Frequently Asked Questions

Below, you will find a list of frequently asked questions on distance learning at Seminole State. Click the questions on the list to learn their correct answers or scroll down the page to read all of the information in sequence.

If you need further information, e-mail the Distance Learning Department, call 407.708.2424 or complete a Distance Learning Information Request Form to have an information packet mailed to you.

Question Index

• What Is Distance Learning?
• What Is a Video Course?
• What Is an Online Course?
• What Is an Online/Campus Course?
• What Are the Requirements for Taking a Video Course?
• What Are the Requirements for Taking an Online Course?
• Are Distance Learning Courses Easier or More Difficult than Traditional Courses?
• Are There Orientation Sessions or Other On-Campus Meetings Required for Video Courses?
• Are There Orientation Sessions or Other On-Campus Meetings Required for Online Courses?
• Are There Orientation Sessions or Other On-Campus Meetings Required for Online/Campus Courses?
• How Are Things Like Testing and Homework Assignments Handled in a Video Course?
• How Are Things Like Testing and Homework Assignments handled in an Online Course?
• Where Can I Learn What Distance Learning Courses Are Being Offered?
• How Do I Get Started Once I Sign up for a Distance Learning Course?
• I Am Registered for an Online Course, but I Cannot Log into the Class. Why?
• I Am Having Difficulty Logging into the ANGEL Course Management System. Why?
• I Am Getting "Access Denied" Errors in ANGEL. Why?
• I Need Help with the Software that I Use for My Class as SAM, PLATO, Keyboarding, or Other Software. Who Do I Contact?

What Is Distance Learning?

Distance learning is an instructional setting in which instructors and learners are removed in time, place or pace from the source of instruction. Distance learning courses may be offered through a variety of media, including print, audio, video, CD-ROM, television, teleconference and the Internet.

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What Is a Video Course?

A video course is instruction delivered via a collection of video programs in VideoCD, DVD and streaming video formats. Students in Seminole State's video courses earn the same credits as those in classroom courses; the difference is in the delivery method and students' role in distance learning coursework. Students in video courses communicate with instructors via telephone, mail or by visiting them during their office hours. It is possible that contact with classmates may not occur at all.

Video courses have several components, including videos for home or on-campus viewing, text and/or workbooks, and on-campus activities, such as class orientation, review sessions and tests. Video courses that require some on-campus activities for lecture and discussion may be referred to as video/campus courses. Some video courses also use the ANGEL online course development tool to enhance the course with Web-based study material and quizzes. You may see these Web-enhanced video courses also referenced as "Video/Web."

You can learn more about video courses by visiting Seminole State's Video Courses home page.

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What Is an Online Course?

An online course is instruction delivered over the Internet. Online courses foster remote interaction among students and instructors. Most, but not all, of Seminole State's online courses use a course delivery tool called ANGEL. Learn more about the College's online courses by visiting Seminole State's Online Courses home page.

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What Is an Online/Campus Course?

An online/campus course combines online course delivery (approximately 75 percent of the course is online) with on-campus class time for face-to-face instruction, discussion and testing (approximately 25 percent of the course is on campus). The components and requirements for an online/campus course are the same as those for online courses, with the understanding that students will also meet on campus for a reduced number of scheduled class meetings. Contact a course's instructor for more information about its requirements and scheduled meeting times, dates and locations.

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What Are the Requirements for Taking a Video Course?

As with all distance learning classes, good time-management skills, motivation and self-discipline are required for video course studies. To take a video course, students must have access to a television and a VCR or DVD player, or a computer that is capable of viewing DVDs or VideoCDs, or high-speed Internet access for viewing streaming videos. Review the video course information home page for more detail on obtaining video materials.

Students may also view the videos at the Sanford/Lake Mary, Oviedo, or the Altamonte Springs Campus libraries. If a video course is Web-enhanced using ANGEL, students may also be required to have access to an Internet-ready computer to complete course activities. Seminole State offers computer labs on each of its campuses, so students who don't own a computer can complete Web-based distance learning activities.

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What Are the Requirements for Taking an Online Course?

As with all distance learning classes, good time-management skills, motivation and self-discipline are required for online learning. It is also essential for students to take initiative and communicate with their instructor when they have questions. Students must have access to a computer with an Internet connection, as well as any additional course-specific software required by the instructor, and be familiar with how to use e-mail and navigate the Internet.

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Are Distance Learning Courses Easier or More Difficult than Traditional Courses?

Distance learning courses are not easier or more difficult than classes on campus, but they do require a special kind of dedication, as well as a level of familiarity and comfort using a computer and navigating the Internet. Visit Seminole State's Self Assessment Web page for tools to help you evaluate your learning preferences.

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Are There Orientation or Other On-Campus Meetings Required for Video Courses?

Many of Seminole State's video courses have mandatory orientation meetings on campus. During the orientations, students receive a course outline and other important information. If an emergency keeps them from attending this session, students must contact their instructor immediately. There will be tests and a final exam, as well as other possible assignments that students must either mail in or complete on campus.

