TELECOURSES

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What is a telecourse?

A telecourse is like any other college course in that there are reading and writing assignments, tests, and unit credits that can be transferred to a four-year institution. But there are some significant differences. The main one is that the material that would traditionally be presented through lectures is presented through a series of videotapes. Students do meet with their instructor, but only once or twice a month, not the one to three times per week that is usual in traditional courses. Class meetings are used more for organization, review, questions and testing, than for lecturing.

Telecourses provide a wonderful opportunity for people who have a difficult time getting to a college campus, but may not work well for students who need a lot of interaction with an instructor. Take a self-assessment test to see if distance learning will work for you.

What courses can I take as a telecourse?

For a list of available telecourses, see the course schedule for the current (or upcoming) semester on the Contra Costa College homepage or look up a course by department in WebAdvisor (follow link on College homepage).

Where do I get the telecourse tapes?

In-Library Viewing

The telecourse programs are available for viewing in the Media Lab on the Library mezzanine. These tapes do not circulate outside of the library. Contact the Media Lab for availability and hours. (510) 235-7800 x4443

Library Checkout

Students who are enrolled in a CCC telecourse may check out course tapes to watch at home from the Reserve collection at the Circulation Desk. These are the ONLY videos that check out of the CCC Library. You must present a current student ID card at the time of checkout.

• Availability:  There are several copies of each series. They are available on a first-come, first-serve basis only. There are NO reservations. (If the tape you need is unavailable for home checkout, there may be a copy to watch in the Media Lab.)

• Tape Limit:  One video at a time (each tape contains 2 - 4 programs).

• Load Period:  The check out period is 7 days, with the day a tape is checked out counted as Day #1.

• Renewals:  Videos may be not be renewed.

• Late/Lost Tapes:  Fines will be charged the same as any other Reserve item (50 cents per hour). The maximum fine for an overdue video is $35. The replacement cost for a lost or damaged video is $35.

If you have any questions, please contact one of the Senior Library Assistants at the Circulation Desk. (510) 235-7800 x4318 or x4492

Telecourse Rentals

The videotape sets for most of the telecourses used at Contra Costa College are available for rental from RMI Media Productions, Inc. The rental price is usually $55 per set, plus a postage and handling fee. These fees are non-refundable, and are subject to change.

Students may use the tapes for the duration of the semester in which they are enrolled. The tapes are due thirty days from the end of the course. If the tapes are not returned by the end of the 30 day grace period, an additional $55 will be charged to the student's account. Please return all materials by certified mail in the original bag or box, along with the packing slip.

NEW OPTION!! Many telecourses are also available via streaming video over the Internet. The fee for this option is the same as for video rental. Students may view each lesson up to 3 times.

You may order online or by telephone. Most orders are received within 10 days. Special orders will require additional fees.

Have the following information ready when ordering:

• course name
• title of the telecourse
• Visa or Master Card number
• current and permanent address
• name of the college where you are enrolled

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Contra Costa College Homepage
Last updated: 5 March 2004
For questions about the website and/or the Distance Learning Program, contact Lynda Lawrence, Senior Dean of Instruction.