DISTANCE EDUCATION AT CASPER COLLEGE

Distance Education Facts

• Distance Education is a major contributor to Casper College's total annual head count, FTE, and revenue.
• The distance education program is approved and accredited to offer degrees by distance education by the Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
• Casper College began its distance education program in 1994, with the delivery of 1 telecourse to 2 students.
• In 2007, there were nearly 2, 800 students enrolled in various distance learning programs.
• The first full-time Director of Distance Education was hired in the Fall of 2000.
• The majority of distance education students, nearly 80%, come from within Natrona County.
• Casper College has been highly involved in the formation of the Wyoming Distance Education Consortium and has worked closely with the Wyoming Community College Commission.
• The Distance Education program primarily offers four different delivery styles: online internet courses, telecourses, compressed video courses, and hybrid courses.

Casper College Facts

• In 1945, as Wyoming’s first junior college, Casper College was located on the third floor of Natrona County High School.
• Currently, we have 28 buildings spanning over 200 acres. In November, 2008, a $35 million bond was passed to partially fund the new Gateway Building/Center for Training and Development, Student Center and UW/CC Center, Music Building, and numerous renovations to provide additional space for new and expanding majors. New residence halls to be funded by revenue bonds.
• The first fall enrollment in 1945 was 73. Now, approximately 3,200 traditional and non-traditional students from all over Wyoming, 20-plus states and 15 foreign countries, attend Casper College.
• Through its 108 two-year Associate degree programs and 37 one-year Certificate programs, Casper College has developed a national reputation for its academic standard and career programs. Our largest programs are general studies, elementary education, business administration, nursing, and fire science technology.
• The College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, and many other program-specific accrediting authorities.
• Casper College has more than 350 full-time employees and nearly 150 part-time employees that work together to carry out the College's mission.
• The men and women who work at Casper College are experienced professionals in their field. In fact, approximately 80% of faculty have their masters or doctorate degrees.

Get Started with Distance Learning

First Step
Are You Ready for Online Classes?

1. Student Orientation to Distance Learning
2. Student Survival Guide
3. REGISTER TODAY!

Second Step
Is Your Computer Ready for Online Classes?

1. Access the Technical Requirements Tab for computer system recomendations and requirements (formely listed as "Distance Education Computer Test")
2. Always use the Mozilla Firefox browser to avoid time-out issues with assignments and quizzes
   Mozilla Firefox can be installed on Windows, Mac and Linux systems.

Student Resources

• If you're having problems you may want to download and install FIREFOX:
  http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
  
• If you're having problems with Windows or XP operating systems, you may want to download and install updated JAVA: Version 6 Update 2
  http://www.java.com/en/download/index.jsp

For additional information check with the course instructor or the Additional Technical Requirements listed for each course.  

Technical Knowledge Prerequisites
Before participating in any course online, you should be comfortable performing the following tasks with your computer:

• Accessing the Internet and using a web browser.
• Creating and editing documents in a word processing program such as Microsoft Word.
• Copying and pasting text from one document to another.
• Receiving and sending emails with attachments.
• Downloading and opening attached files.
• Allow pop-ups from Moodle.
• Current Antivirus and Spyware protection.

Course Schedules

• Complete Casper College Summer 2010 Credit Class Schedule
  • Registration for Spring 2010 classes will begin March 1, 2010. Summer semester will run June 7 - July 31.
• Complete Casper College Spring 2010 Credit Class Schedule
  • Registration for Spring 2010 classes will begin November 13, 2009
  • Spring 2010 late start courses (last updated Jan 26, 2010)
• WyCLASS
  • Statewide Distance Education Course Offerings
• REGISTER TODAY!
  Go to WebAdvisor and register online for Casper College courses. You will need your WA username and pin. If you do not have one, please contact the Admissions office at 307-268-2207
• Tuition & Fee Information
  This page has the official information regarding current tution, fees (WICHE and WUE included), withwall and refunds. Students are classified as Wyoming Residents, WUE residents, or Out-of-state residents at the time of application for admission or time of registration.
  
  Students may request re-classification according to the Residency Petition Policy (http://www.caspercollege.edu/pdf/catalogue/admission_policies.pdf) by the end of the refund period each semester. Course fees are in addition to tuition and per-credit fees and are indicated with the course listing.
  
