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Help and Frequently Asked Questions
Distance education courses
- Can I take a distance education course entirely online, including exams?
- What do I need to be able to take a course via distance education?
- Can I attend a class and watch the videos?
- When are videotaped lectures available for viewing?
- Can I take a distance education course at my own pace?
- Are distance education courses offered during the school year?
Academic credit, courses, and programs
- Do students earn academic credit for distance education courses?
- What does the transcript say?
- Can I use distance education courses toward programs at other schools?
- Can I count a distance education course toward a Harvard College degree?
- Who teaches distance education courses?
Technical information
- Do I need to buy a video player to view the lectures?
- Which password do I need to view a lecture?
- How can I test if my computer can play the course videos?
- Why is the lecture audio low or inaudible?
- Can I view the lectures if my system is behind a firewall?
- I’ve downloaded Flash Player. Why can’t I see the videos?
- Why do I get error messages about congestion?
- I have a 56k modem. Can I watch a video?
- Where can I get more information about distance education?
Distance education courses
Can I take a distance education course entirely online, including exams?
Some courses have online exams, and some require on-campus or proctored exams. See the policies governing exams on Exams for Online Courses.
What do I need to be able to take a course via distance education?
You need to have access to a computer system that is capable of streaming the video lectures. See the technical requirements for this information and links to necessary plug-ins. All students intending to take a course via distance education should first view a sample lecture to be sure their system is adequate before registering. It is important to determine this before classes start.
Can I attend a class and watch the videos?
In courses that are offered on campus and online, students may attend lectures in person or watch them online, and many enjoy the benefits of doing both. Some courses, however, are available only online.
When are videotaped lectures available for viewing?
Videotaped lectures are available for online viewing approximately 48 hours after the lecture takes place on campus. Once the link is posted, you can view the lecture video at any time. Lecture videos remain online for the duration of the semester and are taken off line when classes end. Course videos are only available in online streaming format, unless a course is made available as a podcast.
Can I take a distance education course at my own pace?
Distance education and local students follow the same schedule of due dates for assignments and exams. The lag time between the on-campus lecture and the availability of the online video is taken into account when determining these dates. Specific details of course schedules are in individual course syllabi on course websites.
Are distance education courses offered during the school year?
In addition to the Summer School's offerings, the Extension School offers distance education courses during the fall and spring terms.Academic credit, courses, and programs
Do students earn academic credit for distance education courses?
Students taking courses via distance education choose a credit status, earn academic credit, and are graded in the same way as students attending on-campus. Information on which credit status is available for a course is in the individual course description on the Summer School website.
What does the transcript say?
The Summer School does not distinguish between campus and distance students; thus, the transcript does not specify if a course is completed via distance education or not.
Can I use distance education courses toward programs at other schools?
Acceptance of transfer credit is determined by the receiving school, so you should check there to see if the credit is acceptable before taking Summer School courses.
Can I count a distance education course toward a Harvard College degree?
See the information regarding Harvard College academic credit.
Who teaches distance education courses?
Summer School faculty includes Harvard instructors, instructors from other academic institutions, and industry professionals. Instructors and their affiliations are listed in course descriptions.
Technical information
Do I need to buy video player to view the lectures?
The latest free versions of Adobe Flash will play course videos. Adobe Flash is a free download.
Which password do I need to view a lecture?
You may log in to password-protected videos using your Harvard University ID number and PIN. See ID Numbers and PINs for more information.
How can I test if my computer can play the course videos?
There are many ways to test your ability to watch course videos on your computer. In addition to trying the sample videos available on this site, you can test a video on our Flash Video Tests page. Users with a technical background can test system performance using a network test tool available from the Internet2 website.
Why is the lecture audio low or inaudible?
Audio is controlled by 2 sources: the application displaying the lecture video and your computer’s controls. To adjust the volume of a lecture, first use the volume control on the application. If there is no noticeable difference, adjust the volume level in your system’s control panel. Be sure that your system is not set to “mute” and that you adjust any volume controls on headphones.
Can I view the lectures if my system is behind a firewall?
Some firewall administrators block all video streaming into their site. More commonly, problems related to firewalls are the result of configuration errors, either of the browser or the firewall itself. To determine if Flash videos are being blocked by a firewall, please go to our Flash Video Tests page and try test 9.
I’ve downloaded Flash Player. Why can’t I see the videos?
Most problems are the result of an out-of-date version of the Flash Player or difficulty with a proxy/firewall. First download a new copy of the latest version of the Flash Player and ensure it installs properly. Go to Adobe’s version test page to ensure Flash is properly installed. To determine if Flash videos are being blocked by a firewall, please go to our Flash Video Tests page and go to test 9.
Why do I get error messages about congestion?
Network congestion can cause poor or stopped playback. While this is a greater problem for slow connections, such as 56k modems, it can happen at any speed connection. If you are experiencing network congestion select the audio-only option on the Video Preference page.
I have a 56k modem. Can I watch a video?
With a 56K modem you should choose the audio-only option on the Video Preference page. You will hear but not see the instructor. The course slides will appear as well.
Where can I get more information about distance education?
If you are looking for information that isn’t available on this website or individual course websites, call (617) 495-4024 or send an e-mail to dce-distance-ed@harvard.edu.
