Amridge University is one of the nation's
leading universities offering distance learning programs and services
to adults. The designation as a Distance Education Demonstration
Program Institution by the U.S. Department of Education adds to its
prestige. Being one of fifteen initial participants in the nation,
Amridge University, along with the U.S. Department of Education, serves as a national
model that will chart the future of distance learning.
The Distance Learning Program is a
delivery system which brings the classroom to the student.
Traditional instruction is combined with modern day technology to
extend educational opportunity beyond the walls of Amridge University. This delivery system offers students who live outside
commuting distance or who have inflexible work schedules the
opportunity to take courses at their convenience.
Utilizing state of the art technologies, Amridge University's distance learning
programs are delivered to students over the Internet. Students
participate via online discussion groups, testing, email, and
toll-free telephone. Some courses are streamed live and are viewed
over the Internet as the class is being taught, or at the student's
convenience. The flexibility of the programs allows the class to
follow students in transit (e.g., military, clergy, salesmen, and
others who must move while still in school).
For students who are unable to view
live-streamed courses at the time they are being taught, the videos
are archived enabling them to view the class at their convenience.
Distance Learning students must
demonstrate that they have attended class. This is normally done via
a weekly quiz that is administered online. Through the weekly
quizzes, instructors are able to ascertain whether or not the student
participated in the class as the student is required to answer
questions based upon the content of the class.
Distance Learning students must maintain
the same pace as on-campus students. Homework assignments and
research papers must be submitted to the professor as scheduled, and
exams must be taken at the designated time.
Library resources are made available
through libraries in the student’s local area, mailed to them from
Amridge University’s library or may be obtained online
through First Search and ProQuest Religion Database. These online
programs give students access to 65 online databases, including the
Library of Congress and contain indexes, abstracts, and journal
articles. Students can view the catalog of available resources from
Amridge University online. They have access to the
collections of 150 theological schools. By these means, the
educational experience of Distance Learning students is nearly
identical to that of on-campus students.
Some classroom instruction is
professionally videotaped by state-of-the-art production technology.
Each classroom is equipped with one or more cameras, which are
operated from a central control room. The cameras pan and zoom to
capture classroom activity. Stationary ceiling microphones provide
quality sound reproduction for both students and instructors.
Document cameras are used when an instructor has visual objects to
present in class. Students in the classroom can view what is being
recorded through a large monitor.
The videotapes are digitized and
transmitted to Distance Learning students over the Internet.
The Distance Learning Program was reviewed
by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools and was fully approved as an integral part of the
University's regular undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Distance learning students have all of the
same rights and privileges as on-campus students, receive the same
quality of instruction, and are awarded the same diplomas. The
academic transcripts give no indication of whether classes were taken
on-campus or by Distance learning.
GOALS OF THE DISTANCE
LEARNING PROGRAM
The goals of the Distance Learning Program
are to:
·
Meet the educational needs of
working adult students who are unable to attend classes on campus
because of distance, employment obligations, or family
responsibilities;
·
Strengthen the organizations and
churches in various locations by upgrading the effectiveness of their
leadership, communication, and spirituality;
·
Promote quality education and
international evangelism and enrich the lives of individuals and
families through instruction in the Bible and related areas.
THE DISTANCE LEARNING
PROGRAM IS NOT A CORRESPONDENCE PROGRAM
The Distance Learning Program is an
innovative instructional delivery system which is very different from
correspondence courses and has many advantages over them. In general,
correspondence courses are designed for self-instruction by the
student and are typically set up to be administered by the clerical
staff of the institution without significant interaction between the
instructor who designed the course and the student. By contrast, the
Distance Learning Program has all the characteristics of live
classroom instruction except that the Distance Learning student
participates in class sessions from a distance and participates in
discussions from a distance. The student is still an integral part of
the class.
CHARACTERISTICS OF
Amridge University
DISTANCE LEARNING COURSES
-
Academic standards are identical to
on-campus standards;
-
Applicants must meet all the same
qualifications and requirements as on-campus students;
-
Students may register only for the
courses which are being taught in the current semester;
-
Distance Learning students must follow
the same registration and academic procedures as on-campus students;
-
Objectives and assignments for each
class session are listed in the syllabus, including dates for exams
and deadlines for papers and other projects, and are enforced just
as for on-campus students;
-
Courses consist of classroom instruction
and rigorous course assignments, including lectures, class
discussions, and research papers;
-
All courses are set up on a fifteen-week
semester;
-
Classroom instruction is not edited and
is not "canned." Distance Learning students are called by name in
the classroom, and instruction is adjusted to respond to their
questions and to meet their needs and special interests. In some
cases students submit video presentations to be dubbed into the
class tapes;
-
Students are informed of the
instructor's office hours and encouraged to call him or her by
toll-free telephone to ask questions, discuss assignments, or make
comments. Students may also write questions or send emails to the
instructor or other classmates;
-
Distance Learning students have the same
schedule, same assignments, and take the same exams at the time as
on-campus students;
-
Distance Learning students are graded on
the same assignments and on the same scale as on-campus students;
and
-
Distance Learning students are provided
the same access to Amridge University Library resources
as are those who come to campus.
