Get Answers

Frequently Asked Questions
We've got all the answers.

1. What are Video-based courses?

A video-based course, is a college-level, instructionally sound distance learning course comprised of videos, textbook, student guide, faculty guide, testbanks and online components (a complete courseware package).

The Dallas County Community College District produced its first telecourse, American Government, in 1972 and enrolled 399 students in that first offering.

Dallas TeleLearning is one of the leading producers of distance learning courseware. Several of these courses are among the top ten in use by U.S. colleges.

Internationally, Dallas TeleLearning courses are used in many countries around the world. Also, these courses are widely used by the U.S. Armed Forces and on military ships around the world.

2. How are Dallas courses produced?

At Dallas TeleLearning, the academic integrity of our product is ensured through a multi-stage process and painstaking cooperation among the project director, media producer, faculty content specialist, and instructional designer, with input from local and national faculty advisory committees.

The multi-stage process begins with:

The project delineation, including a needs analysis, and identification of funding sources and personnel.
The establishment of the basic design, conceptual base, and video/media framework.
The first draft of the project budget and the project production timeline.

The second stage, pre-production, includes:

Coordination of the national and local committees in refining goals and approving course scope, goals, and design.
Content development, in which preliminary course goals and the course outline are established.
Meetings of the national and local committees to refine goals, approve course scope, goals, and design, identify the textbook, determine the scope of the course study guide, and develop a prototype lesson.
Script development.
Finalization of the project budget and production timeline.
Identification of on-camera talent and filming locations.
Establishment of pre-travel plans.

The third stage, production, requires location videotaping, creation of sound tracks, and the development of other media and music for the series.

In post-production:

The videotape is prepared for editing.
Interview segments are edited in house.
Final assembly of programs is completed.
Other media are completed.
Student and faculty guides are completed.
Each element is reviewed by the content specialist, the producer, the project director, and the director of the LeCroy Center. Following all approvals, the videotapes and media are copied and distributed.

3. How does distance learning technology open doors to education, training, and information?

In searching for solutions to many pressing educational needs such as access, equity, excellence, and funding, educators worldwide have expanded their course offerings with distance learning programs. Distance learning is an instructional option that eliminates barriers to education. across the nation and around the world. Learners from diverse backgrounds and geographic locations can be exposed to the best in instructional materials, instructors, and creative methodologies.

Distance learning delivers knowledge to those who need it. Its convenience, cost-effectiveness, flexibility, and responsiveness allow learners in any environment to access information that can be applied directly to social, educational, or work dynamics. Distance learning is an excellent tool for sharing knowledge. And with knowledge, learners worldwide can move forward.

4. What is STARLINK®?

Since its inception in 1989, STARLINK is recognized as one of the most experienced training networks in the country. The State of Texas Academic Resource Link (STARLINK®) uses technology to train educators and overcome barriers of time, cost, convenience, and geography. The satellite and web-based technologies that have been successfully demonstrated by this network open new approaches to adult learning and training.

Managed by the Dallas County Community College District, STARLINK® is a satellite-based teleconference training network that is an agency of the Texas Association of Community Colleges and serves as a vital link in the educational telecommunications systems supporting Texas community and technical colleges.

5. How can I obtain information about distance learning?