Distance Education at PNC -
Prospective Students
Self-evaluation for Potential Online Students
Not sure if online learning is right for you? Take
this short evaluation to see if you are a candidate for online learning.
What Makes a Successful Online Student?
What are the characterstics of successful online students? Do you have what it takes? Visit this web site to explore the qualities that successful online students posess.
• Is distance education for me?
In order to take a distance education course, you need to have the self-motivation to complete assigned tasks. Since everyone is different, some people may not have this trait and therefore should not take distance education courses. To see if this form of education is right for you, visit the sites at the top of this page and take the quizzes located there.
• What skills do I need to succeed in a distance education course?
You need to have very good computer skills and be comfortable sending e-mail with attachments. Those who are uncomfortable with computers or who are just learning to use a computer should NOT take a distance education course. You need to be self-motivated to complete assignments on time. And, you need to be able to browse through the course software to find the syllabus and other course-specific material.
• What software do I need to take a distance education course?
Many instructors require that you use the latest version of Microsoft Office (particularly Word) for submitting homework, and Internet Explorer for accessing the course Web site. You many need other software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader, WS-FTP or a PowerPoint viewer. Courses may also require specialized software, which may be available with the textbook or is available in the PNC computer labs.
• How do I get my textbook?
You can either buy the required text(s) in the PNC bookstore or use one of the on-line bookstores such as Amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com.
• Are the courses offered through distance education of the same quality as those offered on-campus?
Absolutely! Instructors strive to maintain the same high level of quality instruction as the same course that is offered on the Westville campus. In fact, many of the instructors who teach the distance education courses, teach the same course on-campus.
• Do distance education courses cost more than on-campus courses?
No. The fee structure for these courses is the same as that for the on-campus courses.
• How do I speak with my instructor?
You can either use e-mail or the telephone to contact your instructor. The professor's office telephone number will be included in the syllabus for the course, along with office hours when you can reach the instructor by telephone. All students must e-mail their instructor during the first week of class to verify their enrollment in the class.
• Do courses follow the same schedule as on-campus classes?
Yes. The courses are based on the same semester schedule as on-campus classes. All school holidays also apply to on-line courses, meaning that the professors may not be available over the holiday period.
• Which PNC courses are offered through distance education?
Distance education courses can be identified in the PNC course schedule by a comment associated with the course indicating that it is a distance education course. This comment gives the instructor e-mail address and other information about the class. The current semester's distance education course offerings are listed under the “Courses” Web page.
• What are the advantages to taking a distance education course?
There are many advantages to this form of education. For many students, family or work responsibilities restrict the time they have to work on a college degree. Distance education courses give you the opportunity to get college credit by doing coursework on your own schedule, rather than attending classes on a regular basis. In addition, students often find that the time that a class is offered on campus conflicts with other courses they need to take. A distance education course removes this conflict because there is generally no set class time.
• What are the disadvantages of taking a distance education course?
Probably the biggest disadvantage is the lack of personal interaction with the professor and with your fellow students. Some classes do provide on-line chat sessions as a way to interact, but it is a different environment than that which exists in a classroom setting. In addition, the student must be self-disciplined enough to set aside time each week to do the coursework. It is easy to let your ‘real' life overshadow your ‘cyber' life, causing you to miss assignment deadlines or tests.
