Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS DISTANCE/eLEARNING?
Distance/eLearning is flexible learning, using telecommunications technologies to expand student access to college curricula and to provide more convenient learning options. Distance/eLearning at Peninsula College includes two different delivery technologies:

• Interactive Television Classes (ITV)
• Online Classes (WAOL & PC Online)

What are Online classes?
Online teaching and learning occur in a "virtual classroom." Students participate in classroom discussions online, submit their assignments online, and communicate with their instructor through the online classroom or via email.

What equipment do I need for an online class?
Students need to have a Pentium level PC or a Macintosh equivalent with a minimum of:

• at least 16 MB of RAM
• Windows XP or better, or Mac OSX or better
• NIC card or wireless
• CD-ROM drive with sound card
• Microsoft Explorer 7.0 or above; FireFox 3.0 or above; Netscape not recommended
• Word processing software compatible with Word 97 or higher (must be able to "Save As" a Word 97 document at a minimum)
• Access to the Internet, cable modem at a minimum

Are online classes easier than on-campus classes?
Student workload in an online class is comparable to traditional learning environments, and the successful distance/elearning student must be highly motivated. Students are expected to actively participate in discussions online, do research, submit regular assignments, and participate actively in scheduled activities.

How much time will I need to spend?
Course activities require approximately 12 to 15 hours/per week, five out of every seven days. Online classes have conventional start and stop dates; each course is generally 10 weeks long.

Can Running Start students take Distance/eLearning courses?
Running Start students may take any of the college's distance/elearning courses. Distance courses are treated no differently from any other of the college's courses. Students do need to verify with their advisor that the course(s) they are taking will fit their educational goals, just as they would with any other Peninsula College course. Not all courses fit all programs or transfer to all schools.

Does financial aid cover Distance/eLearning courses?
Yes, financial aid is available for distance/elearning courses. Contact the financial aid office for specific information.

How do I register for an online course?
Students may register for online courses through the same campus registration processes available for any other course: in person, by telephone, or online via Web registration.

How can I get an email account?
If you currently do not have an account, there are many free e-mail providers. Some popular choices are listed and linked below:

Hotmail
To get started, go to the Hotmail site and select the "Sign up now!" link at the top of the page and follow the site's instructions.

Netscape
To get started, go to the Netscape site, select the "Mail" button in the upper left corner of the page, then choose "Sign Up" to create a new e-mail account.

Yahoo!
To get started, go to the Yahoo! site, select the "Check Email" button at the top of the page, select the "Sign up now" link, and follow the site's instructions.

What about assignments, tests, and grading?
Each class and instructor has different requirements, which are clearly defined in the syllabus for the class. Contact the instructor with specific questions.