Welcome Learners,

Estrella Mountain Community College offers courses in several different formats:

• Hybrid— Hybrid courses are a blend of face-to-face instruction with online learning. Convenient for you and your lifestyle, Hybrid courses spend approximately half the time in class and half the time online. So for a 3 credit course, students spend 1 hour 15 minutes each week focusing on experiential learning and clarification of concepts. Students spend the remaining time working from home (or library) to complete class assignments, participate in on-line discussions, and reviewing on-line materials.
• On-line— Online classes can be accessed anywhere and anytime via the internet and a web browser. While this is an online course, students still spend significant time interacting and engaging online with their instructor, classmates, and course material. All lecture materials, assignments, quizzes, tests are all on-line (accessed via the internet).
• Traditional—In a typical 3 credit course, students spend 2.5 hours each week with an instructor in a classroom where they listen to lectures, have discussions, and complete in-class assignments, tests, quizzes (labs when required).

EMCC’s course content, academic rigor, and credits earned is the same across formats. For example, ENG 101 covers the same material in a traditional, hybrid, and on-line format, and is worth the same number of credits. The major difference is in how time is managed in each format.

Hybrid and on-line classes require students to be highly proactive in scheduling dedicated chunks of time to review class materials, participate in on-line discussions, complete assignments, and submitting their work via the internet. EMCC students have said that these classes have actually helped them improve their time management skills. Students who are most successful in e-learning environments possess certain types of skills and attributes before they begin these types of classes. Take a moment to listen to some students discuss their hybrid learning experience: Click here for Student Voices.

Learner Responsibilities

 1. Your Time Management and Organizational Skills
E-learning is different from traditional classroom education because it puts more responsibility on the learners (students). Successful e-learners are motivated self-starters, organized, and disciplined in their use of time. They also proactively participate in the on-line classroom, interacting regularly with their peers and instructors.

• Take the Self-Quiz: Are You Ready for E-Learning?
• Watch the Time Management PowerPoint
• Watch the Top Student Video

 2. Is Your Computer Ready for E-Learning?
To be a successful e-learner, you must have access to a reliable computer system and the internet. Please take this assessment from your home computer so that you can see if your computer is ready for E-Learning (click the link above).

If you don't have a computer at home, the computers in the Information Commons are available for your use. For Information Commons’ schedule of hours, see http://www.estrellamountain.edu/ctl/ls_index.asp

 3. Your Computer Skills
Successful e-learners need to possess basic computer skills. Learners should be able to proficiently use Microsoft software, navigate the World Wide Web, and use on-line search engines. A working personal email account is essential for learners, as is the ability to perform basic email tasks such as attaching documents and opening attachments.

EMCC’s hybrid and on-line courses are accessed via Blackboard, a web-based course management software. Thus learners are responsibility for being proficient in using Blackboard and Microsoft programs in order to complete all assignments on time.

• Students without fundamental computer skills are strongly encouraged to take CIS 105
• Blackboard Tutorials
• The Information Commons staff provide EMCC learners with a full complement of instructional and technical support services for online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses. Please see http://www.estrellamountain.edu/ctl/ls_onlineres.asp

 4. Your Communication Skills
In all class formats (traditional, on-line, and hybrid), strong reading and writing skills are essential for learner success. However, on-line and hybrid classes provide additional opportunities to enhance these skills as writing is the primary vehicle of communicating with others. Pay careful attention to the main concepts and requirements when reading course materials such as the syllabus, lectures, and assignments. Develop a brief outline of your thoughts before responding to questions posted on class discussion boards, writing assignments or via email. Clear organization, correct grammar, the appropriate style are core elements of effective written communications. Finally, civility and respect for the ideas of others promote vibrant learning communities http://www.studygs.net/netiquette.htm.

 5. Knowing When and Where to Ask for Support: “Your Success is Our Success!”
E-learners at Estrella Mountain Community College have many academic and technical support resources. Think of it this way: EMCC has an entire staff of trained professionals whose job is to help learners develop their skills and talents to full potential. The most successful learners actively use these institutional resources; successful learners know when to ask for help.

When should learners ask for help? Beginning in the second week of each semester if:

• You are unsure of any concepts
• Your quiz and assignment scores fall below 74%
• You are having trouble staying current with the reading
• Life issues interfere with your coursework.

EMCC’s learning resources:

• The EMCC Counseling Center offers for credit courses and non-credit workshops that help promote personal development and success in areas such as goal setting, time management, study skills. Explore their offerings at http://www.estrellamountain.edu/counseling/index.asp, or call 623-935-8909 to make an appointment to speak with a counselor.
• Information Commons, located in Estella Hall, provides learners with a full range of instructional and technical support services for online, hybrid, and face-to-face courses. You can get help with Blackboard, or Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, for example.
• The Learning Enhancement Center (LEC) is located in Estrella Hall. The LEC offers appointment based tutoring for reading, English as a Second Language (ESL), accounting, computing, economics, sign language, and Spanish, and also drop in tutoring for ESL, reading, and Spanish. See http://www.estrellamountain.edu/ctl/ls_tutoring.asp
• The Writing Center, located in Estrella Hall with the LEC, provides students with assistance on writing projects for any Estrella Mountain class. This learning support includes writing tutoring (both in-person and online) and other writing resources.
  See http://www.estrellamountain.edu/writing
• The On-Line Writing Center, accessed through Blackboard, offers electronic paper critiquing for papers for any Estrella Mountain class. See http://www.estrellamountain.edu/writing/online.asp
• The NASA Center for Success in Math & Science, located in Montezuma Hall, Room 122, offers a variety of services and resources for students enrolled in Mathematics and/or Science courses. See http://www.estrellamountain.edu/academics/nasacenter/initiatives.asp
• Math Lab, located in Montezuma Hall, Room 285 is devoted to helping students be successful in math.

The bottom line: Hybrid and on-line classes provide flexible and dynamic learning opportunities for those who might not be able to attend traditional classes due to work or family commitments. However, these class formats place more responsibility on learners. Successful e- learners are well-organized, efficient time managers, and have strong reading and written communication skills. They also possess basic computer skills, with access to a reliable computer and the internet. Finally, they know when to ask for help, and proactively use the wide range EMCC’s learning resources. Remember, EMCC is here to help you start here and go anywhere!