1. ECC Distance Learning
Fall 2011
Important
Dates
Monday Aug.29th
T he beginning of the semester is the most crucial
and fundamental time of the semester. Follow
these steps to start your online course off with suc-
Classes Begin
cess:
Friday Sept. 2nd  Go to http://angel.ecc.edu
Last Day to Add/Drop  Watch the ANGEL start up video posted
Monday Sept. 5th and explore the ANGEL student orienta-
tion posted on the ANGEL homepage
Labor Day
 Log into your ANGEL account
Monday Oct. 10th
 Print off your course syllabi
Columbus Day
 Purchase your course books
Friday Oct. 21st
 Get to know your course instructor
Midterm Grades Due
 Contact Distance Learning at 716-851-1942 if you have any prob-
Tuesday Nov. 8th lems or concerns with your online course
Election Day
Distance learning is a formal approach to learning in which
Friday Nov. 11th
the majority of the instruction occurs with the instructor
Veteran’s Day and students separated by geographic distance and/or time.
Friday Nov. 18 Distance learning courses offer students the flexibility of
completing some or all of their coursework and assign-
Last Day to Withdraw
ments without having to regularly attend classes on an ECC
Wednesday –Saturday campus.
Nov. 23—26th Distance learning students have the ability to take courses
at a place and time that is convenient for them.
Thanksgiving Recess
The distance learning program at ECC serves more than
Tuesday Dec. 20th 5,000 students each semester. Distance learning covers a
Last Day of Classes wide range of General Education requirements.
Friday Dec. 23rd
Grades Dues

2. Purchasing Your Books for Your
Online Courses
Make sure that when you purchase your books from for your online course that you buy
them from the appropriate bookstore. Even though your online course is not an on cam-
pus course, it is still assigned to a campus. You must purchase your books from the cam-
Distance pus that your online course is assigned to. How do you know which campus your course
is assigned to? To figure this out you must look at the section of the course:
learning Example: HI 101-1C1: This course is assigned to City Campus.
N=North Campus
students
S=South Campus
have the C=City Campus
So, If you are enrolled in an online course and it is assigned to the City campus, you must
ability to purchase your textbooks for that online course through the City campus bookstore. You
also can order your books online and then have it shipped to the campus you are closest
take courses to or even to your front door! To do this, you must visit the following website:
http://www.efollett.com
at a place
and time
Basic Skills for Online Learning
that is
convenient
 Good Time Management Skills
for them  Self Motivation and Discipline
 Organizational Skills
 Goal and Task Orientated
 Well Developed Reading and
Writing Skills
 Basic Computer Skills and
Knowledge

3. Survival Tips for Online Learning
Enrolling in an online course provides exciting opportunities for stu-
dents that are constrained by time, place or other factors. Taking an
online course requires organization, self-motivation and time man-
agement skills.
Research indicates that online courses require just as much, if not
more, time than traditional classes.
Sometimes an online course can be overwhelming for students but,
with the right tools, it can be an exciting and productive environment
to learn in. Here are some survival tips for taking online courses:
 Plan Ahead. Be prepared from the beginning of the course. Read
over the syllabus and make sure you understand everything that is
expected of you. Purchase any textbooks, study guides or course ma-
terial. Download/Install any software you might need for the course.
Preview the course material so that you are prepared for what you will
be learning about.
Did you know  Get Organized. Set aside time and a place to study each week. De-
velop a study schedule and stick to it. Log into your course frequently
ECC offers to check on course announcements and communications from your
more than 250 instructor and other students. Write out on a calendar all of your due
dates for the course so you know how long you have to complete each
course sections assignments.
online?  Practice Self Discipline. In an online class there is not an instructor
standing over your shoulder monitoring your progress, so it is easy to
start the “I will do it tomorrow” syndrome. Stick to your set study
schedule so you don’t get behind on the lessons.
 Strengthen Study Skills. Skim readings first to gather key points,
then go back and read carefully for the details. Take notes on each
section of your readings and organize these notes into an outline.
Keep track of questions you have. Organize your study environment.
 Create a Study Space. A quiet and secure location for studying is
important. Take time and effort to create a suitable study space. Make
sure the space has enough room to spread your work out and that it is
free of distractions.
 Stay in touch with your instructor. Contact your instructor regularly
regarding course material. If you have a question regarding the mate-
rial, don’t be afraid to ask, they are there to support you! Ask for help if
you need it.

4. Check Out Our Distance
Learning Programs
Business Administration A.A.S.
Business-Business Administration A.S.
Criminal Justice A.A.
Office Management A.A.S.
Computer Applications for the Office Certificate
Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement A.A.S.
Homeland Security Certificate
Physical Education Studies A.S.
GIS Software Application Specialist Certificate
Telecommunications Technology - Verizon A.A.S.
Liberal Arts & Science: General Studies A.S.
Humanities & Social Science/Social Science A.A
Feel like your having a difficult time adapting to an
online learning environment? Do have questions
about online learning, time management, study
skills, registering for courses or any other aca-
demic issues?
Feel free to contact our Distance Learning Mentor!
Kate Griffin
Distance Learning Mentor
716-851-1942