Office of Distance Learning (SEAD)

1- What is Distance Learning?

Distance Learning is the learning mode in which the didactical-pedagogical mediation of the teaching and learning processes happens through the use of communication and information technologies, allowing students and teachers to develop educational activities in different places or times. This definition appears in the Ordinance no. 5622 of 19 December 2005 (which revokes the Ordinance 2494/98) that regulates the Article 80 of the Law 9394/96 (Law of Guidelines and Bases of National Education – LDB).

2- How is Distance Learning present at UFSC?

UFSC uses Distance Learning in internal trainings, outreach and extension projects, institutional projects for public and private institutions, online and on-campus undergraduate programs, as well as in graduate programs.

Distance Learning at UFSC is coordinated by the Office of Distance Learning (SEAD). The Office is responsible for developing internal trainings, institutional projects for public and private institutions, and outreach and extension projects, as well as for institutionalizing Distance Learning by promoting this learning mode in undergraduate and graduate programs. In addition, SEAD houses the Universidade Aberta do Brasil [Open University of Brazil] (UAB) Center, which manages the undergraduate Distance Learning programs offered under the Brazilian Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).

3- Can all of UFSC undergraduate degrees be offered as a Distance Learning program?

Not all of the degree programs can be offered in the Distance Learning mode, as they have to be accredited by the Ministry of Education (MEC). There are around 100 undergraduate Distance Learning programs currently accredited by MEC. You can check them on e-MEC, an online platform which provides updated and detailed information about all the higher education institutions and programs in Brazil.

4- Faculty members: How can I prepare myself and adapt my course contents to Distance Learning?

You have to obtain a certificate from the Innovation in Virtual Teaching course developed by labSEAD and offered by the UFSC Continuing Education Program (PROFOR).

5- Faculty members: Can I offer Distance Learning courses in on-campus programs?

Yes. These are called hybrid programs, which means they will be held mostly on campus with a percentage of Distance Learning courses (from 20% to 40%) forming the program’s curriculum. To be structured this way, a proposal must be included in the Program’s Educational Project and approved by UFSC competent instances. Also, the course instructor must be properly certified to be able to teach Distance Learning courses.

6- How can SEAD contribute to hybrid courses, trainings and projects?

The Office of Distance Learning has multidisciplinary structure to develop educational media and resources, like videos, printed materials, teleconference, videoconference, text revision, information technology and instructional design.

7- How can I enroll in an undergraduate Distance Learning program at UFSC?

To be an undergraduate student in a Distance Learning program at UFSC, you must be selected in the University Entrance Examination (Vestibular) for Distance Learning undergraduate programs. The applications are made online and the exams are sat in person in the city where the local learning center chosen in the application is located. You must have completed secondary school by the time of enrollment in the chosen program. Please note that the University Entrance Examination (Vestibular) for Distance Learning programs is not regular, so in order not to miss the dates, pay attention to the EaD-UFSC and the COPERVE (Permanent Commission for the Vestibular)’s websites.

8- I am already graduated. Do I need to apply for the selection process to enroll in an undergraduate Distance Learning program at UFSC?

In this case, there is a different admission option: when there are seats available for transfer and returning, a Call for Applications is released with the conditions and requirements to apply for such seats. This Call for Applications usually opens two times a year. Check the UFSC Academic Calendar for publication dates.

9- I am pursuing another/the same degree at another/the same institution. Do I need to apply for the selection process to enroll in an undergraduate Distance Learning program at UFSC?

In this case, there is a different admission option: when there are seats available for transfer and returning, a Call for Applications is released with the conditions and requirements to apply for such seats. This Call for Applications usually opens two times a year. Check the UFSC Academic Calendar for publication dates.

10- What is the tuition fee for undergraduate Distance Learning programs at UFSC?

UFSC is a public university; therefore, all the programs are tuition-free, including the Distance Learning ones.

11- Can I study at a local center distant from the city I live?

Yes, it is possible to study at a distant local center, as long as the obligations of the program are fulfilled.

Most part of the contents and course load of UFSC Distance Learning programs are completed in a Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) called Moodle. However, about 30% of the program is completed in person. The activities that have to be done in person are: academic performance evaluations, supervised internships (when required), final project defense (when required), laboratory activities and videoconferences. Usually, there are two in-person meetings per month.

It is not possible to be totally dismissed from the in-person activities, because, in accordance with the article 4 of the Ordinance no. 5622 of 19 December 2005, “the evaluation of the student’s performance for purposes of promotion, studies completion, and diploma or certificate conferral will be carried out through: I – fulfillment of the scheduled activities; and II – completion of in-person exams.”

12- Does UFSC offer any Master’s Distance Learning Program?

No, at least for now, UFSC does not offer any stricto sensu graduate Distance Learning program.

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