Community College Distance Learning
The history of community college distance learning can be traced back to a California task force created in 1970-1972 with the purpose of introducing new technology into the educational process. As a result of the task force, Coastline Community College was created which was the first campus that existed virtually and offered community college distance learning courses only. Dallas Community College soon followed but instead of using televised courses as Coastline did, they created videotapes that contained classes that could be accessed at the student’s convenience. Through the 80s and 90s many other community colleges developed distance learning programs.
The internet increased rapidly the availability of community college distance learning courses. With the internet, two-way communication between the instructor and student was possible, called synchronous communication. This gave the faculty and students the feeling that they were part of a dynamic classroom environment. As the number of community college distance learning courses being offered dramatically increased, the instructors became a little hesitant. Many have feared that less jobs would be available in future more classes are offered online with less time spent in the classroom led by a professor.
Community college distance learning provides a cost-effective way for people to earn an accredited education. Many partner with 4 year universities who also offer courses in a distance learning format. Because community colleges are public universities with federal funding, tuition rates are the same whether taking a distance education course or traditional classroom course. Community college distance learning courses can be accessed online, through print-based materials, and on the television, many community colleges partnering with PBS, or the Public Broadcasting Service. For someone with a full-time job or a stay-at-home mom, an education is possible through community college distance education. If a person is in a rural location can attend classes with distance education.
Most community colleges offer advice on if a student is a good candidate for participating in community college distance learning. One of the most important factors is ensuring the student is technically knowledgeable. The student must have access to a computer, be able to navigate through websites, and create documents to take an internet course. Those wanting to attend community college distance learning programs must be self-motivated because of the less structured environment. An instructor will not be there to tell the student when and what to study 2-3 times a week as with a traditional classroom. If the student gets behind on the coursework, he or she has difficulty catching up. The student has to be able to learn through reading rather than hearing, another personality trait one must consider when deciding to participate in community college distance education.