Student Success Center
Distance Education
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Distance education is a way for you to take classes and earn college credit toward your degree, even when the demands and stresses of life don't allow you to commute to campus every day.
The distance education program, which Purdue University North Central participates in, is ICN or the Indiana College Network ( www.icn.org ). Distance education programs allow students to take college classes from many accredited colleges throughout Indiana. The credit that you receive from the course as well as the grade is then applied to your degree program and transcript here at PNC and is transferable from many other colleges in the region.
How is distance education offered?
Many distance education classes are set up the same as the class schedule you would expect from an on-campus class. The only difference is the physical distance which separates you and your professor as well as your classmates. The most common delivery method for distance education classes is through the Internet. You follow the syllabus provided by the professor, continually study at your own pace, take on-line quizzes, and follow through with exams which are proctored in The Student Success Center.
How do I know if distance education classes are right for me?
First, discuss your concerns with your advisor. They can give you a lot of insight as to whether distance education may be an option for you in your academic career. Second, ask yourself a few simple questions…
1. Do you work well independently?
2. Do you follow through well on projects with limited direction or supervision?
3. Are you a self-disciplined, self-motivated student?
4. Do you have good time management skills?
Distance education is not suited for the student who believes that this will be an “easy A”.
The schedule for a distance education class is just as rigorous as an on campus course. In many ways, distance education classes are much more disciplined than a traditional course because it requires you to take full responsibility for every assignment and test scheduling. Distance education classes can be beneficial for students who have the skills and need a way to take a course which may not have otherwise been possible given the restraints of time and travel.
Other thoughts to consider after registering for a distance education course:
· Pay all tuition and fees directly to PNC.
· Contact the originating university's bookstore to purchase all the books and materials that are needed for the course immediately after registering for the course.
· Set up all passwords needed for the course through the originating university, and check your email often. Remember that this password differs from your PNC password.
· Never give out personal information to anyone who is not a university official.
· Make arrangements to take your proctored tests at least 10 days prior to the test.
· Check with the professor regarding procedure for turning in homework assignments.
· If the professor gives you a deadline to complete an assignment or test, you must complete it by that time. Any extension is up to the discretion of the professor and not of the SSC staff.
