Frequently Asked Questions
A distance learning course is a regular college credit course, but instead of attending conventional classes, technology is used to teach concepts, supplement textbook information, and enable you to communicate with instructors or other distance learning students.
Most of Genesee's Distance Learning courses utilize the course management system in My Courses accessed through GenESIS from our main web page. There are student tutorials within My Courses to help you familiarize yourself with the system.
Instead of conventional class attendance, distance learning courses use communication media which free the student from time and location restraints. Genesee Community College instructors fill in where technology can't: they DIRECT your study, ANSWER your questions, and help you APPLY the learned information.
Each distance learning course is different, but all involve regular communication – generally via My Courses. Some instructors choose to communicate via GCC email, and some courses have mandatory oncampus laboratory sessions. Course-specific attendance requirements are posted on our Course Web Page.
Distance learning instructors vary in the techniques they use to evaluate and grade: check your syllabus. All courses require written work. Some assign a series of short papers; some require one or more longer papers; some require field research, term papers or projects. Some instructors give online assessments in My Courses; some require exams to be taken at the Center for Academic Progress (CAP) or at a Genesee Community College Campus Center. For some online courses, students who reside outside the GLOW region may be asked to locate a test proctor1. Other courses may incorporate the use of videos2.
Some courses - notably science and career courses - require labs, where attendance is mandatory. Course-specific attendance requirements are posted on our Course Web Page.
Genesee Community College distance learning courses are convenient, flexible and high quality. They are not effort-free, time-free, or necessarily travel-free!
As a rule of thumb, successful college students report they spend about two hours outside of class for every hour in class. There are no 'in-class' hours (except those which require labs) in a distance learning course. But there are, depending on the course, textbook readings, online readings and assignments. You should plan on an average of 8-10 hours of work, per week, for each 3-credit distance learning course. Double that for 8-week courses.
A major advantage of distance learning is the flexible schedule. Though you set your own hours for completing course requirements, you must stay active in the course, communicate regularly, meet deadlines, and finish coursework by the dates indicated by your instructor in the course syllabus and calendar.
91% of Genesee Community College distance learning students rate their course "as much or more" work - and "equal or greater educational value" - compared to conventional courses.
Once you have successfully registered for your online courses in GenESIS, Computer Services will establish your student email account based on your GenESIS Userid.
An email from the Distance Learning Office will be sent to your student account two to three weeks before the first day of classes. This letter will contain information about your Course Management System and any specific details your instructor includes. Some instructors require students to submit a Distance Learning Student Information Form.
A Technical Orientation takes place just before the start of the semester. This is an opportunity for you to come to a computer lab at the Batavia campus and learn how My Courses and Genesee email work. If you feel competent in your computer and organizational skills, you may opt to work through the Student Tutorial in My Courses in lieu of Technical Orientation.
During Technical Orientation the Bookstore, Records and Business offices are open, and picture ID/Library cards may be obtained. An Orientation Postcard will be mailed to your home detailing semester-specific Technical Orientation times and location.
NOTE: Students must register for Distance Learning Courses prior to the first day of class. Students cannot be added to Distance Learning courses after the first day of class.
No students are added to online courses after the first day of classes because the number one risk factor impeding student success in an online course is Time of Registration. Students trying to add an online course late have already missed assignments (most courses have introductory assignments due the first day), do not have their textbooks yet, and are unprepared. Once a course is launched only the uploaded students have access to the learning content.
Yes. Genesee Community College distance learning courses are the same as identically-numbered conventional courses in meeting requirement or elective credit needs for Genesee Community College and other colleges' majors.
Genesee Community College's online courses work best for mature individuals who work well independently and who can effectively budget their time and set priorities. They are for students whose job or home responsibilities limit the time they can spend in a conventional classroom.
Genesee Community College degree programs which can be completed 50% or more through distance learning:
Accounting A.A.S.
Accounting A.S.
Accounting Certificate
Alcohol & Substance Abuse A.S.
Business Administration A.A.S.
Business Administration A.S.
Computer Information Systems A.S.
Criminal Justice A.A.S.
Criminal Justice A.S.
Criminal Justice Certificate
Early Childhood Certificate
Economic Crime Investigation A.S.
Entrepreneurship Certificate
Fitness Recreation and Sports Management A.A.S.
General Studies A.S.
General Education Certificate
Gerontology Certificate
Human Services A.S.
Human Services A.A.S.
Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Science A.A.
Sports Management A.S.
Teacher Education Transfer A.S.
Teaching Assistant Certificate
For long term planning assistance, contact Distance Learning very early in the inquiry process. Regular Genesee Community College Admissions, Financial Aid, placement testing, credit/course transfer, other policies and procedures apply. Academic advisement is strongly recommended very early in the inquiry process. Specific course sequences for full-time study are available on request. Course sequences for part-time study will vary, and are determined in the process of academic advising and schedule planning.
Would a Distance Learning course fit your lifestyle, study habits, work and home situation? Find out! Click here to find the questionnaire.
1 If you live far from Genesee's locations in Western New York State and are taking an online course where proctored exams are used, you will need to arrange for a proctor, in cooperation with your professor. A proctor can be any reputable professional person who is not related to you, and with whom the faculty member can communicate directly via phone as well as fax and/or email. Examples include staff at another college's testing center, a teacher or librarian, a church secretary, a corporate trainer or office manager, etc. Arranging for an exam proctor early in your online course is strongly recommended.
2Some online courses require viewing instructional videos as part of course requirements. These video programs are cablecast regionally on Time-Warner Educational Access channel and can be recorded on your VCR. Not all courses use videos. Not all cable customers receive Genesee programs. For more information, call your cable operator, or the distance learning office. Videos can be checked out for home viewing from Genesee's campus centers or the main campus library. You may rent videos for certain courses or receive them via streamed video on the Internet, for a fee, by contacting RMI Media at 1-800-745-5480 or at www.rmimedia.com.
