RCC Distance Learning

Welcome to Rockford Career College's Distance Learning Information Page!

The following courses are currently being offered ONLINE at RCC. Inquire within your department for additional information. *Please note: Not all online courses run every quarter. More general education and program-specific online courses are in development.

EE102-DL Psychology
EE104-DL College English
EE202-DL Research & Report Writing
EE205-DL Human Relations
EE206-DL Culture & Diversity
EE207-DL Written Communications
EE208-DL Life Science
EE210-DL Contemporary Government
EE211-DL Humanities
BB107-DL College & Career Success Skills

RCC online courses run for 10 weeks total beginning:

Monday, March 26th running through Thursday, May 31st

Attendance at ONE mandatory orientation session is required for all registered online students. These sessions are typically held the first two days of each new quarter, and run for 90 minutes.

**What RCC students are saying about their online course experiences:

• "This class has taught me to see things from all directions instead of just my ideas of how things are or my own personal feelings about something. I was extremely nervous starting this course because I didn't know what to expect. Well, I have learned more with this online class than if I were in the classroom."

• "I have really enjoyed this class and I will highly recommend it to anyone who asks me about it!. I really believe I learned more taking a class like this than in a classroom. Thank you for all your help, I really enjoyed taking this class :):)"

• "The links that the instructor gave us to watch were very helpful in my learning and understanding of the course material."

• "The instructor responds to all our questions in a respected time frame and always lets us know how we are doing and always provides feedback."

• "I came into this class thinking it was going to be an easy class; boy was I wrong, but I really enjoyed the class and the challenge that the online experience gave me. The discussion questions really helped me in understanding what psychology is really about."

• "This class was awesome!"

• "I think this course was great."

• "It was a great and educational class."

• "I was very happy with my online experience."

• "I found the online orientation module very helpful."

• "The instructor answered my questions promptly and clearly."

• "I thought this class was just as hard as my classes I attend in person."

• "The instructor made the online learning process as easy and as interesting as possible."

• "The activities and discussions were interesting and made you want to read about them."

• "The instructor was able to keep the feeling of an actual classroom in the online discussions which was surprising to me."

• "I just want to let everyone know that I have connected with this class better than any other class I have taken."

Email Tom Leu, Distance Learning Department Chair for more information & inquiries.

FAQ's

Question: Is distance learning for everyone?

Answer: No. Distance learning is an excellent choice for many people. However, not everyone is successful with such independent work. Distance learners need to be self-motivated, organized, and proficient in reading. They also need to be content with being away from the traditional social opportunities (such as class discussions and in-person tutoring) that a regular college offers. Before you decide to switch to an online program, check to make sure you have the five qualities of successful distance learners.

Question: What are the pros of distance learning?

Answer: Distance learning allows students to learn from the privacy and convenience of their own homes. Many people who are balancing jobs and family with school enjoy the freedom of being able to schedule their classes around their lives.

Question: What are the cons of distance learning?

Answer: Distance learners tend to miss out on some of the social components of traditional education. Aside from chartrooms and bulletin boards, students miss out on classroom discussion and personalized interaction. Many people find it difficult to maintain the organization and self-motivation required to be successful. Procrastinators have a particularly difficult time when there are not specific due dates for assignments.

Question: Is there a certain time I have to be online?

Answer: Not usually. Most class discussions are asynchronous, so students do not need to worry about being at their computers at a specific date and time. The course work for each quarter is divided into weekly modules, and students have the entire week to complete their assignments and discussions by the designated deadlines.

Question: What is the mode or method of assignments, discussions and exams?

Answer: Once you have enrolled, you will be given a username and password to access your course(s) through the school's website. Course work, textbook assignments, homework assignments and exams, are the same as they would be in an on-campus setting. You will be required to participate in reading assignments, quizzes, exams, threaded discussions, webliography and doc sharing activities. The Threaded Discussion is the core component of the online classroom. Students post answers to questions and respond to classmates postings. This is where the real learning takes place.

Question: What kind of computer set-up do I need to take an online course at RCC?

Answer: Click on "TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS" here to take the browser test.

Question: Are there any prerequisites to take an online course at RCC?

Answer: Other than being fairly computer/internet literate, competent at writing, and very self-motivated, the only requirements are to take two "Pre-Assessment Surveys" by clicking on the link below and following the directions.

More distance learning articles from About.com:

Welcome to Rockford Career College's Distance Learning Information Page!

Is Distance Learning Right for You?

Find Out if You Have the Five Qualities of Successful Distance Learners

What Does Research Say About Online Learning?

Online Learning Statistics

Top 5 Distance Learning Myths

How to Succeed as an Online Student

Online Education 101