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Distance Learning (DL) courses facilitate online learning and are especially suited to reach busy people who wish to increase their knowledge and skills without giving up their jobs, losing income or interfering with family responsibilities. Courses maintain the same high quality educational standards as those of the traditional classroom with the additional flexibility and convenience of learning built around the student’s schedule. The various forms of communication and instructional technologies utilized permit and encourage students to participate in discussions with faculty and classmates.
Who is a Successful Distance Learning Student?
Successful distance learners are self-motivated.
Students must devote at least the same amount of time, or possibly more time, to participate in a distance learning course as they would to a traditional course.
Successful distance learners manage their time well.
Students appreciate the flexibility that distance learning courses offer and the freedom to schedule coursework at their convenience.
Check out College Success Experience 2096 the Online Student Success course offered through the School of Adult & General Education. This on-credit course helps students develop the skills and practice habits of a successful online learner. See the Schedule of Classes for current offerings.
Types of DL Classes
CNM uses the following Distance Learning delivery methods:
Internet Course
Course content is offered through the Internet. Presentations, learning activities, inter-active quizzes and tests are online. Instructors use e-mail, homepages and course management tools. Student must have access to an internet browser and an e-mail address. Three different types of courses fall under this delivery method:
Online Course: All of the course content is delivered online. Course orientation, assignments, presentations, learning activities, interactive quizzes and tests are online. Instructors use e-mail, homepages and course management tools. Online courses require students to have access to a computer. Additionally students may be required to have access to a Web browser and purchase software.
Blended Course: The majority of the course content is delivered via the Internet. However, blended learning courses require on-campus sessions for orientations, presentations, exams, labs and/or other assessment activities with an instructor or in a proctored setting. The number of face-to-face sessions will vary depending on course requirements. Blended online courses require students to have access to a computer. Additionally students may be required to have access to a Web browser and purchase software.
Hybrid Course: A “hybrid” course combines both face-to-face classroom instruction and online Internet-based learning. Fifty Percent of the student’s time is spent in the classroom and fifty percent of the time the student works independently on his or her own computers. For example, in courses where students typically meet face-to-face two days a week, hybrid courses may meet in the classroom once a week and the remaining course time is spent in an online classroom environment. Hybrid courses require students to have access to a computer.
DVD Courses: Course presentations are delivered via DVD or videotape. (100% online/ DVD and carries the online course fee.)
How to Register for DL Courses
Students should follow the regular CNM registration process (see the Registration section).
After Registration
Step 1: Sign up for the DL Virtual Lab
If you are new to distance learning, or just want to brush up on the skills and tools your course will be using, you might want to consider enrolling in the virtual lab which opens the week before each term. The DL Virtual Lab allows student to practice using the tools in the Blackboard learning system as well as ask questions of the DL Achievement Coach. To enroll in the DL Virtual Lab,
- Go to http://blackboard.cnm.edu
- Log in using your CNM username and password
- Click on the Distance Learning Virtual Lab link in the Course Catalog box.
- Then locate the words, “Virtual Lab” on the bottom of the page.
- Click on the pull down arrow and click on the word, “Enroll”
- You will then see the Virtual Lab on your My Courses list on Blackboard.
Step 2. Get books and supplies
Some distance learning courses use different textbooks than oncampus sections of the same course. Students are encouraged to carefully review the course information for the correct title and edition of the text and name of the author before purchasing textbooks. Students can purchase textbooks from the bookstores by mail, phone, online or in person. For information about the CNM Bookstore, please see the Schedule of Classes
Step 3: Access the Course
A class cannot be accessed until 8 a.m. on the day the class is scheduled to begin. On the first day of class students should login to Blackboard, open the class and begin. Remember, successful DL students ask questions. Students who are unsure of what to do should e-mail their instructor
Where to Access a Course
CNM’s Distance Learning classes use Blackboard Learning System, a course management system. Blackboard works with a computer’s Internet browser to create a “virtual classroom” where online tools such as a discussion board, chat room, e-mail, online quizzes and more are used.
Students can login to Blackboard in the student tab through myCNM or go to blackboard.cnm.edu.
Technical Support: Embanet 24/7 Help Services
Contact Information: Distance Learning Office, (505) 224-4400 or (888) 453-1304, cnm.edu/depts/dl
Visit the DL Student Services page. |