TELECOURSES
(Public Broadcast or Video Tape)
Last update: 3/26/08

COURSE SCHEDULES

Spring 2008   Summer 2008   Fall 2008

TELECOURSES consist of a series of video programs, usually one hour per week, that are broadcast two or three times each week on Comcast Cable (except as noted on the Course List). A limited number of telecourses are also broadcast on WKNO and will be so noted on the video schedule. Other materials used with the videos include textbooks, study guides, and, in some cases, supplemental print resources. Students work independently through course materials and may attend optional discussion sessions led by the instructor. The instructor may also have an orientation session during the first two weeks of class.

Students taking a telecourse must have access to a television and must be able to receive the programs broadcast on Comcast Cable or be able to play them on a VCR. The programs will not be available through any satellite dish provider.

Telecourse General Information
Telecourse Program Viewing
Telecourse Course Materials
Telecourse Meetings and Tests

TELECOURSE GENERAL INFORMATION

The Distance Education program at The University of Memphis provides an opportunity to pursue course work utilizing the telecourse format. You will have a syllabus detailing the text(s) required, assignments, tests, etc. The syllabi are linked to the course ID on the current semester list of telecourses. Your success in this type of course will be enhanced if you:

· Are goal-oriented and self-directed
· Know how to learn independently
· Have prerequisite skills, such as reading and writing on the collegiate level
· Have the appropriate computer knowledge, skills and equipment
· Attend course orientation
· Begin course activities within the first week of semester
· Set aside specific time on a routine basis for study
· Contact the instructor promptly when you have questions

Electronic mail or e-mail is now an official means of written communication for all students, faculty, and staff at the University. Students are responsible for any information sent to this account; therefore, it should be checked daily. It is important that you immediately adopt one of the following options:

1) Activate and use your @memphis.edu e-mail account which is available to you anytime via the Web at https://ummail.memphis.edu/  For more information about your @memphis.edu e-mail account, please check the University's home page, visit Ask TOM or call the IS Helpdesk at 678-8888.

2) If you wish to use an alternative e-mail account (i.e., AOL, Comcast, Yahoo, etc.), it is your, it is your responsibility to forward your @memphis.edu e-mail to your preferred e-mail account. To forward your @memphis.edu e-mail to your preferred account, you must use the University's ID management website: http://iam.memphis.edu

Your course syllabus will indicate the means and the deadlines for submitting your course work. It varies depending upon the particular instructor's preference but most will deduct points or a letter grade for late submissions. Your coursework should have a cover page that includes at least the course name and number, assignment title and/or number, instructor name, date, and your name. You should keep a copy of all work submitted. (back)

TELECOURSE PROGRAM VIEWING

It is the student's responsibility to make certain that he/she has access to the appropriate programming. The programs are not available from satellite dish providers. The video programs for each course (except as noted below) air on Comcast Cablevision two or three times each week (broadcast schedule). If there are problems with the broadcast schedule, call Cablevision's programming department at 259-1419, and notify the Distance Education Office the following day. Comcast Cable's coverage area includes Shelby County (except Millington) and surrounding counties in Tennessee, Arkansas and Mississippi (call the programming department if you have questions about your coverage area). You may locate your program on the following:

Channel 5 for cable-ready
Channel 21 for digital

A limited number of course programs also air on WKNO (all times will be AM). Please refer to your syllabus for the specific schedule for the course in which you are enrolled. NOTE: There are a few telecourses (ANTH 3242, ENGL 2202, UNIV 3539 and UNIV 3549) for which broadcast rights are not available; therefore, the viewing options will be limited to tape rental, Internet streaming, or viewing in the McWherter Library.

As digital rights become available, streaming video over the Internet will be available through a web-based course management system, eCourseware. This option is currently available for ANTH 3242, COMM 1851, JOUR 1700, SOCI 1111, SOCI 3311, SOCI 4541, UNIV 3519, UNIV 3522, UNIV 3526, UNIV 3539, UNIV 3549, UNIV 4506, and UNIV 4527. See "Course Materials" below for instructions regarding eCourseware access.

