HELPFUL INFORMATION

Instructor
Technical Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
College Site Maps

Instructor

The instructor is available during scheduled office hours by e-mail, phone/voicemail, and by scheduled appointment for personal visits. The instructor will also monitor the class Discussion Forum. The Distance Learning Office staff should be able to answer general questions regarding Coastline and the Distance Learning Program.

Lorie Eber J.D.
leber@coastline.edu
(714) 241-6139 ext.- 2 (office phone)
(714) 241-6287 (Fax)
Office Hours: Wednesdays 1:00 - 2:00 pm

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Technical Assistance

We suggest you check out the "Self-Help" module, which can be accessed from the Distance Learning Department home page, to review skills needed to take a Distance Learning or Online class. If you still need technical help, try our technical help call-back desk at (714) 241-6304 Mon-Fri 8:30-4:30 p.m or try the web help bulletin board at http://dl.coastline.edu/technicalhelp.html.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I'm new to distance learning; what will be expected of me?

A. In this Web-based course, academic expectations are similar to a classroom course. Do the reading in the assigned text, take quizzes and exams, participate in class discussions, watch videos, do some outside research, consult with your instructor if you need help. The difference is that many of these activities can be performed at a distance from the comfort of your own home and computer. For example you may participate in electronic discussion forums (like class discussions- but not in real time), do research (on the Internet), talk to your instructor (e-mail or phone), take quizzes (on-line) and submit assignments (electronically). Detailed guidance is provided on the course Website to assist you and clarify expectations for the course.

Q. What equipment/software will I need?

A. This varies depending on the particular class. For Web courses you will need at very minimum a 133 Mhz multimedia computer with a 56K modem and a hook-up to the World-Wide-Web. If possible, a Pentium speed 133 mhz or faster machine with a 56K modem and a direct Internet account is preferable. You will also need an e-mail address with the ability to send and receive messages. It is important to be able to use either the latest version of Netscape or Internet Explorer as your Internet browser. While America Online will provide some Internet access, direct Internet accounts are preferable such as those available from Earthlink, GTE, Pacific Bell, and others. Some course content is available by streaming video. For this you will need a "plug-in" (a small software program) called RealPlayer. This player for viewing and listening to streaming audio/video files may be downloaded and installed on your computer for free. Note: if you are in the local area and do not have access to a computer or your computer does not meet the minimum requirements, arrangements can be made for use of a computer at the Coastline Garden Grove Information Commons. Please notify your instructor as soon as possible.

Q. What if the Viewing Lessons won't work on my computer?

A. Not all courses have viewing lessons. If your course has viewing lessons, there are links to the media on the Schedule page. If you are in the local area, viewing centers are available at a variety of sites (see links to maps below). They are also available on cable television on KOCE.

Q. How do I get closed captioning to work on the videos?

A.After installing RealPlayer, you can set player preferences to show closed-captions by following these steps:

Open RealPlayer by clicking the RealPlayer icon or with window, by going to Start / Program / RealPlayer.
On the Menu Bar, click on the View and then Preferences.
At the Preferences window, click on the Content tab.
In the Accessibility section, click on the Settings button.
For Accessibility Setting, mark the check box to use Accessibility Features When Available.
Be sure that the radio button for Show Caption is also marked.
Click OK to Close the Accessibility Settings.
Click OK to close the Preferences window. You can then close RealPlayer. When you view a captioned video, the caption will display just below the video.

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Q. Will I have to come to campus?

A. Under normal circumstances and with equipment that meets the minimum standards outlined above, all coursework can be conducted over the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Q. What if I have to miss a class?

A. Well, with web classes you dont have to worry! You may work ahead, or catch up a little as you need to. While a general weekly timeline is provided to help you pace your time, your schedule is really your own. Just be careful not to miss submission deadlines for assignments and exams or fall behind in your reading. All students keeping pace and doing conscientious work should do well in the class.

Q. How should I get started after I am enrolled in the class?

A. Read over the entire course Web site, focusing on the Home, Syllabus, and Schedule pages. The Distance Learning Department Web site has additional advice on how to proceed through your class. Look for the links "Introduction" or "How to get started".

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Q. What is a WebBoard?

A. The WebBoard provides an electronic substitute for a classroom. For detailed information on how to log-on and use the board see the WebBoard Page. The instructor will post announcements here and you can ask questions. The WebBoard is also used to post some of your questions for reflection so that everyone in the class may share ideas. Feel free to respond to postings as if you were in a classroom. Students learn as much from each other as from the textbooks and lectures.

Q. How do I use the drop boxes to turn in my assignments?

A. The drop boxes work like e-mail. After you click the drop box link, a window will open asking for your name, e-mail address, and allow you to browse your system for your file. If you name your files Questions for Reflection, Research Paper, etc., they will be easier to find. You need to clearly and completely fill out all the information requested. To send in your assignment, click Browse, and find the assignment on your computer, e.g., a Word document that you want to submit. Click on Upload (which does the same thing as attaching a file to an e-mail). You should then receive a confirmation that the upload was successful.

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Q. I submitted my quiz and a written asignment, but they do not show on the Check Your Score system, why?

A. The scoring system is not automated. All scores must be entered by hand and it is more efficient if scores are entered in larger batches, rather than individually. So there is often a lengthy delay before your scores show on the scoring system. All quiz and written assignment scores should be posted by the end of week 14 in a 16 week course and the end of week 7 in an 8 week course, unless they were turned in late. Final exam scores will show up about a week after the exam is taken.

Q. How do I get my final grade?

A. Call (714) 438-8249 – Grades should be available 3 weeks after the semester ends.

Q. What if I need an early grade report?

A. Those requesting an early grade must do so early in the semester and plan on completing all assignments and exams by Week 13 of a 16-week course and by Week 6 of an eight-week course. You will need to schedule an alternate exam date or an early exam date with your proctor. Please see Schedule page for specific dates.

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