FAQs
What equipment must I have to take an Internet class?
You must have a computer, an Internet service provider, a Surry Community College email account, and software that may be required by your instructor.
TOP
Computer Requirements for Using Moodle
- Personal Capability Requirements:
Students taking an Internet course at Surry Community College are required to have basic computer skills.
- Office 2007 Applications
- Knowledge of navigating & conducting information searches within the World Wide Web
- Able to identify file types
- Fundamental awareness of common computing terms
- Familiar with your own hardware, software, and operating system environment
- Knowledge of the procedures for sending/receiving email and email with attached files
- Hardware Requirements:
The following are minimal system requirements to take an online course.
- Pentium IV or faster
- SVGA monitor w/8 MB of video RAM
- Sound card and speakers
- Windows XP operating system or newer version
- 56K Modem or faster
- Printer
- CD-ROM Drive
- Software Requirements:
The following are minimal system requirements to take an online course.
- Word processing package - Office 2007
- Use a SCC free web-based email account
- Acrobat Reader (Free Download)
- Other software that may be required to complete the course - See course syllabus for more information
- Browser Requirements:
- Internet Explorer version 7.0 or higher
- Third party cookies are allowed
- JavaScript is enabled
- Pop-up blocker is disabled
- Internet Service Requirements:
The greatest single challenge for students taking online courses is obtaining the services of a reliable Internet provider. If you are unsure about Internet providers in your area, contact a friend or local computer dealer. Instructors will not accept your Internet Service Provider being unavailable as an excuse for a late assignment.
Helpful Hint: Submit your assignments early to avoid problems with late submissions.
TOP
What level of Internet and computer knowledge must I have?
Basic knowledge of the Internet, web browsers and search engines is necessary. The ability to download and install software may be required. Word processing skills are also necessary, including creating, saving, downloading, attaching and managing files and copying and pasting text from one software application to another. Familiarity with the procedures for sending and receiving email with attachments is necessary.
TOP
How do I register?
Registration for students who have been admitted to the college is handled in the same manner as traditional course registration through the online registration process.
TOP
What do I do after I register for an Internet class? / How do I log into my course?
You can get general information about your course before the semester begins, but you must wait until the first day of the semester to enter your course website.
If you have questions, contact the Distance Education Office by email at online@student.surry.edu or by phone at (336) 386-3382 or (336) 386-3420.
Go to the Surry Community's Moodle login page, click on the login button, and enter Moodle with your username and password.
TOP
When does class begin?
Your Internet class will begin the same day as regular classes begin after 3 p.m.
TOP
Are there any required on-campus meetings for my Internet class?
Some instructors may require attendance in one or more on-campus sessions. Check the course description in your syllabus to determine whether your instructor will require any campus meetings.
TOP
How do I get to the course website?
Go to Moodle's login page and login using your username and password. Click on the plus sign (+) by the folder for the particular course. If taking more than one course, each course will be listed separately.
TOP
How will my instructor contact me?
Your instructor will contact you via your SCC Student Email Account.
TOP
My instructor can't open the assignment that I submitted. What should I do?
Students taking Distance Education Courses at Surry Community College are required to use Microsoft Office 2007 or newer version.
* Students must notify the instructor if you do not have the required applications at the start of class.
If you are using a word processing program other than Microsoft Word 2007 or newer Version (Works, WordPerfect, Wordpad, etc.) follow the directions below to save your file in a format that can be read by any word processing program.
- Open the assignment in your word processing program.
- Click File and select Save As.
- In the Save As window, open the Save As Type drop-down menu. Select Rich Text Format (.rtf) from the list of file types and then click the Save button.
After your file is saved in Rich Text Format (the file name will have a .rtf extension), send it to your instructor.
TOP
How do I purchase textbooks?
Textbooks may be purchased online at Surry's Online Bookstore.
TOP
Will I receive full credit for an Internet class?
Yes, you will receive full college credit. All Distance Education classes offer credit hours equivalent to those offered in a traditional course.
TOP
Will financial aid pay for an online course?
Yes, financial aid and military tuition assistance may be used for college credit Internet courses. Contact the Financial Aid Office for more details.
TOP
Will Veteran's benefits pay for an online course?
Yes, educational benefits from the Department of Veteran's Affairs may be used to pay for college credit Internet courses. VA will pay for an online course as long as it meets all of the other requirements that any course would have to meet to satisfy GI Bill regulations. Contact the College's VA certifying official in the Financial Aid office in the Reeves building for details.
TOP
Who should I contact if I cannot gain access to my Internet class?
