Telecourses Fall '08 Class Schedule - Registration Begins April 14 Summer '08 Class Schedule - Registration Begins March 31 Spring '08 Class Schedule Telecourses make use of a series of video programs to deliver the lecture portion of the course. Text books, study guides and in some cases audio cassettes are required to support the video programs. The videos are aired on CCBC's cable TV channel 71 (CCBC-TV71) in Baltimore County. Maryland Public Television no longer broadcasts CCBC telecourses. There are a number of additional ways that telecourse videos can be viewed, in some cases including DVD, CD-ROM and video streaming; see Telecourse Viewing Options. Students attend several on-campus sessions with the instructor but otherwise communication is via telephone, conventional mail, e-mail or fax. Texts and study guides are purchased at the Bookstore, and testing is done at the campuses Testing Centers. For more information call the Telecourse Helpline, 410-455-4179 or  e-mail jsarinsky@ccbcmd.edu Are These Courses for You? Telecourses, like other distance learning courses, are an ideal learning method for some students. They provide educational opportunities to many people who, for a variety of reasons, cannot participate in regularly scheduled classes on campus. Distance learning courses can be exciting, challenging, enriching and convenient, but they are not for everyone. They should not be considered an easy way to earn credits. In fact, this learning environment requires a high level of self-motivation, discipline and independence. Before electing to enroll in a distance learning course, take this ten question Self Assessment Test to see how well distance learning courses fit your personal circumstances and characteristics. Also read our Tips for Success. Here's How It Works Step 1 - Register • Register for your course just as you would for any other CCBC credit course. Caution! Check the section indicator carefully to verify that it is either TCA, TDA or TEA for telecourse.  Step 2 - Choose a Means of Acquiring the Videos • All CCBC telecourses are aired on CCBC-TV71 (Comcast Cable Channel 71) in Baltimore County, but there are many other ways that you can access the video material; see Telecourse Viewing Options. Step 3 - Read the Course Syllabus • Within a few days prior to the start of classes, the telecourse instructor will mail to you a syllabus which will explain how the course is organized, texts, required assignments, scheduled review sessions, exam dates, etc. Step 4 - Purchase Texts and Study Guides • Texts, study guides, and audio cassettes (if required) can be purchased from the Bookstore. Step 5 - Begin Watching • You should begin watching the telecourse videos and using the text and study guide as soon as the course begins. Most telecourses are paced at two 1/2 hour videos per week but some are organized differently. The instructor will send you a syllabus but don't wait for it to arrive to begin the course. If you need more information, call the Telecourse Helpline at 410-455-4179 or e-mail jsarinsky@ccbcmd.edu. Step 6 - Attend Orientation • Your instructor may schedule a face-to-face orientation meeting during the first two weeks of classes. There also may be several review sessions during the semester. These meetings may be held simultaneously on campus and various other sites, via interactive video. Check your course syllabus. Studies have shown that attending the orientation and review sessions increases students' chances of completing the course successfully and helps to keep them on-track throughout the semester. Step 7 - Keep Up To Date • Because telecourses provide less direct contact between students and instructors, telecourse students must maintain a certain amount of discipline and self-motivation. Stay current with your work on a weekly basis and your telecourse experience will be a rewarding one.  Telecourse Viewing Options There are now many new options for viewing the telecourse video content, in addition to traditional cablecast and broadcast distribution. Many courses are available on DVD or CD-ROM, and students who have a PC with broadband Internet access can arrange to receive most programs via video streaming. The telecourse class schedule for each semester indicates which options are available for each course and provides links to private distributors. Cablecast: The Community College of Baltimore County operates cable channel 71 on the Comcast cable system in Baltimore County. All telecourses are cablecast on this channel at the times listed in the telecourse class schedule for each semester. Check your course syllabus for any additional times. Free Video Streaming: The Annenberg/CPB Video on Demand service offers free video streaming for many of the CCBC telecourses. There is a one-time, free sign-up for this service. Users must have a PC with a broadband Internet connection (cable modem, DSL or LAN connection to a T1 line or greater), Windows Media Player, and JavaScript enabled. Students may also come to CCBC student computer labs to access the streamed videos. Click here for more information about this service. Library Loan: VHS copies of all telecourses are available for checkout from the Catonsville and Essex Campus libraries on a first-come, first-served basis. Some courses are also available on DVD or CD-ROM. Check with the library on your campus for availability and policies. Telecourse videos are available for in-house viewing at all three campus libraries. Rental and Video Streaming Service: By signing up with the ACT Telecourse Rental Program, you can arrange to have an entire set of telecourse videos delivered to you in VHS format, and in some cases, DVD or CD-ROM. ACT also delivers many courses via video streaming. There is a per-course fee for these services. Users of video streaming must have a PC with a broadband Internet connection (cable, DSL or broadband wireless), Windows Media Player 7.0 or higher, and Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher OR Netscape 6.1 or higher. Click here for more information, or call ACT at 1-800-745-5480. For Further Information: You may call the Telecourse Helpline at 410-455-4179 or e-mail jsarinsky@ccbcmd.edu. Back to Distance Learning Home