  CAUTION: Dropping courses or withdrawing from college may affect current and future financial aid rewards. It can also affect your eligibility to retain insurance coverage. Check your student status requirements to maintain your insurance policy. Students are responsible for charges incurred to the date of formal withdrawal.

Online Program Offerings

Our Distance Education Program is growing rapidly and fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. No matter what your major program is, it is likely that you could take at least a portion of your required courses by distance delivery. At present, it is possible to obtain the requirements for the following degrees through the distance education program:

• Associates degree in Agricultural Business
• Associates degree in General Studies
• Associates degree in Early Childhood Education
• Associates degree in Fire Science
• Associates degree in Medical Lab Technician (MLT)*
  *This is a hybrid program which requires 40 hours of lab work on campus in four sessions per semester.

Many courses in other degree programs are also offered via distance education:

English and Math Placement Information
	English Placement Brochure (pdf)
	English Course Placement Chart (pdf)
	Math Course Placement Chart (pdf)

On this page:
Non-degree seeking registration | Degree-seeking registration | Add/Drop/Withdraw | Refunds | Study Abroad I Additional Links

Delivery Methods

• Internet or online delivery: Courses (identified as N1 N2, etc) offered online or over the internet using Moodle as the learning management system.
• Telecourses delivery: Courses (identified as T1, T2, etc.) offered through television broadcast over the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) or by video tape or rental. If you do not have access to Wyoming PBS, you can lease a set of course tapes of the telecourse broadcasts from ACT, Inc.® or telephone 1-800-745-5480. Telecourse tapes can also be viewed at the Casper College Goodstein Foundation Library. In addition to general tuition, telecourse fees are generally assessed in addition to normal tuition to cover licensing costs. Please see a schedule of classes to determine the fee amount. It is recommended if you access the broadcasts from Wyoming PBS that you have a VCR to record and play back the broadcasts. Please note that telecourses also require an Internet component; check with your instructor for more information.
• Compressed video delivery: Courses (identified as C1, C2, etc.) are offered to remote sites through live video classrooms presentation over the Wyoming Equality Network (WEN).
• Hybrid delivery: Courses (usually identified as H1, H2, etc.) are offered through a variety of methods, such as internet, and include and on-campus participation.
  

Non-degree seeking student registration

If you have previously registered or taken classes at Casper College, go directly to WebAdvisor and register for classes.

Follow these steps to register for classes:

1. Select the classes you wish to enroll in using one of the course schedules as shown at the top of this web page.

2. Print off the registration form and return it to Admissions & Student Records
   - by Phone:  (307) 268-2207 or (800) 442-2963, ext. 2207
   - by Fax:  (307) 268-2611
   - by Mail: 
   Admissions & Student Records
   125 College Drive
   Casper, WY 82601
   - In Person:
   Administration Building 132
   
3. Make payment for classes to the Accounting and Financial Management Office by the due date. You may pay in full, or set up a payment plan. Payment can be received by credit card, cash or check.

**IMPORTANT**
Financial Assistance is not available for students registered in the Non-Degree seeking program.
BACK TO TOP

Degree-seeking student registration

If you are not a current Casper College student, please click here to apply for admission.

Follow these steps to register for classes:

1. Register
   Select the courses you want in consultation with your advisor and the course instructor. Register online using WebAdvisor and the access information provided by your advisor, or by phone (307) 268-2207 or (800) 442-2963, ext. 2207.  

2. Meet the requirements
   For the Internet you will need access to a reliable, virus-protected computer with an Internet connection. For local residents there are on-campus computer labs with fast internet connections available for you to use. Some browsers supplied by service providers, such as AOL, may not work well directly with our distance learning software. Switching to a different web browser after initially accessing the Internet with your service provider generally solves the problem.

Some Important Guidelines and Procedures

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Add/Drop/Withdrawal

A full semester course may be added during the first week of a semester, or dropped without record during the first 10 days of the semester, by presenting a properly executed change form to the Office of Admissions and Student Records.

A student may withdraw from a full semester course (regardless of the grade in the course at the time of withdrawal) by presenting a properly executed change form to the Office of Admissions and Student Records until two calendar weeks after the completion of mid-term examinations. 

