier than traditional courses?
10. How do you track attendance?
11. Do I need a home computer to take a Distance Learning course?
12. What courses are offered via Distance Learning?
13. How do I register for a Distance Learning Course?
14. Do I need a textbook?
1. What is Distance Learning?
Distance Learning (DL) provides Trocaire students with a flexible, convenient way to earn college credit. Instead of attending traditional on-campus classes, students satisfy course objectives independently using interactive internet instructional technologies. DL course activities may include reading textbooks and study guides, engaging in online chats, watching videos or streamed media, participating in group projects, using online discussion boards, and writing papers. Each DL class has an instructor who interacts with students, leads the course, and provides assistance. DL students should expect to spend at least as much time and cover the same course materials and objectives as in the equivalent course on campus.
Some DL courses at Trocaire are labeled as “hybrid” courses. In a hybrid course you meet on campus as a whole class a few times a semester, but complete most of your coursework online. You may meet on campus at the beginning of the semester, and then again to take tests, exams, or give class presentations. Please refer to your course syllabus for more detailed information.
2. What type of student should take distance learning courses?
Distance learning courses are not for everyone! The most important characteristic of a distance learning student is self-motivation. You will not have an instructor in front of you reminding you to complete assignments. You must motivate yourself to get your work done in a timely manner. If you are a procrastinator, a distance learning course is not a wise choice.
You should not take a distance learning course if you are not computer literate or do not feel comfortable with your computer skills. You do not have to be an expert, but you should have some experience with:
- Navigating through files and on-screen menus
- Maneuvering a mouse
- Backing-up and organizing files
- Using the Internet
- Attaching files to email
Online courses are not designed to teach you how to use software, manage files, navigate the Internet, or use email. Rather, you should have these skills before enrolling to ensure your success.
For more information please take the Technical and Student Skills Quiz located here: http://www.trocaire.edu/online-quiz/are-you-ready-to-learn-online.html
3. Are distance learning courses self-paced?
No, in most courses you must keep up with a weekly schedule of course work. Courses are instructor led and follow the same semester schedule as traditional courses. All specific course information such as how to reach the instructor, what work is expected, and deadlines to turn in assignments and take tests will be found in your course site.
4. Can anyone take a Distance Learning course?
The enrollment process is the same for all students, regardless of whether they take on-campus or DL courses. All standard admissions, registration, and payment procedures apply.
Prior to enrolling in an online class, all current Trocaire students must complete the Technical Skills Quiz and the Student Skills Quiz - even if you have previously taken an online course. Once you have completed both quizzes, print out the results and take them to the Registrar's Office (Room B14) in order to enroll in an online course.
Quizzes can be found here: http://www.trocaire.edu/online-quiz/are-you-ready-to-learn-online.html
Once registered, you must attend a MANDATORY on-campus orientation session. This orientation will cover the basics of distance learning and our Learning Management System, Moodle. Failure to attend a session may result in you being dropped from the course.
5. Do I get the same credit? Will it transfer?
Distance Learning courses are fully accredited; course content and transferability to four-year colleges is identical to courses offered on campus. DL courses are not designated any differently than classroom-based courses.
Tuition and fees for DL courses are exactly the same as for on-campus courses. Tuition payment options and deadlines are the same as for DL courses as for all Trocaire credit courses.
6. Do Distance Learning courses have enrollment limits?
Like all Trocaire credit courses, DL course sections have limited enrollments and may fill and close prior to the end of the registration period. Also like traditional Trocaire courses, our class sizes are kept small to ensure personal, one on one attention for each student.
7. How do I contact my instructor?
To ensure your success, we have developed an important, MANDATORY on-campus orientation session for all new Distance Learning students.
At the orientation we will cover the basics of distance learning and our Learning Management System, Moodle. At the orientation you will learn how to use the messaging system within Moodle to communicate with your professor.
8. What is Moodle? Does my course use Moodle? How do I login to Moodle?
Moodle is an online course management system used to deliver the Distance Learning courses and in some cases supplement the on-campus courses.
To login to Moodle, open a web browser and navigate to: http://trocaire.crhosts.com
All Trocaire students should receive a letter in the mail with your Moodle username and password. If you haven’t received the letter, please contact Jeremiah Grabowski (grabowskij@trocaire.edu).
9. Are Distance Learning courses easier than traditional courses?
No, online classes cover the exact same material that face to face classes do, but due to the method of delivery it sometimes takes students longer to cover the material.
10. How do you track attendance?
Just as in traditional courses, all Distance Learning students are required to participate in class on a weekly basis. Attendance is kept by your professor, and is based on your interaction and participation within the course’s Moodle site.
A student will be marked as absent for the week if they fail to complete the weekly tasks, and assignments for the week. Excessive absences may result in a FX grade for the course.
Please contact your professor for more detail on their online attendance policy.
11. Do I need a home computer to take a Distance Learning course?
Having your own computer is highly recommended, but not necessary. Trocaire College doesn’t require you to own a home computer to participate in a Distance Learning course. There are multiple computer labs on campus with the required hardware and software needed. Also, computers are available at all public libraries.
If you do have a computer at home, make sure it is fairly new, no more than 4 years old and at least running Windows XP or Mac OS X and updated with all the latest service packs.
12. What courses are offered via Distance Learning?
For a complete listing of Distance Learning courses please visit: http://www.trocaire.edu/current/distance-learning/
13. How do I register for a Distance Learning Course?
Prior to registering for an online class, all current Trocaire students must complete the Technical Skills Quiz and the Student Skills Quiz - even if you have previously taken an online course at Trocaire, or another institution. Once you have completed both quizzes, print out the results and take them to the Registrar's Office (Room B14) in order to register for an online course.
Quizzes can be found here: http://www.trocaire.edu/online-quiz/are-you-ready-to-learn-online.html
14. Do I need a textbook?
Just like traditional courses, textbooks are up to the discretion of your professor. Please consult your course syllabus to see if you need to purchase a textbook.
