Distance Learning Application

CESSI is accepting Distance Learning applications for the 2022 program

Distance Learning Applications for CESSI 2022 have closed. 

In an effort to make CESSI more accessible to everyone, we are opening up a maximum of 2 seats for distance learners. The two students participating as distance learners cannot be in the same class. All students are welcome to apply, however, we wish to emphasize that this is an extremely limited opportunity. If you are interested in applying for distance learning, please read the guidelines and application process below. Students must be available for all hours of classroom instruction (8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. U.S. Central Time) Monday through Friday for the duration of the summer program and will need to meet all computer system and equipment requirements.

Before applying, please read the Guidelines for Distance Learning. 

Guidelines and Directions for Distance Learning

Guidelines for Distance Learning

The purpose of these guidelines is to give you an overview of what it would mean to be a distance learner at CESSI, and to make sure you understand how distance learners will fit into our student body. Some college courses offer distance education options so that a student can study at his or her own pace, or at times most convenient to the student’s schedule. Please be aware that this will not be the case while taking CESSI courses online. Classes will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CST, Mondays through Fridays, during the eight-week summer program. Distance learners are expected to be able to consistently attend classes at that time.

Most students attending CESSI will do so in person. Distance learners will
participate synchronously in the classes electronically via a tablet inside the classroom. The distant student will be “present” on a desk in a language classroom on the tablet, and will connect to the tablet in the classroom via a desktop or high-quality laptop computer. The distant student will be able to hear the instructor and see the blackboard, and the instructor and the rest of the students in class will be able to hear and see the distance student in real time. Distance students are expected to participate in as many aspects of the class as possible – and most aspects will be possible — including participating in small group discussions, skits, attending your teacher’s office hours, etc.

Our instructional staff are experts in language teaching, and many of them have decades of teaching experience. Hybrid teaching, however, is a new experience for many of our instructors, and you should expect that teachers may occasionally run into software or equipment problems requiring technical support. Students should expect to occasionally run into software or equipment problems on their end. In the months and weeks prior to instruction, CESSI staff will work with each individual distance student to work out as many technical glitches as possible, and will similarly assist after classes begin.

Distance students will also need to give careful consideration to the location from which they’ll be participating. Participation from a distant location will require a high speed, wired connection in a location that is free from distractions such as background noise or foot traffic. A café or location with background noise would not provide an appropriate setting, for example. We recommend that distant students utilize the language lab at their home college or university, if possible.

It is imperative that each distance student be at a wired broadband connection, so that all audio and video signals are as fast as possible. You will be expected to work with CESSI staff prior to the beginning of classes to test out your computer equipment and internet connection. It is extremely disruptive to the instructor and classmates when a distance student’s signal is weak, choppy, or frozen. The distant student is responsible for maintaining adequate bandwidth and computer speed to ensure smooth, clear audio and video signals. Distance students who fail to do so will be asked to leave the class until the technical issues are resolved, and no tuition refund will be given to distance students in this circumstance.

The minimum requirements of your computer system for this mode of instruction are well beneath what most computers are typically capable of:
• 2 GB RAM minimum, more recommended
• 20 MB free disk space
• Soundcard
• Headset with microphone/headphones, or speakers and a good-quality echo-canceling microphone.
• Webcam

If at all possible, we recommend that students take advantage of the resources available at local college or university language labs. A typical college language lab offers very high speed internet connections, powerful computers, good-quality headsets, and an environment that is ideal for language learning.

To Apply to Study at CESSI as a Distance Learner

As the application deadline for CESSI has already passed, the distance learning application is only available for those students who have sent in their general CESSI application prior to the April 1 deadline. Distance learning applications are due by Monday, April 11, 2022.

In order to be considered for distance learning, please send the following to cessi@creeca.wisc.edu:

  • a written justification, one page maximum, that addresses the medical, personal, family, professional, or other reasons why you are unable to travel to Madison for classes this summer and how you will ensure that you will be available at the given class times (8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Central Time, Monday-Friday) and be able to make time for sufficient homework/review (4-5 hours daily)