A student may withdraw from school with grades of "W" in all courses (regardless of the grades in the courses at the time of withdrawal) until the end of the second calendar week after completion of mid-term examinations.

Note: Should the student's schedule include a less-than-full semester course, a "W" will be recorded for such a course only if the withdrawal occurs prior to the end of the first calendar week after the middle of the course. The procedure which must be followed to withdraw from school is as follows:

1. Obtain and complete a complete withdrawal form from the Office of Admissions and Student Records.
2. Obtain clearances from the dean of students, Student Financial Assistance and the Accounting and Financial Management Offices.
3. Submit the complete form to the Office of Admissions and Student Records. The official date of a complete withdrawal is the date on which the withdrawal form is accepted by the Admissions and Student Records Office.
4. Drop or withdrawal from the course(s) must occur by Friday, April 3, 2009.
   

Refunds

Refund of tuition and fees for dropped course(s) is calculated according the refund policy. See semester's class schedule for details of dates and percentage of refund.

Refunds will be calculated following the end of the refund period and refund checks will be mailed to the student by the Accounting and Financial Management office. If payment was made by credit card, credit will be issued to the credit card account.

For exceptions to the refund policy, students should submit a petition to the Office of Student Services. Petition forms are available in AD 112 or call (307) 268-2201 or (800) 442-2963, ext. 2201.

Independent Study Abroad Program

The Study Abroad Program at Casper College offers the opportunity to obtain college credit while traveling in Europe! Read the Footprints Fall 2008 news announcement by clicking on this link (PDF). For course offering information, please contact instructors directly. For more information about the program, including registration, go to the International Education page (http://www.caspercollege.edu/international_education/index.html)

• The Art and Architecture of the Renaissance and Baroque Era
  (mostly in southern Europe, particularly Italy)
  Contact: Valerie Innella (http://www.caspercollege.edu/directory/innella_valerie.html)
• Women’s Studies - “Gender and Context”
  (includes reading Victorian women’s travel journals)
  Contact: Georgia Wheatley (http://www.caspercollege.edu/directory/wheatley_georgia.html)
• Nursing
  (for health science students to study European health care delivery systems)
  Contact: Kelly Politte (http://www.caspercollege.edu/directory/politte_kelly.html)
• The Literary Landscape of Southern Europe
  (concentrates primarily on writers from the modernist movement)
  Contact: Terry Rassmussen (http://www.caspercollege.edu/directory/rasmussen_terry.html)

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Additional Important Links

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• WebAdvisor
• Admissions and Student Records
• Placement Tests
• Paying for College
• Academic Calendar
• Academic Testing Center

WyDEC 2010 Conference "The Scene of Engagement"

• Conference website
• Conference flyer

Moodle

Please remember that the recommended browser for Moodle is Mozilla Firefox. If you do not have Firefox installed, you can download it from http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ie.html.

• Start of semester checklist

Moodle Training

• Spring 2010 Moodle Track Trainings Schedule New!
  Classes offered at Center for Excellence - CC Campus - BU 126
• ITEC 2525 - Teaching Online with Moodle
  Offered online - Contact Dave Siemems for more information

Moodle Handouts for Instructors New!

• Get Started with Moodle
  Contains the basics of the HTML editor, course navigation, editing your course front page and adding resources
• Communication Tools
  Learn how to add forums, polls and chat sessions to your Moodle course
• Add Assignments
  Learn how add four different types of assignments to your Moodle course
• Create Quizzes
  Add assessments and exam questions to your Moodle courseS
• Upload Questions
  Easily convert questions from Microsoft Word and upload onto your Moodle course using the Aiken format
• Using Moodle Forums
• Backup and Restore Content
  Run Backup and Restore functions to move content in Moodle from one course to another
  
• Kaltura Part 1

Note: When moving content from one course to another, it is recommended to use the Backup / Restore process. Backup / Restore allows you to selectively bring content across (remember to unselect "User Data") and either add to or replace current course content in the target course. If you have any questions, feel free to call Dave Siemens or Ana Thompson in Distance Education.

Moodle Video Tutorials for Instructors New!

