● Responsible: Following through with duties
● Takes Initiative: Starting thoughts and actions
● Has Perseverance: Being persistent in pursuit of tasks
● Is Industrious: Getting your work done; not procrastinating
● Is Self-Reliant: Having trust in yourself and feeling confident
● Works well with Others: Working as a team toward a common goal
● Has good Organizational, Communication, Reading, and Writing Skills
● Open to various support services offered by the college: tutoring, counseling, library, etc.
Online courses use a learning management system (LMS) to deliver course content, allowing students to submit assignments and communicate with peers and professors. CCCTI’s LMS is OpenLMS (Moodle). From the Open LMS landing page, learners can see grades, go into different courses, and keep up with deadlines with a calendar. Deadlines are often set weekly, and tests may require proctoring through online software or at the campus testing Center Campus. This center can include the CCCTI testing Center or another certified testing center that offers these services.
Faculty also use OpenLMS for asynchronous courses, which allows learners to view recorded lectures and turn in coursework online. The syllabus and grades will be posted in Open LMS for all credit courses.
Distance learning provides another path to taking classes. Students can fit study around work, social, and family time. If you are serious about your education and want the flexibility of being able to take a college course from any location*, then you should consider a distance learning course. To be a successful distance learner, you must be disciplined enough to structure your learning time and be proactive about completing your coursework and communicating with your instructor.
You should have a personal computer/laptop or easy access to one and be familiar with using it for word processing and connecting to the Internet. If you do not own or have access to a personal computer, CCC&TI also provides computers on campus in the Broyhill Center for Learning Resources located in ‘E’ building/2nd floor on the Caldwell Campus and W372 Room 105 on the Watauga campus. Also, computers can be found in the computer labs located in the ‘F’ building/2nd floor on the Caldwell Campus and W372 Room 104, 102, and 100 on the Watauga campus. As another option, with instructor recommendation, students may borrow a Chromebook from the Broyhill Center for Learning Resources (the library) while inventory is available
Coursework is flexible and convenient
● Courses are available on the first day of the semester
● Provides more scheduling options
● Less travel
Not everyone thrives in the Distance Learning Environment
● Usually requires more time and reading
● Requires self-discipline and good time-management skills
● Easy to procrastinate and fall behind
Each CCC&TI Distance Learning course provides many resources to help you succeed, including connections to discussion groups, libraries, writing guides, and a student manual for using all the course resources. To succeed in a distance learning course, you also need the following equipment and skills:
Computer (including mic and camera) and Internet Access: You must either own or have frequent access to a computer and High-speed Internet. You are responsible for making other arrangements if you do not have internet access at home.
Computer Knowledge: You must also know how to use your computer to save files, access those files on your computer, copy files, use word processing, cut, and paste text, copy text, and send and receive email. You must also know how to set up your mic and camera if needed and use some third-party websites, like publisher’s sites.
Note about publisher’s/textbook sites: Always sign up using your CCCTI student email, and if you are given a code to sign up, keep that code until you are done with the course. We recommend taking a picture of it in case you need it again.
Communication: You will need to utilize your student email account to send messages to your instructor and classmates. To access your student email, log in to the MyCCCTI student portal. The portal is located at the top of our college website. Email is the primary way CCC&TI and your instructors will communicate with you. The reply will go to your student email when you send a message through the OpenLMS (Moodle). Some instructors may use Pronto for instant messaging. Confirm the use of Pronto with your instructor before sending messages through the app. Check your instructor’s communication policy in the syllabus.
Up-to-date Browser: Current browser recommendations: Firefox, Safari, Microsoft Edge, or Google Chrome. Some software will be compatible with different browsers. If you are using something that doesn’t seem to be working, switch to another browser. It is recommended you have at least two browsers on your computer.
Asynchronous - instructor and students are not present in the same place at the same time. Instructional materials may be pre-recorded or prepared as a tutorial for self-paced work.
Synchronous - course content is delivered in an instructor-led class on a fixed schedule, with students and instructors present. The classroom may be either physical or virtual.
Traditional (in the classroom)
100% of instruction is delivered face to face with the instructor in the physical presence of students. This is true even when some instructional activities are conducted using web-based technology (always synchronous).
Internet (online)
100% of instruction is delivered online. They usually have structured deadlines and due dates that must be followed. Courses may have proctored testing, but instruction is delivered online (can be synchronous or asynchronous).
Hybrid (both online and in the classroom)
51% - 99% of instruction is delivered online (can be synchronous or asynchronous).
Blended (both online and in the classroom)
50% or less of instruction is delivered online (can be synchronous or asynchronous). Depending on seated time, this could be as little as an assignment per week.
HyFlex (flexible options)
HyFlex is a multi-modal instructional delivery method where the course is delivered seated and via web conferencing synchronously and online asynchronously. Students may attend the regularly scheduled inperson session or via web or participate in the online option on a session-by-session basis. (This definition has not been approved by our system office yet. Check with your instructor for details about your specific course.)
Correspondence Courses (self-paced)
Courses Correspondence courses are part of a formal educational process under which the institution provides instructional materials, by mail or electronic transmission, including examinations on the materials, to students who are separated from the instructor. Interaction between the instructor and the student is limited, is not regular and substantive, and is primarily initiated by the student; courses are typically self-paced.
How do I register for a Distance Learning Course?
The admissions and registration process are the same for all classes.
2. What is the cost of a Distance Learning Course?
CCC&TI tuition rates apply to all classes offered through Distance Learning.
3. Do I need an advisor to take a Distance Learning Course?
Yes, you must have an advisor.
4. How do I recognize Distance Learning courses in the schedule?
View the Distance Learning section of the schedule for a list of courses offered via Distance Learning. Internet courses have section numbers in the 620s. Hybrid courses have section numbers ending in C or W. Video Conference/Highway Room courses have section numbers in the 700s and 780s. Specific notes will be listed beside each class in the schedule.
5. Is Financial Aid available for Distance learning students?
Yes, financial aid is available. Contact the Financial Aid office to see if you qualify.
6. When do distance learning courses begin and end?
Most courses, including online courses, follow the traditional academic calendar. Courses will appear on your OpenLMS (Moodle) site on the first day of your classes. Some courses appear before the start date, but you will not have access to assignments until the course begins.
You may have access to the course syllabus. If so, you should read the syllabus before the registration period ends. Make sure the level of the course is appropriate for you. You may need to explore other options.
7. When will I have access to my Distance Learning courses?
Students will not be able to access their course material until the scheduled first day of class and they have taken the course entry quiz.