Contact the Distance Education Help Desk at: (336) 386-3420 or e-mail: online@student.surry.edu
TOP
I only have a certain amount of hours to devote to a Distance Education course. Is that enough to succeed?
If you have between 5-12 hours per week to devote to Distance Education, you probably have the time necessary to complete a Distance Education course. Keep in mind that some courses may require a greater time commitment. If you have less than 5 hours to devote per week, you probably do not have the time right now. Many people perceive Distance Education courses as requiring less time than a traditional, on-campus course. The truth is that Distance Education courses require as much time and often more time. You will find, though, that you save considerable time by not having to commute to and from a class. Distance Education does give you the flexibility to choose when you devote time to your coursework.
TOP
How important are technology skills in the Distance Education environment?
Most Distance Education courses require the use of technology for computer-based communication, or for course information and content delivery. Your willingness to spend time getting comfortable with new technology determines whether you should invest time in a technology-enhanced course. If you're willing to learn and ask for help when you need it, then a course utilizing technology may suit you.
TOP
How do classroom discussions take place?
In Distance Education courses, discussions take place at a distance through the use of technology. It may happen by e-mail or online forums, where there is a delay in responses, or possibly through the North Carolina Information Highway (NCIH) and/or chatrooms where you converse with the instructor and classmates in real time.
TOP
How do I get answers to my questions in Distance Education courses?
Distance Education can be a win-win situation for those who ask lots of questions and also for those who ask few questions. If you rarely ask questions, Distance Education can give you the time needed to formulate and ask questions you wouldn't in a classroom. If you tend to ask a lot of questions, you are still able to ask as many questions as you like. However, you may find you use more time to write out questions than you would in a classroom situation, where you can ask many questions quickly.
TOP
In terms of written instructions for assignments, what can I expect from instructors?
Distance Education courses require more self-discipline and initiative than traditional classroom courses. You cannot always rely on the instructor to go over a set of instructions as frequently as they do in the classroom. If you prefer to have someone review the instructions with you, you will need to take the initiative to ask for assistance.
TOP
How will being physically separate from the class affect me?
Distance Education usually occurs away from a traditional classroom situation. Even though you may not be sitting next to a classmate, it doesn't mean that Distance Education doesn't rely on interaction with others. In fact, some Distance Education courses are more highly interactive than courses offered on-campus. You can find plenty of interaction with other students and your instructor through e-mail and discussions groups. If the face-to-face dynamic of a campus-based classroom situation is important to you, think carefully before enrolling in a Distance Education course.
TOP
How structured can I expect the courses to be?
Just as instructors of traditional classrooms vary in how structured they make a course, the same can hold true for Distance Education courses. Although the course may have a structure, Distance Education courses tend to be a more independent and individualized educational experience. If you learn best when you study independently or when an instructor is available to answer questions as you work on your own, you may find that Distance Education will work for you. If you require a highly structured course where everything is explained by the instructor, you may want to reconsider taking a Distance Education course at this time. It's always best to contact the instructor of a course you're interested in to find out if it is structured enough for you. The instructor can tell you whether that particular Distance Education course will suit your needs.
TOP
What kind of reading skills and comprehension do I need?
A great deal of reading is generally required in Distance Education courses. Independent study and Internet courses are reading-intensive. Since Distance Education can be a very independent learning experience, you may need to do extra research and reading to meet the course objectives. If you find that your reading skills and comprehension are good or average, you may have little challenge with the reading requirements. If your reading skills are below college level, you may want to speak with an adviser or the instructor of the course before enrolling.
TOP
How often can I expect my instructor to give me feedback?
If you do not need regular or immediate feedback, a Distance Education course may be fine for you. However, if it is important to you to receive regular feedback, the amount and timeliness of the feedback may not meet your needs. Because of the distance and time separating you from your instructor, it can be difficult for instructors to provide feedback quickly and frequently. Of course, the amount of feedback you receive ultimately depends on your instructor's personal style. An instructor who places a high priority on giving students feedback quickly can accomplish that regardless of the distance separating you. Normally, the instructor will respond within24 to 48 hours.
TOP
How much motivation do I need to take a Distance Education course?
Distance Education requires a great deal of motivation, so the more you have, the greater your chances of successfully learning what you want. Since you will (in most cases) be on your own rather than in a classroom surrounded by other students, there could be times when you will be tempted to put things off. If you feel the course is optional or is not a high priority for you, you may want to reconsider taking that course at a distance. Take the Distance Education Pretest TOP