Grades are typically based on exams. Many people like the time and location flexibility Telecourses offer. The difference comes in the delivery of the course content. Telecourse instructors' office hours are listed in the course manual. And you're free to call, write, fax or e-mail your instructor any time, and he or she should respond within a day or so.
Most feedback comes during office hours or at the live review sessions.
Textbooks are available through the University Bookstore. You can sell textbooks back to the University of Utah bookstore under traditional buyback guidelines, provided they are in good condition, still being used for the course and are not overstocked. The course manual contains the course syllabus, video overviews and study questions for each lesson. Read each overview and complete the reading assignment before viewing the video. Watch the video and then try to answer the study questions for that lesson.