This page gives general information on my distance courses, and attempts to answer questions students initially have about the approach used in these courses.
The Nature of the Course
The course is asynchronous (meaning 'not synchronized') so there are no regularly scheduled classes. You need not come to the VHCC campus, though you do need to arrange proctoring for your tests (most colleges and community colleges offer this service through their testing centers). There is a link to much more information later in this message.
You will need access to a Windows-compatible computer to do your work for this course. The computer needs to have access to the Internet, and it requires a standard CD or DVD drive.
Your course is normally offered three times a year, once each during the Fall and Spring semesters and once during the Full Term of the Summer session. Most courses are not available for short sessions, due to the extended time necessary for course content to 'sink in'; however in certain cases exceptions to this policy may be considered.
I fully expect that the course will be offer during the upcoming term. Enrollment does not affect whether the course is offered.
Please see the information below for more specifics on the course, the registration process, etc.. This information is updated for each new semester not later than 1 week prior to registration. Some of this information will be subject to update prior to the beginning of the term.
For more specific information
You can obtain up-to-date information about the nature of your course, registration and startup for the course at http://www.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/. You should click on the links to Registration and Preliminary Information on Courses, both included near the top of the page, and you should thoroughly read all the information provided that is relevant to the course in which you are interested.
This information been updated for the present term, and will be updated for the upcoming term prior to the beginning of that term. I hope to have the Orientation further streamlined for the upcoming semester, and to make some changes in the testing procedures; however course content and coverage will not change, nor will the need to have tests proctored at an acceptable site, and the overall approach to the course should not change substantially. The site will keep you updated on the status of revisions.
Startup and Orientation: If you have completed registration for your course you should do the following:
Go to the page http://www.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/startup_and_orientation.htm and read the very first message, which gives you direct links to Step 1 and Step 2 of the Orientation. You should complete these steps now. This normally takes between 5 and 15 minutes.
You should bookmark for future reference the page http://www.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/startup_and_orientation.htm , which has instructions that will lead you to an orientation to this particular course and instructions for getting started in your course. This page will be updated for the upcoming term prior to the beginning of that term. If you wish to get an early start, email the instructor.
Registration information
Our online registration might not allow you to register without my intervention: VHCC registration is done online. The online registration system frequently does not allow students to register for certain courses. If you attempt to register and are the system will not register you, you will have to get me the appropriate information; it is recommended that if this occurs you use the Enrollment Request Form.
That link is also provided at http://www.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/Registration.htm. This page describes the registration process in more detail. By using the Enrollment Request Form you will ensure that all necessary information has been provided so that, provided you have the appropriate prerequisites, I will be able to request your registration. If you have difficulty with accessing or using this form, you may email me and describe your difficulty. If you submit the form and I do not respond by email within 2 days, you should email me and should also resubmit the form.
Application and Schedule for Registration
Dates for registration and the beginning of classes are available on the VHCC schedule, which is posted at www.vhcc.edu at least two months prior to the beginning of each term. Pre-registration is available to currently enrolled VHCC students near the end of the current semester. If questions remain regarding the registration process you can contact our Admissions Office (276-739-2400, ask for Admissions. If you have not previously taken VHCC classes you will need to submit an application as instructed in the Schedule and on the homepage (look under Admissions). I do recommend that you complete the admissions process as early as possible.
Additional details are provided at the link mentioned above.
Textbook Information If you follow the instructions at the links given above you should locate textbook information. However that information is frequently requested by students so I'm including specific instructions here:
Textbook information is posted at Textbook Information .
You will also need CDs or DVDs, which are listed at CDs and DVDs .
Testing
Testing must be proctored. The Virginia Community College System and our accrediting agency require this. It is up to the student to locate an approved proctor. Most colleges and community colleges have a testing service, though some do charge for the service, and the testing center of any accredited institution of higher learning is automatically approved. Other arrangements are sometimes possible (e.g., military personnel have had tests proctored by officers not under their command), but arrangements with testing centers are usually easiest to set up and the most likely to be approved.
For more detail on testing see Testing Information.
Physics Lab Kits
This is applicable to physics students only. Be sure to see information on lab materials and costs at lab kit info.
If you have additional questions please contact the instructor; if you have your access code then you should contact the instructor using the Submit Work Form; if the matter is urgent or if you do not yet have your access code then you may in addition use the instructor's email address dsmith@vhcc.edu . In order to get the best possible reply, all questions should include as much detail as possible. If a question concerns an instruction, you should include a copy of the instruction and as much detail as possible about what you are doing to follow it, what does wrong, and the addresses of any web pages involved in the process as well as any error codes that might occur.