To learn if there is an orientation for a particular course, review the online Seminole State Catalog and the Distance Learning Welcome Information home page, or contact the instructor.

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Are There Orientation Sessions or Other On-Campus Meetings Required for Online Courses?

It depends on the course. Most of our online courses do not require an on-campus orientation; however, some instructors do have required orientation meetings on campus. Students should contact their instructor immediately if they cannot attend an on-campus orientation (if applicable).

Most online course instructors conduct all of their testing online, but some may require students to come to campus for a midterm or final exam. Check with the instructor to determine if proctored on-campus testing is required.

Review the online Seminole State Catalog and the distance learning welcome information Web page, or contact the instructor to learn if there is an on-campus orientation for a course. 

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Are There Orientation Sessions or Other On-Campus Meetings Required for Online/Campus Courses?

Yes. Review the online Seminole State Catalog and the Distance Learning Welcome Information home page, or contact the instructor for information on required meeting days, times and locations.The number of class meetings may vary depending on the course and the term in which it is offered.

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How Are Tests and Homework Assignments Handled in a Video Course?

There will be tests and a final exam, as well as other possible assignments that students will either mail or come to campus to complete. Textbooks and other class materials may be purchased at Seminole State's bookstore. Web-enhanced video or video/Web courses may also include online quizzing or activities using ANGEL.

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How Are Tests and Homework Assignments Handled in an Online Course?

Online classes typically include online tests or quizzes and a final exam, as well as other types of course-specific papers, projects or assignments that students complete and submit to their instructor. In some classes, students may be asked to come to campus for a midterm or final exam. Textbooks and other class materials may be purchased at Seminole State's bookstores.

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Where Can I Learn What Distance Learning Courses Are Being Offered?

Review our term schedule to see what distance learning courses are being offered. Each of our video, video/Web, online, online/campus and video/campus courses are also listed online in the the MySCC class schedule and the online Seminole State Catalog and are identified as distance learning classes.

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How Do I Get Started Once I Sign up for a Distance Learning Course?

Informational handouts on distance learning courses and ANGEL, orientation and contact information, and links to instructor welcome letters are available on the distance learning information Web page.

Once officially enrolled in a distance learning course, students receive a welcome postcard from the Distance Learning Department prior to the beginning of the term. If students enroll during the add/drop period, there may be a slight delay before they receive their postcard.

For help getting started, e-mail the Distance Learning Office or call 407.708.2424.

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I Am Registered for an Online Course, but I Cannot Log into the Class. Why?

You cannot access your course until the first day of classes for the term in which you are registered. If you register during the add/drop period, there may be a slight delay in the activation of your ID and password; however, you should be granted access to the course within two business days. Also, ensure that you are still officially enrolled in the class, and, if you are, you should contact your instructor to see if and why you have been blocked from the course.

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I Am Having Difficulty Logging into the ANGEL Course Management System. Why?

The URL for the ANGEL login page at Seminole State is: http://ecampus.scc-fl.edu/

• Your ANGEL ID is the same login name that you created for MySCC. If you have not yet created a MySCC account, you must visit http://my.scc-fl.edu and create an account before you can access ANGEL.
• Your password is your first and last initial, followed by the six digits of your birth date (in YYMMDD format).
  
  Example: If your name is John Doe and you were born on March 1, 1977, your password would be JD770301.
• All IDs and passwords must be entered in UPPERCASE. ANGEL passwords are case sensitive.
• If you have forgotten your password, try using the "I forgot my password" link on the ANGEL home page to have a new password e-mailed to you (The e-mail address you provide using this Web form should be the same one you currently have specified in your MySCC user profile.).
• The AOL Web browser is not supported, and you may experience login difficulty if you attempt to use it. The Safari Web browser is also not supported. Ensure that you use Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla Firefox 3 when logging into ANGEL.
• If you register during the add/drop period, there may be a slight delay in the activation of your ID and password.
• Visit the ANGEL help Web page for more information about logging into ANGEL.

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I Am Getting "Access Denied" Errors in ANGEL. Why?

Please use Internet Explorer 7 or Mozilla Firefox 3 when browsing ANGEL; AOL can cause errors in ANGEL. This could also be a problem with your cookies on your computer. You need to change some browser settings for ANGEL to work correctly. If using one of the supported browsers does not fix the problem, you must adjust your browser by following the steps below. If you are having problems using Internet Explorer, you might want to download and use the Firefox browser.

• In Internet Explorer: Select "Tools" and then "Internet options." Then, click "Delete" under "Browsing History."
• In Firefox: Select "Tools" and then "Clear Private Data." Then, ensure that "Cookies" is selected and click "Clear Private Data Now."

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I Need Help with the Software that I Use for My Class, Such As SAM, PLATO, Keyboarding or Other Software. Who do I contact?

You need to contact either your professor or the toll-free number on the back of the installation CD. The Distance Learning Office cannot help with course-specific software.

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Did you know?

Seminole State has many degrees and certificates that you can complete through distance learning courses.