College Telecourses

What is a telecourse?

Earning college credit is now easy and convenient for all Arkansans - no matter how remote or isolated they may be - through television courses (telecourses) offered jointly by the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) and the Arkansas Telecommunications Consortium. A telecourse is a complete and integrated instructional system that generally includes television programs, a textbook, study guides and a variety of other instructional materials designed to be used as the principal components of a college course.

The primary difference between telecourses and traditionally taught college courses is the manner in which instruction is delivered to students. Traditional students may go to a college campus for instruction by a faculty member several times per week, whereas a student utilizing telecourse materials works more independently, through the television programs and reading the print materials at home, with guidance from the course instructor through a variety of communication and instructional techniques. The number of required class meeting is much fewer than in traditionally taught classes because the basic course content is delivered to the student through television, print, and other types of faculty/student interactions.

How can telecourses help adults earn a college degree?

We can no longer assume that traditional teaching/learning methods and approaches will be adequate for the future. Many institutions of higher education are beginning to recognize that using technologies for education means putting in place an "information highway" that blankets the entire state and serves all levels of education. This "information highway" will help educators share resources and provide learning opportunities to all citizens. AETN and the Arkansas Telecommunications Consortium have implemented a service to expand the access to higher education for all Arkansans. The past decade has seen a string of successes and expansion for college television courses. Every year more colleges have used television courses, more students have enrolled in them and more new courses have become available.

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How do students access and use telecourse materials?

The initial means by which students access the television programs is through AETN's broadcast signal or through a transmission, by the sponsoring college, of programs on a local cable access channel. Most students have a VCR and record their television programs off-the-air for later use at a more convenient time. All colleges have copies of the television programs for use by the student if they happen to miss a telecast of a lesson.

Telecourse print materials are generally distributed to students through the college bookstore in the same manner as print materials for traditional courses. Some colleges and universities permit students to order telecourse materials by phone or by mail . In some cases, instructors distribute texts to students at orientation by special arrangements with the bookstore. Each institution distributes the materials in accordance to local policy. Students need to check with their instructor to find out what procedure is used for the college in which they are enrolled.

All telecourse faculty members have some contact with students. The amount and the type of contact are a matter of personal style of the instructor and the policy of the college. One of the principal reasons students enroll in telecourses is for the con venience of not having to spend as much time on campus as they do for traditionally taught courses. However, telecourse students can have as much contact as they need or want on an individual basis to supplement class meetings. In general faculty and telecourse students get together in the following ways:

Class meetings for orientation, lectures, seminars, review sessions, test preparation, discussion groups and tests.

Correspondence which might include an orientation letter, newsletters, assignments and reactions to assignments and general outreach letters of encouragement.

Telephone

Individual Conferences

Computer Conferences

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What telecourses are available?

Each semester, AETN broadcasts six to eight different telecourses based upon the recommendations of the Arkansas Telecommunications Consortium.

Some colleges offer additional telecourses via their local cable access system. To find out if a college is offering additional courses, you must contact the college's Continuing Education Department or the Dean of Instruction.

What colleges offer telecourses?

Each semester, different colleges offer telecourses and not all the colleges offer the same ones. Students interested in taking a telecourse from a specific college need to contact the Department of Continuing Education or the Dean of Instruction at the college of their choice to find out if they provide telecourses and what courses they offer.

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How much do telecourses cost?

Tuition fees for telecourses usually are the same as the tuition fees that are charged for traditional on-campus courses. Each college and university has its own tuition schedule, therefore, you must consult with the institution where you wish to earn credit to find out about the cost. There may be charges other than basic tuition fees. Some classes have lab fees attached and the college may charge for parking permits, etc. When you contact the college about costs, be sure to inquire about all possible charges.

Do telecourses qualify for financial aid?

Telecourses on most campuses are treated the same as all other courses and do qualify for the same scholarships, grants and student loan programs. If a student qualifies for financial aid for a traditional face-to-face on campus course, then the student would qualify for financial aid to take a telecourse.

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How do I enroll in telecourses?

To enroll in a telecourse includes the same requirements and procedures as enrolling in traditional on-campus courses. On some campuses, the Department of Continuing Education handles registration for telecourses. Students interested in taking telecours es should contact the college that he/she is interested in to find out the proper procedure for that campus.

Are telecourses available at the graduate level?

Most telecourses are designed to be used at the freshman and sophomore levels, however there are a few courses that are being offered at the upper level. Some institutions will offer the upper level courses for both graduate and under-graduate credit. Students interested in graduate level telecourses should contact the Department of Continuing Education or the Dean of Instruction at the institution where they want to obtain their credit to see if graduate level telecourses are available.

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May high school students take telecourses?

Many colleges have established an agreement with area high schools that telecourse credit may be offered both for high school and college credit. Any individual eligible to enroll in college may enroll in a telecourse. For a junior or senior in high school to obtain high school credit for a college course would require that the school administration and/or school board grant such credit. However, many small school districts are finding telecourses to be an excellent way to provide coursework for those advanced placement students that they have.

Who is the typical telecourse student?

Most telecourse students tend to be older than traditional college students. About half of all telecourse students are over 35. Slightly more than half of the students are currently married and have at least one dependent. Approximately 80% of telecourse students work while they take telecourses and about two-thirds of the students are female.

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College Telecourses

AETN, in partnership with the Arkansas Telecommunications Consortium, airs telecourses in an effort to increase Arkansans' access to higher education. A telecourse is an integrated instructional system that may include television programs, a textbook, study guides and other instructional materials.

 Telecourse Schedule - Spring 2008

 Telecourse Schedule - Summer 2008

For more information about the courses that are being offered on AETN send an e-mail to education@aetn.org.