• Edit your profile tutorial

Other Moodle Resources for Instructors New!

• Moodle.org - The world-wide Moodle community site. Create a free account so you can browse resources, vote for new features and participate in discussions with other "Moodlers" around the world
• Moodle.org Demonstration Course Information - This links takes you to Moodle.org not Casper College Moodle4Me
• Faculty who are using Microsoft 2007, please click here

Please let Distance Education know if anything is unclear in the tutorials. Comments are appreciated so that future tutorials are comprehensive, accurate and useful.

Faculty Forms

Moodle Course Request Form New!
To request a meta (multi-section) course, a course for future development, or a course for the current semester, use this form.

Quality Matters

Quality Matters™ (QM™) is a self-supported organization that specializes in training and course reviews to produce effective distance learning courses.  Their core concepts are based on a nationally recognized course rubric that aims to produce “better than good enough” courses.   In a peer course review, course design and alignment are assessed to make sure all areas of the course “work together”.   Courses that are reviewed and receive the QM™ seal of approval meet 8 core competencies and get at least a B+ or 85% grade based on the QM™ Rubric.

Casper College along with the other higher education institutions in Wyoming are proud subscribers of QM™.  Quality Does Matter!

• Link to Quality matters Website
• Underlying Principles of Quality Matters (PDF)

Department of Education Course Definitions

• Online: 100% of coursework is delivered online
• Hybrid: combination of online and in-class instruction with reduced in-class seat time for students
• Web-enhanced: does not result in reduced in-class seat time

Faculty Resources for Distance Education

• Upcoming Conferences
• WebAdvisor for Faculty
• Faculty Office Hours
• Instructional Technology Council (ITC)
• Online Journal of Distance Learning Administration
• League for Innovation
• Sloan Consortium

Here are some common questions that are often asked – you will undoubtedly have more! One of the first rules to learn is to ASK QUESTIONS when you are confused or don’t fully understand something.

1. I have tried contacting (emailing, phoning, meeting, etc.) my instructor without any response. I am so frustrated that I want to drop the class. How should I contact them?

Notify (email)  the Chairperson of the Department your enrolled in and carbon copy (Cc) the Director of Distance Education, Ana Thompson so that she can document the problem and track results.

• Schools (Business and Industry; Fine Arts and Humanities; Health Science; Science; Social and Behavioral Sciences)

2. Who do I call about Moodle?

Contact DE Student Support at 1-800-442-2963 ext. 3882 or 307-268-3882.

3. I did not receive a letter about setting up my Web Account or any contact information, who do I talk to?

If you are a new distance learning student that has never been registered at Casper College, the Admissions Office will provide you with a WebAdvisor username and password: 1-800-442-2963 ext. 2458. This will be the same username and password you will use to log into Moodle courses.

4. What is my username and password?

There are five ways of identifying your username and password.

• Contact the Admissions office at 1-800-442-2963 ext. 2458
  or
• Contact the DoIT Service Desk at 1-800-442-2963 ext. 3648
  or
• Go to your WebAdvisor site and identify your WebAdvisor login and WebAdvisor Pin number.
  or
• Contact DE Student Support at 1-800-442-2963 ext. 3882
  or
• Email distance_ed@caspercollege.edu

5. When will my courses be on the site?

Spring 2010: Moodle classes will be open on 01/04/09. Once you are officially registered for a course, if it available in Moodle, you should see your course 1-2 business days after you are enrolled. If you do not see your course, please call DE Student Support 1-800-442-2963 ext 3882 or 307-268-3882.

6. Moodle is not accepting my login, etc. I have been into it before but am unable to get into it now and my assignment is due.

• First of all make sure you are using the correct username and password – remember your Moodle and WebAdvisor logins (username/ pin) are the same.
• Make sure you bookmark the Moodle4Me entry page.
• If you continue to experience problems contact, DE Student Support, 307-268-3882.

7. My class requires an access code. Where can I find this information?

Please contact your instructor or the Distance Education department.

8. What is the difference between Moodle and WebAdvisor?

Moodle is course management software, made to be an interface between you and the instructor. It is how you go to class over the internet. WebAdvisor is software used to register for classes and to access your grades. They use the same username and password information .