What is distance learning?

• Classes offered off campus via the Internet: Students receive their assignments and instruction from their professor through the Blackboard course management system. Students may be required to purchase a textbook, listen to CDs, view DVDs, and do online research. Students will participate in online discussion forums with their classmates and professor. Students will take tests and submit their written work through their Blackboard course site. Professors are available by telephone and email. Professors or their department chair are available on campus during office hours. Toll-free technical support is available 24/7.
• Hybrid courses offered on campus but with an Internet component: Students will meet with their professor in a classroom at least once weekly but will participate in online discussion and complete other online assignments through the Blackboard course management system.

Is distance learning for me?

• Distance learning classes are designed for students whose work and family schedule prevents them from being able to take an on-campus classroom class scheduled at the same time every week. If you are serious about your education and wish the flexibility of being able to take a college course any time day or night, then you should consider a distance learning course.
• You should be familiar with using a personal computer for word processing and connecting to the Internet. If you do not own or have access to a personal computer, Sandhills Community College also provides computers on campus in the Learning Resource Center in Boyd Library. Distance learning courses assume that you are eager to learn and can motivate yourself to complete the course.
• Online students gain experience and skills that will make them marketable in the 21st century.
• Online learning is active. Students analyze and evaluate independently while reading, writing, and discussing heavily. Because of this, many students find online learning more fun than classroom-based courses.
• Online learning is flexible. Based on their preferences and needs, instructors and students can work on a course at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., at home or at school.
• More students participate online because they are less self-conscious and less subject to the time pressure that can inhibit classroom discussions. Instructors, in turn, get enhanced one-on-one contact with students.
• Through the Internet the whole world becomes the classroom.

What do I need to succeed in a distance learning course?

• Internet Access: You must either own or have frequent access to a computer connected to the Internet. You should have access to this computer at least 3 hours per week for online discussion groups, for doing online research, for sending and responding to email messages, and for writing papers and submitting them via the Internet. You may have to spend additional time reading your textbook, using CDs or DVDs, or doing online research.
• Computer Knowledge: You must also know how to use your computer to save files, access those files on your computer, copy files, use word processing, cut and paste text, copy text, and send and receive email. Since Microsoft Word is the program your teachers will be using, your course will provide you with detailed guides to using Microsoft Word.
• Email: You can send messages to your teacher and classmates in an SCC Distance Learning course by using your free college email.
• Up-to-date Browser Internet Explorer 7 is the recommended Internet browser. Click here to download the latest version.
• CDs and DVDs: You may need to use CDs or DVDs along with your textbook. Textbooks and other required course materials will be listed in your syllabus when you login to your course on the first day of the semester.
• Writing Skills: Aside from the technical requirements, you must be able to read and write effectively. Using the Internet is a point and click experience, but the Internet and Internet courses are reading intensive experiences. You must also be a self-motivated person who can maintain a schedule. SCC Distance Learning courses are not correspondence courses that you will complete in the far-distant future completely at your leisure. SCC Distance Learning requires weekly activities just as in any course, although you can complete these activities any hour of the day or night during that weekly period.
• Motivation: Take the Distance Learning Pre-test to determine if you are ready to take a distance learning course at Sandhills Community College.

What classes are available?

• Click here for a schedule of classes for the next term.
• Distance learning classes have an "N" in the section number of the course.
• Hybrid classes have an "H" in the section number of the course.

How do I enroll in and connect to my course?

1. Register for the course.   For information about registering for a course, click here.
2. Login correctly:  After you have registered and paid for the course, you will be able to login to your course on the first day of the semester at http://www.sandhills.edu/blackboard/ or click the "Blackboard Login" link on the home page of http://www.sandhills.edu/.
3. Required Orientation:  You may be required to attend an orientation for classes that are offered completely over the Internet rather than as a component of your classroom course. Click here for a schedule of registration dates and a schedule of classes. Be sure to connect to the PDF file that shows course prerequisites and any orientations that may be scheduled for your distance learning class. Courses are listed in alphabetical order by subject area. Internet courses contain the letter "N" in the section number. Any required orientation or instructor contact information will be listed after the course title.