Getting Started with Distance Learning - Aiken Technical College

Getting Started with your Online Course

It is very important for students to take a little time a week or so before a semester begins to prepare for a distance learning course.

System Requirements

In order to take a hybrid online, online or web-enhanced course, students must have access to the following minimum computing tools:

Windows 2000 or XP. Macintosh OS 10.2 , 10.3, 10.4
256 MB RAM (more RAM strongly recommended)
CD-ROM drive
Sound card with speakers or headphones
Internet access (T1, DSL, cable or satellite high-speed connection strongly recommended. 56k modem will be very slow for classes with multimedia content)
A word processing program
Virus protection software. E-mail or attachments with viruses may be immediately deleted and not received by an instructor. It is the students' responsibility to ensure that submitted work is virus-free.
A recent version of Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox
Java JRE plugin
Microsoft Office Viewers (for viewing and printing Word, PowerPoint and other Microsoft applications)
Adobe Acrobat Reader (for viewing and printing PDF files)
Real Player (for viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips)
Apple Quick Time (for viewing QuickTime video)
Flash Player (for viewing animations or using interactive content)
Adobe Shockwave Player (for viewing animations or using interactive content)
Windows Media Player (for viewing streaming video or listening to streaming audio clips)
Specific hardware/software that may be required by the course

Computer Skills and Availability

In order to successfully participate in online and hybrid courses, students must have basic skills in personal computer operation. These skills include word processing, sending and receiving e-mail (including file attachments), and using a web browser, including searching for information and downloading files.

Personal computer problems are not valid reasons for failure to meet course requirements. Students encountering problems with their personal computers can use computers in labs on the college campus to access online courses.

Distance Learning Orientation

Students enrolled in their first hybrid or online course are encouraged to attend an in-person orientation at the beginning of the semester. In the orientation, students will learn how to navigate their internet courses and use the communication features that are so important to online student success. Days, times, and locations for orientations are available through the Orientation Schedule link on this page.

Initiate Contact

Online students must access their courses by the end of the Add/Drop period for a given course. Failure to do this will subject students to being dropped from courses as "no shows." Once students have access to an online course they are able to contact the instructor and classmates through e-mail and other communication tools within the course.

Students in hybrid and live two-way video courses start as they would in any class.

Participation Requirements

Online courses are not self-paced. Most online courses are structured within the framework of a semester. Although some courses may require students to come to campus or arrange a proctor for supervised tests and/or labs, there are no regularly scheduled campus class attendance requirements. However, online courses require regular participation. For example, observing assignment due dates, regularly logging in, and participating in online correspondence with instructors and classmates. Students who determine that they are unable to complete the requirements of a course must contact their instructor right away. Students should refer to the withdrawal policy in the ATC Catalog for details. Students who are unable to keep up with participation requirements on a regular basis may be withdrawn, at the instructor's discretion, for excessive absence.