| What is Distance Education? |
A distance education course is one you take without face-to-face contact with your teacher and classmates. You can study at home or at work - wherever you like, whenever you like, within a prescribed timeframe.
Instruction is available via:
Print-based
Print-based (correspondence) studies are a continuous intake, self-paced method of learning. You will receive a home study kit, assignment requirements (via Canada Post) and be assigned a tutor who will be responsible for marking and providing some assistance through telephone consultations. Students have a maximum time limit of six months to complete print-based (correspondence) courses, including writing the final exam.
Online
Study in your own home, your workplace, or your community! Algonquin College is pleased to be a member of OntarioLearn, which is a consortium of 22 Ontario Colleges that provide learning opportunities through the Internet. To take an online course, students must have access to a personal computer (Pentium PC with a Windows operating System or a comparable Macintosh computer) with a modem (56 K recommended) and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). Most internet courses are offered at the beginning of each semester and are 14 weeks in duration, including writing the final exam. Refer to the courses section of the web for start and end dates.
Prior to the start of classes, students will receive (via Canada Post) a letter with a "user ID" and a "password" as well as instructions to access courses. Technical support is available via a toll free help line. Basic computer and file management knowledge is required.Back to Top |
| What are the Admission Requirements? |
To register in credit courses, you must be 19 years of age or older, OR if 18 years of age or less, possess an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or equivalent (unless otherwise noted on the courses page).
Also, you should ensure that you have the required prerequisites. A prerequisite is a course (or other qualification) required for entry into another course. Prerequisites are indicated in the details section of the corresponding course page. |
| |
| Is Distance Education for me? |
| |
If you prefer to study at your own pace in the comforts of your home or office, or if you live a distance from our campuses, these courses are for you. Distance education students should have self-discipline and excellent reading, writing, and analytic skills. In addition to the study skills necessary for post-secondary learning, there are some specific skills that you will require to be a successful distance learner. These include:
-
extra emphasis on goal setting
-
self-discipline and time management
-
ability to monitor your own progress
-
willingness to ask for help when needed
-
dedication to search for information
-
computer skills
-
excellent communication skills
-
ability to work independently
|
| How do I begin? |
If you are following a program of study, check the Programs area to see which courses are available via Distance Education. If you are a full time student, confirm with your program coordinator that the course you want to take through Distance Education will be credited towards your program. Check the Courses page for course availability, start dates and price and follow the registration instructions to register.
Once you've registered you will receive a receipt from the Registrar's Office and additional correspondence from the Distance Education office. Print based students will receive their course package via Canada Post and online students will receive a "Confirmation letter" containing all details pertaining to their course. Back to Top |
| How long are the courses? |
Print-based Courses
In recognition of mailing time, you have 6 months to complete the course including writing the final exam. While learners' circumstances may lend themselves to completion of a course in less time, learners are urged to submit one lesson or assignment at a time and await return of the marked assignment before submitting/sending the next one.
Online Courses
The majority of the computer-based courses are offered on a semester basis and start and end dates are indicated. However, we do have some online courses offered on a monthly intake basis. You can register at anytime. The course will start on the first business day of the following month. You have 14 weeks to complete the course including writing the final exam. |
| How much time do I have to spend on my course? |
Online Courses
Online courses require a significant amount of reading, writing, completion of exercises and assignments. You can expect to spend 6-10 hours a week, depending. Some courses require more or less time.
For the majority of courses there is no specified time that you need to be online or length of time you have to be logged into your course. However, we do strongly recommend that you login to your course 3-4 times during the week to see news announcements and postings from your instructor and classmates.
Please note that some courses may have mandatory group work and/or mandatory chats where you will be required to be logged into your course at specific times for specified periods of time. These requirements will be indicated in the course description.
Print-based Courses
While learning is not scheduled, students have a maximum of six months to complete a course, which includes completion of all assignments/lessons and writing of the final examination. While students' circumstances may lend themselves to completion of a course in less time, students are urged to submit one lesson/assignment at a time, and to incorporate corrections and instructions from the tutor in subsequent assignments.
In undertaking to complete a course through distance education, it is imperative that students complete lessons on a regular basis, scheduling their studies around their other obligations. Studying on a weekly basis, and submitting lessons at regular intervals will decrease stress and anxiety which are normal components prior to exam time. Successful distance learners agree that regular study is the most important component of their success.Back to Top |
| How much are the courses? |
Print-Based
Refer to the Courses page (the courses button is also on in the navigation bar). Material and handling fees are included but may vary if outside Canada. Material fee is non-refundable.
Online
Refer to the Courses page (the courses button is also in the navigation bar). Fees do not include textbooks (unless otherwise stated). The material fee is included and covers administrative/server costs.
International Students
Off-shore International Students pay Canadian fees plus an additional $100.00 administrative fee per course. For International students living in Canada, international fees will apply (contact the Registrar's Office AskAlgonquin@algonquincollege.com for specific information).
Note: Prices are subject to change.
|
| Can I audit a course? |
| Audit status does not apply to Distance Education courses.
|
| How do I obtain an Algonquin IT account? |
| Algonquin IT accounts are required for students using the computer labs at Algonquin College. If you are planning to use computer labs at Algonquin College, there is an additional $35.00 charge per term.
Details |
| |
| Who do I contact? |
Distance Education
Phone 613-727-7655 or 1-888-684-4444
Email distance@algonquincollege.com
Fax 613-727-7727
Registrar's Office
Phone 613-727-0002 or 1-800-565-4723
Fax 613-727-7754
Email AskAlgonquin@algonquincollege.com
Bookstore
Phone 613-727-4723 Ext. 7609
Web bookstore@algonquincollege.com
Back to Top
|
|
