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Distance Education

Distance Education Courses provide busy individuals - with work, family, and other responsibilities - the opportunity to pursue their education in a way that suits their busy lifestyles.  Below you will find the types of courses Delaware Tech offers and the skills and technology requirements necessary to participate in distance courses. We invite you to explore your options and then discuss with your Program Advisor which is best for you!

Federal law requires Delaware Technical and Community College (the “College”) to provide distance education students with contact information for filing complaints with the agency of the state in which the student resides and receives instruction.

Skills Necessary for Success in Distance Education

Distance education require a greater level of self-direction than traditional classroom courses. Students aiming to succeed in online courses should be comfortable directing their own learning and possess the following skills:

  • Self-motivation to complete coursework
  • Discipline to stick to a schedule
  • Willingness to seek help
  • Determination to solve technology problems

Learn more about preparing for online courses.

Minimum Student Technology Requirements

To enroll in a distanced education course you must have access to a computer with the following minimum hardware and software requirements.

Computer Literacy
Students enrolling in a web conferencing, hybrid, or online course must be skillful technology users. In order to be successful in the course, students must have the ability to:

  • Correspond with faculty, staff, and other students via email (including sending attachments)
  • Create and save documents in Microsoft Office formats or equivalent
  • Create files and folders
  • Browse the internet, download utilities, install common plug-ins, and configure common browser options
  • Configure and run anti-virus software (updated regularly)
  • Navigate the internet with a web browser
  • Create hyperlinks and embed video

Recommended Hardware

  • A PC running a Microsoft Windows Operating System or Mac OS X with the operating system’s minimum requirements for processor, memory, and hard drive
  • At least 10.0 GB of free hard-drive space
  • 16-bit or greater video card (24-bit preferred)
  • Sound card with speakers
  • Headset with microphone may be required for some synchronous components of a course

Recommended Software

  • A Microsoft Windows® Operating System (XP, Vista, or Windows 7, Mac OS)
  • Microsoft Office 2003 or a more recent version or equivalent
  • A current antivirus and antispyware application that is updated regularly
  • The latest versions of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox
  • Up-to-date versions of Adobe Reader and Adobe Flash Player
  • Up-to-date version of Java

Internet Access

  • An Internet service provider (ISP)
  • A dedicated, reliable 512 kbps or faster Internet connection

Learning Management System