Distance Education Recommended Practices and Procedures

Using WebCT/ANGEL Learning as the Entrance Portal to All Online Learning

Although we highly recommend the use of WebCT (ANGEL beginning 2009) as our online teaching tool, UCC faculty members have the prerogative to use any software package or combination of software that they find pedagogically appropriate and sound. 

We have found that many students find it less confusing when all of their online courses are listed in one place, through a "portal" for their online learning experience.  We highly recommend that you use WebCT/ANGEL as the starting point for your distance education course even if it is just as a stepping stone to other areas.

If you need any assistance or would like to discuss the options, please contact the Distance Education Department.

908-497-4364/4363  email: uccOnline@ucc.edu

Distance Education Formats

Online Learning Courses – delivered entirely at-a-distance over the Internet, they are the equivalent of traditionally delivered courses. Online Learning courses will have no face-to-face meetings with the option of one proctored exam.

Blended Learning Courses – combine traditional on-campus, face-to-face class meetings with distance learning. Blended Learning courses will have three (3) face-to-face options:

• Four (4) 80 minute class meetings
  • weeks 1, 5, 9, 14
  • listed in the schedule as M4, T4, W4, R4, F4 with the meeting time
• Seven (7) 80 minute class meetings
  • every other week
  • odd weeks listed M1, T1, W1, R1, F1 on the schedule with meeting times
  • even weeks listed M2, T2, W2, R2, F2 on the schedule with meeting times
•  Fourteen (14) 80 minute class meetings
  • once a week or 50% of the traditional class meetings
  • regularly scheduled time

Final exams for all three options will be given during the scheduled final exam week.

Communication with Distance Education Students

The Distance Education Department has the following procedures in place to communicate with students who enroll in an online course. 

Prior to the start of each semester, online students are mailed a postcard to the address they provided at registration.  The mailing starts 4-6 weeks prior to the semester start date and continues up to the day after the last day of registration.

The postcard (see below) congratulates them on enrolling in an online course and points them to the Distance Education Web Site and specifically, the Online Student Starter Kit.    

A similar postcard was developed, printed on bright yellow stock and was sent to students who will use the ANGEL LMS during the pilot in the Fall 2008 semester. 

Online Student Starter Kit

The WebCT Online Student Starter Kit and the ANGEL Online Student Starter Kit contains all the preliminary information the student needs on the course and instructor, logon information, and "where to get help". 

Student Access to Courses

Student account information (name, ID, password, email) is created and students are enrolled into classes three (3) days prior to the semester start date and continues every business day until the day after the last day of registration. 

Instructors will enable student access to their courses four (4) days before classes begin. This policy enables students to see their class listed when they logon eliminating many unnecessary emails and phone calls to DE and the instructor.

Note: The entire course does not have to be available consider a Welcome discussion for students to introduce themselves; access to syllabus, text requirements, list of resources and materials they will need; a pre-test, game or other activity to get them started.

Instructor Communication with Students

It is recommended that the instructors be very specific in their communication parameters with the students, clearly defining a reasonable return time on email, assignments, grades, and other communication requests.

Additional Policies and Procedures may be found by selecting either ANGEL Learning or WebCT under Policies/Procedures on the left menu above.