BJ LINC — What We Provide
- BJ LINC Courses
- BJ HomeSat Courses
- Customer Service and Technical Service
- BJ LINC Web Site
- Satellite Dish
- Integrated Receiver Decoder
- Classroom Control Unit
- Notes-Quizzes-Tests
- Student Interactive Response Unit (IRU)
- BJ LINC Second-Channel Instruction
- BJ LINC Receive Only (TVRO)
- Equipment Upkeep and Replacement
BJ LINC Courses
BJ LINC broadcasts live, interactive classes for the upper-level math, sciences, and two foreign languages. We also broadcast prerecorded classes for most K4-12 subjects. Schools are permitted to record and/or view the classes for which they are registered.
Besides the subject-area classes, BJ LINC provides orientation the week before classes start. These special sessions include: (a) technical sessions concerning the BJ LINC equipment, (b) class sessions with the BJ LINC teacher that are designed for the class facilitator, (c) generic "teaching" sessions designed for all teachers, (d) administrative sessions for the site administrator(s), and (e) a parent/teacher open house.
In addition, several times during the school year, BJ LINC broadcasts live, call-in programs called Cracker Barrels, which cover areas of current interest to a Christian school. Another program, BJ LINC X-TRA, is broadcast on selected marginal holidays (non-broadcast days on which many BJ LINC schools are in session) and is intended to benefit faculty and/or students as well as parents. BJ LINC X-TRAs are scheduled during the year, as needed, and will be announced on the monthly Monday Informational Forums.
Dr. Sid Cates, Educational Director of BJ LINC, gives a live update of upcoming BJ LINC events, as well as the grade average and class participation levels, during the Informational Forums. Interactive schools may participate in these forums by logging in on their IRUs. These forums air the first Monday of each month at 12:10 p.m. ET on Channel 4.
BJ LINC also provides an online, monthly newsletter called "The BJ LINC Gazette." The newsletter contains articles written by BJ LINC teachers, facilitators, and students. It is designed to keep schools and parents up to date on events in the BJ LINC classroom and highlight special opportunities that BJ LINC students experience. Look for the "The BJ LINC Gazette" on the first Friday of every month by going to www.bjupress.com/distance_learning/bjlinc/bulletin_board.php.
BJ LINC is also the delivery system for a number of Bob Jones University offerings, including college and laymen courses, films, dramas, and educational workshops.
BJ HomeSat Courses
BJ HomeSat courses consist of all elementary, junior high, and some high school courses. These courses are all non-interactive and are aired in block-feed format twice each week. All BJ HomeSat courses are also offered to BJ LINC schools. A list of these courses is found on the BJ HomeSat Course Registration Form in Section F of this Program Guide. If you have any students that would like to take these courses, please submit the correct form(s). If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call or e-mail.
Customer Service and Technical Service
Our support staff is on duty from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET Monday-Friday. You may call (1-800-876-5462) or e-mail (linc@bjupress.com) if you have questions about the equipment, instruction, and grading or if you experience technical difficulty. Please refrain from having your students call.
BJ LINC Web Site
BJ LINC has a Web site to help keep you up to date on current BJ LINC information. You will find news items, technical updates, troubleshooting tips, broadcast schedules, the monthly calendars for each course, textbook ordering information, "The BJ LINC Gazette," and many other helpful resources online at www.bjlinc.com.
Satellite Dish
The satellite dish collects the signal as it is broadcast from the satellite and focuses it on the module located at the end of the arm in front of the dish. The aiming of the dish is critical to reception, so the ideal location for a dish is above obstructions and out of reach.
Integrated Receiver Decoder
The Integrated Receiver Decoder (IRD) takes the digital BJ LINC signal (literally a data stream) and turns it into picture and sound. The IRD should always be connected to the cable coming from the dish, and it should always be turned on. Even when BJ LINC classes are not in session, we transmit updated information to your IRD on a regular basis. This allows us to maintain the integrity of the network.
Classroom Control Unit
The BJ LINC Classroom Control Unit (CCU) is a computer that collects the data from the students' Interactive Response Units (IRUs) and transmits that information to our host computer in the studio. The CCU also manages voice and data traffic between your location and BJ LINC. The CCU must be turned on and wired to the student's IRU and attached to the telephone system prior to class. The CCU can handle up to 15 students without alterations. If a school has more than 15 students in any one class, a different CCU must be used at an additional cost to the school. Likewise, if a school has at least one interactive class that has more than 23 students, a third variation of the CCU must be used, also at an additional cost to the school. BJ LINC supplies the different CCUs, and the additional cost is passed on to the school.
Notes-Quizzes-Tests
At the beginning of each semester, BJ LINC mails to each site booklets containing the master notes/quizzes/tests, etc., for each BJ LINC and BJ HomeSat class for which the school is registered. It is the responsibility of the site to make copies from the master document for the students. Please let the BJ LINC office know your course intentions by August 1. Course registration forms are found in Section F.
Student Interactive Response Unit (IRU)
Each interactive classroom is supplied with ten student Interactive Response Units (IRUs) under the lease agreement. Each student in the classroom will need his own IRU. This unit contains a standard telephone handset for verbal communication with the teacher. Students also use the IRU to answer all their homework questions as well as quiz and test questions. This data is transmitted electronically to our studios. For classes of more than ten students, you will need to acquire additional IRUs.
It is possible to take down your BJ LINC classroom at the end of each class; however, we recommend leaving the IRUs attached. The IRU should never be plugged directly into a phone outlet since this could damage the unit.
The following costs will be applied when replacing an IRU:
- No Charge - for schools needing a replacement within the first year
- $30 - IRUs that need to be replaced for normal wear and tear
- $90 - IRUs that have been damaged due to student misuse
BJ LINC Second-Channel Instruction
Some BJ LINC schools have purchased second-channel capabilities. These schools have the ability to take any BJ LINC class, specifically two classes that meet at the same time. These schools need additional interactive equipment, a second BJ LINC classroom, one additional dedicated phone line, and a second facilitator. Second-channel capabilities can be purchased from BJ LINC at an additional cost.
BJ LINC Receive Only (TVRO)
Some BJ LINC sites have elected to go solely with no live interactivity and are referred to as a TV Receive Only or TVRO site. Some BJ LINC interactive sites have a second classroom set for TVRO. This is to allow a site to view a BJ LINC class that meets at the same time as a regular, live, interactive BJ LINC class. These classrooms do not need a second satellite dish, phone lines, or interactive equipment.
Equipment Upkeep and Replacement
The programming equipment for BJ LINC is worth thousands of dollars. Most private networks require each site to purchase all of the equipment up front; however, we know this would be a hardship to some schools. Please safeguard the BJ LINC equipment. Keep it in a secure place when school is not in session. We recommend a permanent classroom where the equipment can stay in place. If this is impossible, try to keep the BJ LINC equipment on a cart. If you experience difficulty, call (1-800-876-5462) or e-mail (linctech@bjupress.com) us; we will take care of the servicing.
NOTE: Interactive Response Unit (IRU) damage and abuse at the school will be repaired at the school's expense.
