Mar 29, 2024  
2015-2016 Student Handbook 
    
2015-2016 Student Handbook ARCHIVED PUBLICATION

Distance Learning



Introduction

Distance Learning at Edgecombe Community College (ECC) includes those classes that individuals can take anytime and anywhere for which classroom attendance is not required. The classes include curriculum college-credit courses, Continuing Education non-credit courses, and the online GED/Adult High School Diploma program. The distance learning classes are best suited for mature, self-motivated students who have good study skills and do not need to be reminded to study and complete their assignments. Student support services, such as the library, student services, and financial aid, are available without being on campus. Changing lives with quality instruction and a genuine concern from instructors is an integral part of Distance Learning at ECC.

Available Courses/Programs

Curriculum Courses

Two types of distance learning curriculum courses are offered at the college: online courses and hybrid courses.

Online

Online courses can be taken anytime and anywhere, provided individuals have access to the Internet. Classroom attendance is not required. The online curriculum classes compare to traditional classroom courses in that they earn the same credit, have the same quality and standards, are fully accredited, and have the same course objectives.

Hybrid

Hybrid courses combine the traditional classroom and the Internet. Therefore, depending on the instructor, students must meet on campus at certain times during the semester. Lessons are completed online. As with online classes, hybrid courses earn the same credit and have the same quality and standards as face-to-face courses. Likewise, support services are available online for hybrid students.

A schedule of curriculum course offerings (online and hybrid) can be found by clicking on “Find Classes” on the Academics menu on the ECC home page: www.edgecombe.edu

Degree Online Programs

Edgecombe Community College has three (3) totally online degree programs: Business Administration, Health Information Technology, and Early Childhood. Students never have to come on campus to receive a degree in these programs; the courses are all online.

Ed2Go

The Ed2Go (www.ed2go.com/edgecombecc) non-credit online courses are informative, fun, convenient, and highly interactive. These courses are project-oriented and include lessons, quizzes, hands-on assignments, discussion areas (chat rooms), and supplementary links. All courses run for six weeks with a two-week grace period at the end.

These courses begin every month and can be completed from the home or office during the day or evening. Twenty-four (24) contact hours in length, they generate 2.4 Continuing Education units (CEUs). These courses require Internet access, email, and a Web browser, such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The courses are approved for teacher renewal. Upon successful completion of a course, students receive an official certificate issued by the Division of Corporate and Community Development.

For further information, interested persons should call (252) 823-5166, ext. 220.

Adult High School Equivalency/Adult High School Online

Students can prepare for the Adult High School Equivalency exam or the Adult High School Diploma at home, using the Internet. Both programs are free of charge and are fully accredited. However, there are some state exam fees charged once the student is ready to test.

An on-campus orientation is mandatory for these online programs. Students would later be required to come onto their nearest campus to take post assessments and state exams.

For more information on the Adult High School Equivalency/Adult High School Diploma Online program, interested persons should call (252) 823-5166, ext. 229 (Tarboro) or ext. 342 (Rocky Mount).

Characteristics of Successful Distance Learning Students

Extensive research has shown that there are certain qualities distance learning students should have in order to be successful in this type of instruction. These qualities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Are mature, self-directed, and goal-oriented
  2. Are disciplined and organized
  3. Are dependable and responsible
  4. Know how to work independently and keep up with assignments
  5. Have the necessary college reading and writing skill levels
  6. Are able to think critically and solve problems
  7. Have completed the necessary prerequisites for the course
  8. Know basic word processing
  9. Have the required computer hardware and necessary software
  10. Are familiar with sending and receiving email

Distance learning students should be willing to participate in a course orientation session, when applicable; begin course activities within the first week of the course; on a routine basis set aside an adequate amount of time for study; and contact the course instructor promptly with questions about aspects of the course.

Computer Requirements

Students must have easy access to a Microsoft Windows computer connected to the Internet, a Web browser such as Netscape Navigator/Communicator, Firefox, Safari, or Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, an email address, and the Microsoft Word processing software. Some online classes may also require Microsoft PowerPoint.

Software Used by the College

Moodle is the software used by the college for all curriculum online and hybrid courses. For more information about Moodle or to review an online orientation, you may visit the following link (no password needed): http://moodle.edgecombe.edu/mod/resource/view.php?id=3468

Moodle Login Information

  1. Go to www.edgecombe.edu
  2. Click on the “Moodle” logo at the top of the page (after completing instructions below for your password).
  3. Use the following information to login:

Username:

Your Moodle user login name is your first initial, last name, and first four digits of your date of birth.

Example - John Smith Born May 18, 1988, the username would be: jsmith0518.

Password:

The password for Moodle, Webadvisor, and MyEdge email accounts is the same. Please use the following instructions to create your password for Moodle, Webadvisor, and MyEdge email accounts.