STATEMENT ON COPYING
Amridge University CLASS SESSIONS
Copying or other use of Amridge University Distance
Learning courses or course materials is strictly prohibited. Federal
law provides severe civil and criminal penalty for the unauthorized
reproduction, distribution, or exhibition of copyrighted motion
pictures, video tapes, or laser video discs. All rights are reserved
by Amridge University. Copyright pending.
COMPUTER LITERACY FOR
DISTANCE LEARNING STUDENTS
In order to be admitted to Amridge
University distance
learning programs, students are expected to possess sufficient
computer skills to use the basic typing, editing, and printing
functions of a word-processing package such as Microsoft Word.
Also, students are expected to posses the necessary skills to connect
to the Internet using a web browser such as Microsoft Internet
Explorer, maneuver between web pages, know how to search for
and upload and download computer files and send and receive email via
the Internet.
Individuals not sure if they have these
skills or want additional-related information should contact the
Amridge University
Admission Office.
INTERNET ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY
All Amridge University students are required to have
regular access to the Internet via a dial-up connection or broadband
connection. As a minimum, the Amridge University distance learning portal may be
accessed through a dial-up connection of at least 56Kv90.
Although a dial-up connection will work,
Amridge University
strongly recommends that a broader-band connection be used such as DSL
or cable modem to take full advantage of the Amridge University streamed audio and
video used in some of the courses. Generally, DSL,
cable modem, or other broadband services will cost more than dial-up
but the quality of the audio and video signals are superior when used
with the proper computer system and can significantly enhance the
student’s learning experience.
EMAIL ACCOUNTS
All Amridge University students are required to
have valid and working email addresses. It is the student’s
responsibility to notify Amridge University when his or her email address changes,
within two days of said change. The notification may be sent via
email to:
emailaddresschange@amridgeuniversity.edu.
Please include your full name, student
identification number, old email address, and new email address in the
message.
CHECKING EMAIL DAILY
Students must check their email accounts
daily for messages from their instructors or other University
personnel and make certain that their mail boxes are not full and
rejecting incoming messages.
ACCEPTABLE USE OF
THE UNIVERSITY NETWORK, INTERNET, ON-LINE COURSE SYSTEM, AND E-MAIL
As a leader in distance learning
initiatives, Amridge University has established a
comprehensive, state-of-the-art network, and distance learning portal
linked to the World-Wide Web (Internet). Through these systems
(hereafter referred to as the Intranet), University faculty, and
personnel are able to conduct education and business services directly
linked to the purposes and mission of Amridge University.
The Internet is an electronic highway
connecting millions of computers all over the world and millions of
individual subscribers. Through this access to computers and people
all over the world also comes the availability of material that may
not be considered to be of educational value in the context of an
institution of higher education let alone an institution built upon
Christian values and beliefs. As a result, Intranet users at
Amridge University are to use the system for University business in
a manner that supports efficient, ethical, and legal utilization of
the system resources. The remaining portions of this section include
the provisions of acceptable use of the University’s Intranet
resources. Any University employee or student violating any of these
provisions may be subject to loss of Intranet privileges and subject
to other disciplinary actions that could include termination of
employment if an employee and expulsion if a student with the
University.
1.
Acceptable Use—The
use of the Intranet must be in support of educational and academic
research and consistent with the educational objectives of Amridge
University. Transmission of any material in violation of
any U. S. or other pertinent regulation is prohibited. This includes,
but is not limited to, threatening or obscene material or material
protected by trade secret. Illegal activities are strictly
prohibited. Using Intranet accounts to play games is not acceptable
use.
2.
Privileges
- The use of the University’s Intranet is a privilege, not a right,
and inappropriate use can result in a cancellation of those
privileges. Based upon the acceptable use guidelines outlined within
these provisions, the system administrators will deem what is
inappropriate use of the network and take appropriate action. The
system administrators or system administrator may suspend or close a
student account at any time as required. They must notify the user in
writing within two days of the reason for suspension or termination of
an account. Also, users must remain in good standing with
Amridge University (e.g., currently enrolled student, currently
enrolled students in good academic standing, current employee, etc.).
Users whose accounts are denied, suspended or revoked do have the
following rights:
·
To request (in writing) from the
system administrator a written statement justifying the actions.
·
To request a hearing through the
appropriate University due process procedures.
3.
Netiquette
- Users are expected to abide by the generally accepted rules of the
Intranet etiquette. These include (but are not limited to) the
following:
·
Be polite. Do not write or send
abusive messages to others.
·
Use appropriate language. Do not
swear, or use vulgarities or any other inappropriate or offensive
language.
·
Do not reveal your account name and
password to others.
·
Note that electronic mail (email)
is not guaranteed to be private. System administrators and staff who
operate the system do have access to all email. Messages relating to
or in support of illegal activities may be reported to the
authorities. Do not use the Intranet in such a way that you would
disrupt the use of the Intranet by other users (e.g. downloading large
files during prime time; sending mass email messages; annoying other
users using the talk or write functions),
4.
