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Orientation: Getting Started with Distance Learning at ELI
What do I need to Know about ELI Courses?
ELI offers online and non-online distance learning courses. Online courses are courses in which students receive instruction and learn through the World Wide Web (WWW) or the Internet. With non-online courses, most assignments are mailed to the instructor, and students learn through a combination of one or more different types of media that include voice mail, audiocassette tapes, videotapes, CD-ROM, television broadcasts, or the Internet. Click the Type of Courses button on the navigation menu on the left to see a list of the features of online and non-online courses.
Online Course
Syllabus
- Students receive a mailed one-page Quick-Start Syllabus.
- Quick-Start Syllabus provides information on instructor, course login, critical dates, and refund/withdrawal information.
- Students can obtain full Syllabus on the ELI Web site. Choose the semester, the discipline, and the course.
Basic Skills Required
- Read and write in English.
- Use word-processing.
- Operate a computer.
- Access and browse the Internet.
- Create and send email (with/without attachment.)
- Manage time well.
- Study independently.
Testing
- Take exams at Campus Testing Centers.
- Bring exam pass and photo ID (e.g. driver's license).
- Obtain acceptable proctor if unable to take exams at the Campus Testing Center.
Possible Additional Requirements
- Class meetings/labs (less than 5 times.)
- Field trips.
- Group/individual course projects
Non-Online Course
Syllabus
- Students receive a mailed one-page Quick-Start Syllabus.
- The Quick-Start Syllabus provides information on instructor, critical dates, and refund/withdrawal information.
- Some print-based courses use full-length Syllabi and Course Guides.
- The Full-length Syllabus provides information on instructor, refund/withdrawal, course materials, grading scale, using technologies, ELI Policies and Procedures, exam passes and campus LRC's and bookstore.
- The Course Guide provides a detailed description of each required assignment.
- Students can obtain full-length Syllabus on the ELI Web site. Choose the semester, the discipline, and the course.
Basic Skills Required
- Read and write in English.
- Use word-processing.
- Create and send email (with/without attachment.)
- Operate VCR or operate a computer to watch videos via Video on Demand.
- Manage time well.
- Study independently.
Testing
- Take exams at Campus Testing Centers.
- Bring exam pass and photo ID (e.g. driver's license).
- Obtain acceptable proctor if unable to take exams at the Campus Testing Center.
Possible Additional Requirements
- Ability to access and browse the Internet.
- Class meetings/labs (less than 5).
- Field trips.
- Group/individual course projects.
Student Responsibilities
- Review course information thoroughly. Obtain your course information from the ELI Web Site at http://eli.nvcc.edu/courses.htm, then choose your semester, discipline and course.
- Know your critical enrollment dates: Enrollment, Refund, Inactive Students Dropped, Withdrawal and End of Enrollment. These dates are listed on your mailed enrollment confirmation. If you have not received your confirmation by the start of your course, call the ELI Hotline at (703) 323-3347 or (888) 4DL-NVCC.
- Use your VCCS email account assigned by the college.
- Purchase your course textbook and other related materials.
- If you are enrolled in an online Blackboard course but the course does not show under “My Courses” by the start date of your course, contact the instructor or call the ELI Hotline at (703) 323-3347 or (888) 4DL-NVCC.
- Complete and submit the first assignment.
- Set up a schedule and stick to it.
- Drop the course on NovaConnect by your Last Refund Date or Last Withdrawal Date if you wish to receive a refund or withdraw from the course.
Contact your instructor if you have questions, need assistance, need to withdraw from the course after your Last Withdrawal Date or request an extension.
Faculty Expectations
If you are enrolled in an ELI course, your instructor expects that you already know how to:
- Manage your time and study independently.
- Read, write, and use word-processing.
- Purchase your course textbook and other related materials.
- Create and send email (with/without attachment).
- Be able to operate the technology used in the course, such as a computer, VCR, and voice mail.
- Access and browse the Internet.
- Contact your instructor if you have a question about an assignment or are having difficulty.
- Contact your instructor if you wish to withdraw from the course or to request an extension.
- Submit the Proctor Request Form if you are unable to take exams at a campus Testing Center.
Strategies for Success
Thousands of ELI students have been successful, and you can be, too. Because there are few or no classes to attend, YOU are responsible for directing your learning. The following are a few suggestions to help you succeed in your course:
- Start as soon as your enrollment begins.
- Spend 2 to 3 hours per course credit per week studying for each course. A three-credit course requires 6 to 9 hours a week.
- If you have questions, contact your instructor right away. Your instructor's contact information is in your course Syllabus.
- Read the course material immediately so that you know what assignments are required and what time frame you have in which to complete them.
Whom to Call -- Hotline
If you have a question, you can call the ELI Hotline for assistance at 703-323-3347 or 1-888-4DL-NVCC.
ELI staff members are available between 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, as well as some evenings and Saturdays. Hours vary by semester. If you are hearing impaired, call the V/TDD number, 703-323-3717.
