Getting off on the right foot is important in any course, but it is
especially critical for success in distance learning courses.
Capable, committed and conscientious students usually are successful
distance learners, but it is easy to get overwhelmed with job and/or
family obligations and fall behind in college courses when there are
no regularly scheduled class meetings. This page has some suggestions
for how students can start off right and achieve success as distance
learners.
Orientation for Distance Learning Students
An
on-campus orientation meeting will be held at VWCC this
fall.
Please make plans to attend the session
on Thursday, May15th at 6 PM or
complete your course's online orientation.
If you are new to distance learning you
should also complete the online orientation
http://live.vw.vccs.edu/orientsu07/
Note: This is separate from the general freshman orientation
(STD 100) for all new curricular students.
Course Syllabus
In distance
learning courses, the syllabus is an important link between the
instructor and the student. It is important that students read
through the entire syllabus and follow the instructions. Students
should ask the instructor about any questions regarding course
policies and procedures that are not covered in the syllabus.
Tips
for Success
Distance learning courses are designed for students who (a) live far
from campus, (b) have mobility and/or transportation difficulties,
or (c) have busy lives, demanding jobs, family obligations, and
tight schedules. Because distance learning courses ordinarily have
no classroom meetings, more of the responsibility rests with the
student to learn the material and complete the assignments. The
two main reasons for failure in distance learning courses are
procrastination and an inability to study and comprehend the material.
Students mistakenly think that distance learning courses will be easier,
but often discover that the opposite is the case. The course
content and requirements are essentially the same, but are done without
classroom instruction. Here are some suggestions for success in
distance learning courses:
-
Don't overcommit yourself. Sign up only for the number of
courses you can handle with your other obligations - no more than
if they were regular courses.
- Get
the materials right away (videotapes, textbooks, handouts, etc.).
-
Stay in touch with the instructor by phone or email.
-
Follow the schedule of due dates.
-
Set
aside a regular time and place for
studying.
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If you are in a class that began on a
different start date,
your Drop date and your Withdrawal
date will be different. Please check with Admissions
to find out those specific dates.
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New
students and
students
who have
not attended
Virginia Western
in the past three
years must
complete an
Application for
Admission.
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Telephone
registration
instructions
may be found in
the Schedule
of Classes
and on the
college's web
page.
Students may
also come to
campus and
register in
person.
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