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Home / Information For Students / Resources for Distance Education

Resources for Distance Education

Objectives

This page is intended to provide information related to available resources for “on-line” or “distance learning” students.  In this context, “on-line” or “distance learning” students are students who primarily interact with UTPB using computer-based facilities.  These facilities might include the World Wide Web, electronic mail, Web CT and similar technologies.  

Computer Accounts

Currently enrolled students at UTPB receive a computer account.  This account is for the exclusive use of the student to whom the account is issued and provides access to a number of services.  These services include dial-up access, proxy server access and electronic mail.  Services to assist in managing your UTPB computer account can be found at:  

Click Here! 

Achieving Connectivity

Participation in on-line distance education requires that you have access to an appropriately equipped computer.  Specific requirements will vary from application to application.  Generally, you should have a computer system of adequate capacity, reasonably current software and a basic understanding of how to operate the hardware and software prior to undertaking an on-line course.

One of the first priorities for an on-line learner should be the establishment of a reliable connection to the global computer network called the Internet.  This connection should be of sufficient reliability and speed to provide a responsive connection to available resources.  Internet access can be achieved through UTPB or through a number of Internet Service Providers (ISP’s).  The speed of your connection (sometimes called the connection “bandwidth”) is almost always an issue.  Generally, the higher the connection speed the better.  Unfortunately, higher speeds also have higher associated costs.  Most users find a connection speed of 19,200 bits per second (usually written 19.2Kbps or simply 19.2K) to be just barely fast enough for most basic applications.  More acceptable speeds are 38K and 56K.  The speed you can achieve depends on the capability of your system, on the communication channel you are using and on your ISP.  Typically a device in your computer called a modem determines the maximum speed available for your connection.  Note, however, that when using a dial-up connection over traditional voice-grade phone lines, the maximum connection speed is negotiated between the computers based on the particular circuit in place for the specific call.  In other words, using a 56K modem at each end of the connection doesn’t guarantee that a 56K connection will be achieved on any particular call.  

Specific software requirements for your system may vary depending on the specifics of your situation.  However, a graphical web browser will be a basic requirement for almost everyone.  This piece of software allows you to “surf” the Internet using the “language” of the Web.  Information related to the two most popular browsers can be found at:  

http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/

                        http://www.microsoft.com/windows/ie/default.htm  

Commercial ISPs

Any number of commercial Internet Service Providers (ISP’s) are available.  These services might be attractive to you if the UTPB dial-up number is a toll (long distance) call from your location.  The commercial ISPs provide a variety of connection options and a variety of pricing options.  Using a commercial ISP to access UTPB and Telecampus resources is a perfectly valid approach with some specific advantages.  Large ISPs may offer “local call” access from a large number of locations.  This may be important to you if you need to access on-line resources from a number of different geographic locations.  Large ISPs may also provide value-added services in addition to standard Internet connectivity.  These service packages such as on-line shopping, news, chat and other services may have some attractive attributes for some users.  Disadvantages associated with the use of commercial ISPs include cost and some issues related to licensed resource access as discussed below.  Detailed instructions for setting up your computer to use a particular ISP will be provided by the ISP.  UTPB does not endorse or recommend any particular ISP.  Information about some typical ISPs is available at:  

http://www.cableone.net/	http://shop.sprint.com/residential/voiceservices/welcome/index.jsp
http://public.swbell.net/	http://www.gte.net/

Resources  

Once a reliable connection scheme with adequate speed has been achieved, the connection can be used to access a huge collection of on-line information resources.  These resources generally fall into one of two categories.  The resources are either unrestricted and available to anyone or the resources are restricted to specific users.   

Unrestricted Resources

Unrestricted resources are available to the general public and can be accessed through the UTPB dial-up Internet connection or though the services of a commercial ISP.  These resources generally require no authentication and are equally accessible from either connection scheme.  

Restricted Resources

Some resources have restricted access.  Typically, on-line resources such as commercial abstract databases, knowledge bases for specific topics, full-text periodical services and similar resources have restricted access.  These restrictions are used to insure that the provider of the information is appropriately reimbursed for access to the product and to insure that the resource is available for UTPB students.  Restricted resources may utilize a variety of protection schemes to insure only authorized users achieve access.  The most common access control schemes rely on Username/Password authentication or on a scheme called source IP address restriction.  Resources which rely on source IP address restriction require some special consideration when being accessed through an ISP.  In particular, you may be required to use the services of a device called a Proxy Server in order to access source IP-protected resources when using a connection provided through an ISP.  This is not a requirement when using the UTPB dial-up connection scheme to access UTPB resources.  You may be required to use Proxy Server services when accessing certain UT Telecampus resources regardless of your connection method.  

 

Resource Providers

The huge amount of information available “on-line” presents a number of challenges for the distance learner.  In particular, restricted resources from different providers may utilize different security measures and may require different access methods.  Most UTPB students will utilize resources provided through UTPB or through the UT Telecampus.   

For additional information about resources available through UTPB see:

http://www.utpb.edu/library/alphabetical_list.html

For additional information about resources available through the UT Telecampus see:

http://www.telecampus.utsystem.edu/

Additional Information

Additional information about these topics can be located at the links listed below:

                        Web Course Information

                        On-Line Course Frequently Asked Questions