Video rental for home viewing (except ENGL 2202) is available through ACT, Inc. Orders may be placed by toll-free voice 800-745-5480, toll-free fax 800-755-6910, or on-line at: http://www.actmedia.org The cost is a nonrefundable $35 - $55 per course, plus shipping and handling for VHS, DVD and CD-ROM rentals. ACT offers all telecourses on videocassette and offers a select number of titles on CD-ROM, DVD or streamed over the Internet. Starting in January 2007, a select number of titles will be available for download into Windows-compatible PDAs, iPODs, and other MP4 players. Please check ACT's website or http://www.actmedia.org/tcrp/sc_faq.shtml for information about the options, system requirements and the courses available. In addition, Annenberg Media offers video on demand (broadband only) for some of these telecourses. Please check their website at http://www.learner.org/view_programs/view.programs.html for information regarding this option.

Tapes are available in the Reserve Room of the McWherter Library for viewing in the library. Limited quantities of the videotapes for those courses that aren't being broadcast and aren't available for rental from ACT, Inc. will be available for short-term checkout and/or viewing in the library. Videotapes will be made available in the library at Jackson State Community College and/or Dyersburg State Community College and at University off-campus centers as needed. Please contact the Distance Education Office to verify tape availability at off-campus locations when you register. This will provide sufficient time to make copies if the tapes are not already at the site near you. (back)

TELECOURSE COURSE MATERIALS

Most telecourses require at least a textbook and a telecourse study guide and some may require additional supplemental materials. All required course materials will be listed in the course syllabus which will be available in the web-based course management system, eCourseware, (see instructions below for accessing). It is the student's responsibility to access this information and not wait until weeks into the semester to determine course requirements.

The text(s) will be available for purchase through the University of Memphis Bookstore. Be certain that you purchase the materials for the correct section since these are most likely not the same as the on-campus sections of the same course. Orders may be placed by phone at 901-678-2011 or 901-678-2045 or by email to bksmemphis@bncollege.com. See the Bookstore web site at http://umemphis.bkstore.com/ for information about placing orders and delivery.

Some instructors may also utilize eCourseware for additional course material and/or submission of course assignments. The course site is typically ready at the end of the week prior to the first day of classes and is accessible at: https://elearn.memphis.edu/ . Follow the directions under "Student Getting Started Checklist" to prepare your browser, learn how to log on, and how to use eCourseware. (back)

TELECOURSE MEETINGS/TESTS

Class attendance for on-campus courses may be used in computing grades at the discretion of the instructor. In the Distance Education program, class meetings are kept to a minimum and in most cases are optional. Students who do not attend courses are responsible for processing an official withdrawal in order to avoid fee or grade liability. Important semester dates and deadlines, final exam schedules, and the academic calendar can be found at: http://enrollment.memphis.edu/REGISTRAR/calendars/calendar.htm

Faculty will check and report non-attendance for compliance with federal financial aid guidelines to the Office of the Registrar but these students will not be removed from the roles for non-attendance. However, it is very important that you attend the orientation session for each Distance Education course in which you are enrolled if possible. If you cannot attend, it is your responsibility to contact your instructor at the beginning of the semester so that he/she knows of your intent to participate in the class.

Some courses require that exams be taken on campus while others have take-home or online exams. If you are unable to take exams on campus, you may request test administration at an off-campus location by completing the request form. If you have a conflict with test days and/or times, please contact your instructor to make alternative arrangements. (back)

Form: Request for Test Administration at Off-Campus Location

COURSE SCHEDULES

Spring 2008   Summer 2008   Fall 2008

Questions regarding Teleweb and/or Telecourses offered at the University of Memphis should be directed to Shelia Owens via e-mail or via phone at 678-3807