Welcome to ACCESS Distance Learning

Vision: The State of Alabama will provide equal access to high quality instruction to improve student achievement through distance learning.

ACCESS is available to all Alabama public high school students.

 Rigorous Web-based and Interactive Videoconferencing (IVC) courses are taught by Alabama certified and highly qualified teachers.  

Why take an ACCESS Course? Students use ACCESS courses for Scheduling conflicts, take a course not offered face to face (including Advanced Placement Courses), make up a missed credit or try a different style of learning, improve your technology skills and other reasons.

ACCESS is an Online Experience of a Lifetime

Am I a good candidate for an ACCESS class? Successful online students possess identifiable qualities.  The most important qualities would include self-discipline and self-motivation.  Initially, the online learning process may appear to operate at an accelerated pace.  This will require commitment on part of the student to stay up with the class and complete all of the work on time.  Once a student gets behind, it is very difficult to catch up.  

Here are some characteristics of successful online learners: are self-motivated and self-disciplined stay on task without direct supervision like to figure things out without direct assistance prioritize workload effectively can successfully work alone are good at assessing their own progress like working with computers and software programs enjoy the challenge of working with new technology  are good at following instructions  use email and can create messages with attached files  can download and install programs from the Internet  can search the Web  can copy and paste from one program to another  rarely procrastinate  enjoy communicating in writing and reading the writing of others  work with others to complete projects  seek assistance when problems arise  take an active role in the learning process Do not disregard the importance of the qualities listed above; they will determine your success. 

Will I be online the same time as my teacher? No. Students 'attend' class during the time that best fits the schedule at their home school, in an ACCESS lab. Even though you have time during the school day to work on your virtual course, you may need to access the course outside of regular school hours for homework. When you log in to your class, you will find the assignment and instructions posted by your teacher. Most likely you will communicate through email or webinars. Your teacher will let you know how to communicate.

ACCESS is a way to get acquainted with students and educators statewide without ever leaving the classroom.

How do I get help if I need it? If you are having trouble with course content, notify your teacher at once. If you do not hear from your teacher within 48 hours contact your regional support center. If you are having technical difficulties, please let your facilitator know and if the facilitator cannot resolve the issue they will call your school or system level technology team.

WHAT DOES 21st CENTURY DISTANCE LEARNING CLASSROOM EQUIPMENT & SERVICES INCLUDE?  • Codec (A codec is technology for compressing and decompressing data)  • 2 Cameras  • 2 LG Monitors and LCD projector  • Interactive Smartboard • 25 tablet computers • Wireless router  • Technical support • Professional Development/ Specialized Training for: - School Administrators, guidance counselors, and other school personnel on the project, management techniques, and evaluation strategies.  - E-teachers (delivery sites)

For more information, please visit http://accessdl.state.al.us