What Is Distance Education? 

Distance Education is made up of classes taught outside the traditional on-campus method, using various forms of technology so students may learn more independently.  These are regular credit courses, with the same content and grading policies as on-campus courses.   Prerequisite requirements are also the same for these courses as those for traditional courses, with the exception that WebCT classes require that you take the WebCT Orientation class.  There are different types of Distance Education courses offered at Mesalands Community College through the Internet, PBS telecourse, Video College, Digital Interactive Video and Mesalands Telecommunications Network options.

What is an Internet or On-Line course? 

This is the type of course in which student access to course content, projects, assignments, interactive quizzes, and testing is through the computer/Internet.  Instructors may include online class discussions and other online interaction through electronic bulletin board and email.   Students enrolling in Internet courses must have access to the Internet using an adequate computer operating system such as Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT 4.0 or higher.  Other computer requirements are listed on Mesalands Community College's website at http://www.mesalands.edu.  The courses offered through this method are set up through WebCT, and upon completion of enrollment (payment) an orientation packet will be mailed to the student.  Online courses have regularly scheduled beginning and ending dates and there are deadline dates assigned for your classroom activities (including homework, assigned readings, and even virtual classroom discussion requirements).  The student must have a computer and Internet access.  The orientation packet will give you detailed instructions to guide you through the log-on process after you are enrolled for these types of classes.  

 

What Is a PBS telecourse? 

A PBS telecourse is a combination of televised lessons, study guide and textbook readings, written assignments, and testing.  PBS telecourses in Tucumcari are shown on KENW-Portales, New Mexico, a Public Broadcasting System (PBS) station (channel 11 on cable and 32 by antenna).  PBS telecourses are also shown on the following UHF-TV channels in New Mexico:  Carlsbad (Channel 49), Clovis (Channel 51), Ragland, Forrest, McAlister and Quay (Channel 34), and Ruidoso (Channel 49).  These courses require the student to watch the broadcasts and then complete class assignments and tests according to a schedule set up by the facilitator within the semester time lines for the course. 

May I tape the lessons and watch them later? 

Yes.  We encourage you to tape the episodes so that you may refer back to them. 

What is Video College? 

These courses are identical to PBS telecourses with the exception that the lessons are on VHS tapes or DVD's that can be checked out from the Mesalands Community College Educational Services Center. 

What is Digital Interactive Video (DITV)? 

The instructor of these courses may be physically located at one site, while video and audio links enable the instructors and students to see, hear, and speak with each other at other sites.  For example, students can earn credits from the Eastern New Mexico University while watching internet-linked classes here at Mesalands Community College.  The student registers for classes listed by the Eastern New Mexico University and completes all assignments and requirements for the class through that institution. As a guideline, the student should also contact Mesalands Community College for the class broadcast time, etc. 

What is Mesalands Telecommunications Network (MTN)?

Mesalands Telecommunications Network Classes are  Public Broadcasting System telecourses shown on Tucumcari's Comcast Cable channel 96 and is a combination of televised lessons, study guide and textbook readings, written assignments, and testing.  These courses require the student to watch the broadcasts on Mesalands Telecommunications Network channel 96 and then complete class assignments and tests according to a schedule set up by the facilitator within the semester time lines for the course.