  1. Go to Webadvisor at: webadvisor.edgecombe.edu/WebAdvisor/WebAdvisor
    • Verify you can access login with your UserID (which is the same as your UserID you have for your MyEdge email account). The UserID is your first initial last name month & day you were born. Example: Joe Smith born on August 2 would be jsmith0802. Your default password is the last 6 digits of your social security number. Example: If your SSN is 123-45-6789, your password would be 456789.
    • Once logged in, you will be forced to change this password. First, enter your UserID and your password (last 6 digits of your SSN). You will be prompted to enter a new password. The new password must be between 6 and 9 characters and contain both letters and numbers. Submit & logout. Please log back into Webadvisor to make sure your new password is working. Note: If you ever want to change your password, go to the EdgeID link below.
  2. Once your Webadvisor login is working (with new password), you must go to the following link to activate and enroll your ID and password: https://edgeid.edgecombe.edu. The activation must be done by everyone (even those who already had a Webadvisor account).
    • To activate your UserID/Password, click on “Enroll”.
    • Enter your UserID and password (you just created in Webadvisor).
    • You will be prompted to answer 3 security questions. Enter your answers. Answers to security questions are case sensitive.
    • Click on “Enroll” 
  3. Check immediately your Webadvisor and MyEdge email accounts to be certain your new password has been accepted.

Moodle Support/Report Problems

For technical support and to report problems, please contact Mr. Arnold Worsley, Moodle Administrator: worsleya@edgecombe.edu or 252/823-5166, extension 281. The direct link to Moodle is moodle.edgecombe.edu

Tutorial Support

Edgecombe Community College also offers online tutorial support through Smarthinking, a leading provider of online tutoring and academic support. The free software offers live tutoring anytime, from anywhere, 24/7. Students are provided a link to Smarthinking in their Moodle course.

Student E-Mail

MyEdge is a free service for ECC students and alumni powered by Google. Your MyEdge account is automatically created for you within 24 hours of you registering for your first class with ECC. Your MyEdge account will be the official communication between the student and ECC.

The login for MyEdge is the same as for Moodle and Webadvisor. Please refer to the login instructions for “Moodle Login”.

If you need help with MyEdge, create a support ticket: http://www.edgecombe.edu/tech-support-request

WebAdvisor

WebAdvisor enables students to search for classes, register for classes, communicate with advisors and more. Students must use WebAdvisor to get their grades after each semester. All students are issued a WebAdvisor account when they register for their very first class. Please refer to the “Moodle Login” instructions for the Webadvisor login instructions. If you have technical questions about Webadvisor, create a support ticket: http://www.edgecombe.edu/tech-support-request

ALL STUDENTS MUST MEET WITH OR CONTACT THEIR ACADEMIC ADVISOR PRIOR TO REGISTERING ON WEBADVISOR.

IF YOU ARE RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID AND YOU REGISTER FOR A COURSE YOU DO NOT NEED IN YOUR PROGRAM OF STUDY, YOU WILL BE SUBJECT TO WITHDRAWAL AND/OR REPAYMENT OF THE TUITION.

Curriculum Online/Hybrid Class Registration Procedure

New Students

New students should follow these procedures:

  1. Apply to Edgecombe Community College:
    (https://www1.cfnc.org/Applications/NC_Community_College/apply.html?application_id=1496)
  2. Forward official transcripts to the Registrar’s office at Edgecombe Community College.
  3. Contact a Counselor in Student Services at 252-823-5166.

Returning Students

Returning students should follow these procedures:

  1. Contact your faculty advisor who will register you for your classes.
  2. Take the Registration form to the Business Office and to the Bookstore.

State authorization is required for all out-of State students enrolling in online/hybrid classes. Please contact the Distance Learning Coordinator for further information.

Availability of Support Services

Support services are available to distance students just as they are to traditional classroom students. These resources include the following:

Student Services

  1. Career Counseling
  2. Personal Counseling/Student Support (www.edgecombe.edu/student-support)
  3. Academic Counseling
  4. Financial Aid Counseling
  5. Veterans’ Services
  6. Student Organizations (www.edgecombe.edu/student-organizations)

Library

All research and collection databases are available at the link below. Contact information for library staff members can be obtained at this link:
http://www.edgecombe.edu/resources/lrc-library

Bookstore

Students can view the required books for a course and the cost of books from this link:
http://www.edgecombe.edu/bookstore-information

Student Email

A student MyEdge email account is created for students when they first register for classes at ECC. To learn more about student email, please go to: http://www.edgecombe.edu/myedge-faq

Assistance

Students needing assistance should contact Student Services on either campus at 252-823-5166, ext. 255 (Tarboro) or ext. 336 (Rocky Mount).