Reliability
- Amridge University makes no warranties of any kind,
whether expressed or implied, for the service it is providing or
related services provided by contracted service providers. The
University will not be responsible for any damages employees or
students suffer from use of the Intranet. This includes loss of data
resulting from delays, non-deliveries, misdeliveries, or service
interruptions caused by its own negligence or other errors or
omissions.
5.
Security
- Security on any computer system is a high priority, especially when
the system involves many users. If a student or employee believes he
or she can identify a security problem on the Intranet, he or she
should notify a system administrator to help identify and resolve any
associated problems. Students and employees should not give their
passwords to any other individual. Attempts to log in to the system
as any other user may result in cancellation of user privileges.
Attempts by non-systems administrators to log in to the system as a
system administrator or other system staff will result in cancellation
of user privileges. Any user identified as a security risk or having
a history of problems with other computer systems may be denied access
to the system and subject to other disciplinary actions that could
include termination of employment at the University or expulsion of a
student.
6.
Vandalism -
Vandalism may result in cancellation of privileges and other
disciplinary actions that could include termination of employment from
the University or expulsion if a student. Vandalism is defined as any
attempt to harm or destroy data of another user, the Intranet, or
other networks that are connected to the system or the
Internet backbone. This includes, but is not limited to, knowingly
uploading or creating computer viruses or changing the settings or
operating environment of the system’s servers used to access the
Intranet. Also, unauthorized copying or downloading of University
purchased or developed software, videos, or audio and other
proprietary computer data and files are strictly prohibited.
COMPUTER REQUIREMENTS
As a minimum, the following computer
requirements are recommended for working through the Amridge
University distance
learning programs and courses:
·
Personal Computers (PCs)
§
Processor:....................... Pentium
III 400 MHz or higher
§
RAM:................................ 128MB
§
Hard Drive:....................... 9GB
§
CDROM:.......................... 24x-40x
§ Floppy
Disk Drive:............120MB Super Disk that uses 1.4MB
standard 3.5” diskette in
addition to the
120MB diskettes
§
Monitor:............................ 17”
SVGA color
§
Modem:............................ 56Kv90
(replace with network card and
DSL switch or cable modem if
not using
dial-up access to the
Internet.
Remember, it is recommended
that
students use a DSL or cable
modem
Internet connection if
possible.)
§
Graphics Card:................ 8MB
§
Sound Card:.....................
SoundBlaster or compatible
§
Speakers:.........................
Internal or external
§
Printer..............................
Color ink jet
§
Operating System:........... Windows 2000
or higher
·
Macintosh Computers
§
Processor:....................... PowerPC
G3 or higher
§
RAM:................................ 64MB
§
Hard Drive:....................... 9GB
§
CDROM:.......................... 24x-40x
§
Floppy Disk Drive:............ 1.44MB
§
Monitor:............................ 15”
SVGA color
§
Modem:............................ 56K
(replace with network card and
DSL switch or cable modem if
not using
dial-up access to the
Internet.
Remember, it is recommended
that
students use a DSL or cable
modem
Internet connection if
possible.
§
Graphics Card:................ 2MB
§
Sound Card:.....................
SoundBlaster or compatible
§
Speakers:.........................
Internal or external
§
Printer..............................
Color ink jet
§
Operating System:...........
OS 8.1 or higher
REQUIRED COMPUTER SOFTWARE
Amridge University recommends several key computer
software packages for student use. Most of these software packages
can be purchased at any computer store and can even be included in the
purchase of a new computer. These recommended computer software
packages include the following:
-
Latest edition of Microsoft Office
that should include Microsoft Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, and
Outlook.
-
Latest edition of Adobe
Acrobat Reader. Visit the Amridge University web site for a link to the
Adobe web site where you can download a free version of the
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
-
Latest edition of the Microsoft
Internet Explorer. Although the Netscape web
browser will work, we find that the Microsoft Internet
Explorer is best for our web site and distance learning
portal.
-
Latest edition of RealOne
Player. Visit the Amridge University web site for a link to the RealNetworks web site where you can download a free version of the
RealOne Player.
KEEPING YOUR COMPUTER IN TOP WORKING ORDER AND
OBTAINING AND INSTALLING VENDOR SOFTWARE UPDATES
Because your computer will be a major
learning tool, it is important that you keep you computer in good
working condition. Following a few simple practices can help ensure
that your computer will be in good working condition so that you can
have the best learning experience possible. As a very minimum, the
following recommendations should be considered:
-
Use, and keep updated, virus protection
software.
-
If you use DSL or a cable modem, then
use a firewall. There are many inexpensive hardware and software
versions of firewalls that will be effective in keeping out unwanted
computer intruders.
-
Clean your hard drive regularly and
delete unneeded temporary files with “.tmp” extensions.
-
Obtain and install operating system
updates regularly.
-
Obtain and install program software
updates regularly.
-
Clean your computer screen and keyboard
regularly with industry approved cleaners that may be purchased at
almost any office supply store.
-
Purchase a backup tape system for your
computer and backup your computer files regularly. Store the backup
tapes at a safe and secure location.
